Rep. Joel Kretz, R-Wauconda, has moved his district office to Omak’s Main Street and hired longtime Okanogan County resident Jessica Buchert as his legislative aide.
     The office previously was located in Colville.
     An open house is scheduled in the new office from noon to 6 p.m. Thursday, May 8, according to Kretz. The office is located at 20 N. Main, Omak.
     “Constituents are welcome to stop by and see the new office and meet with Kretz and Buchert,” according to an announcement from Kretz.
     "I think we have a great new face in the district office,” he said. “Jessica is ready to work with constituents, get up to speed on our district's issues and offer the assistance folks are used to. I look forward to everyone coming by to see our new office and meeting with us."
     Buchert comes to the 7th District office with a small business background, Kretz said. She grew up in Tonasket and graduated from Tonasket High School in 2001.
     Kretz said the quality of applicants for the position was outstanding. The position is demanding and requires a strong skill set, he added.
     The person also must be willing to live in Olympia for part of the year during the legislative session, he said.
     "I am thoroughly impressed with the quality of our 7th District work force," said Kretz. "We continue to have the best folks with excellent skills. It truly made it hard to choose who to hire. I want to make sure everyone who applied knows that I thought they were all excellent candidates and they all made me proud."
     Kretz said it was a difficult choice to move the office to Omak, but with the rising cost of fuel it was the right thing to do. And, he said, it was critical to hire someone who knows the district and has local ties.
     The new office opened April 24. The office number is 826-7203.
     Those who call the Colville office will be directed, by message, to contact the new office, he said.