The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG – Approximately two dozen citizens showed up to hear from candidates at the April 10 Waitsburg City Elections Candidate's Forum, hosted by the Waitsburg Commercial Club, and held at Town Hall.

The mayoral candidates, incumbent Marty Dunn and Deb Callahan, were on hand, along with incumbent council candidates Karen Gregutt, Kate Hockersmith, Kevin House, and KC Kuykendall, and first-time council candidates Lane Hill, Terry Jacoy, Dave Paxton, and Jim Romine. First-time filers Lisa Morrow and Matt Spring were unable to attend due to illness and work obligations, respectively.

Jim Davison facilitated the meeting and allowed each candidate a one minute introduction, followed by two minutes in which candidates were asked to share their vision for Waitsburg as well as specifics for achieving that goal. The floor was then opened for a question-and-answer session.

Community member Bob Nowell asked Hill, chair of the Fairgrounds Revitalization Committee, why the fairgrounds still isn't being used. Hill said that the committee has received a lot of public input and interest in how to move forward with a mixed-use facility utilized for equestrian use, athletics, and events, while retaining the history and flavor of the race track.

"There are a lot of things to think about. This is the time to get it right in the planning and not rush in," Hill said.

Former mayor Walt Gobel asked Callahan what she had accomplished during her prior three years on the council.

"I stayed on the committee I was put on for three years and not allowed to change. That's why I think committee assignments need to change," Callahan said. "I also offered to help Randy (city manager, Randy Hinchliffe) with grant writing and bought a book out of my own pocket, but he chose to do it himself," she added.

(City officials told The Times later that Callahan served on the Parks/Cemeteries/Pool Committee, the Fairgrounds Committee, the Nuisance/Police/Health Committee, and the Flood Prevention/Emergency Preparedness Committee during her time on council from April 2013 – April 2016.)

Gobel then asked Kuykendall to explain why he kept fairground funds at his home for over a year before turning them over to the council.

"Ask yourself, because you were the mayor at the time, Walt. All decisions were discussed and everything was handled with mayor and council approval," Kuykendall said.

The bulk of the evening's discussion revolved around a suggestion by community member Sarah Groffman to move city council meetings from the fairgrounds Lion's Building to Town Hall, where they had been held in the past. Groffman said meeting at the fairgrounds "feels unfriendly and cloistered."

Citizen Allison Bond agreed, saying that older people would like to attend the meetings but can't navigate the gravel parking lot at the fairgrounds.

"I tried to get them (the meetings) back here and that won't happen," Callahan said.

Gregutt said there is no charge for the city to use the Lion's Building and there is a fee to use Town Hall. "We are also talking a lot about using and revitalizing the fairgrounds, so I think it's good to use that building. It's not that far and people should make the effort to go," she added.

Commercial Club President Joy Smith said the Commercial Club is willing to pay the Town Hall fee for some meetings to be held downtown.

Jacoy stressed the importance of consistency, saying, "There is no uniformity with an alternative meeting place. Meetings need to be at the same time and the same place."

Former council member Karl Newell commented that the "same two or three people" attended meetings when they were held in Town Hall, that currently attend meetings at the Lion's Building.

Bond then asked Hill if she felt a division in her commitment to Waitsburg since her husband lives in Seattle and Hill travels back and forth. Hill said her permanent address is Waitsburg and she lives here three weeks each month.

"My husband is looking toward retirement and recently said he feels more at home here than in Seattle. I'm all in!" she said.

Groffman also questioned Gregutt about her vision statement that all city ordinances be enforced equally and according to the city's charter.

Gregutt said that people come to town and invest in homes and businesses. "We betray those investments if we don't enforce codes in a way that supports each other and if they lose the value of their property or business because they aren't enforced," she said.

Voters will cast one vote for mayor and five votes for city council members. The top five vote-getters will be elected to council. Ballots are in the hands of the voters and must be returned to City Hall by 8 p.m. on April 17 or be postmarked with a date of April 17 or earlier. The election will be certified at the regular April 19 city council meeting.