The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

If there was a "People's Choice" award it would go to incumbent Kevin House who has consistently garnered the highest community vote since he was first elected to council in 2010 under the "Truth & Trust" slate.

House moved to Walla Walla and began working for The McGregor Company in Waitsburg in 1996. By 2003 he and wife, Christy House, decided that Waitsburg was where they wanted to live long term and raise their two sons.

"Some of my background that has been helpful as a council member is my degree in Ag Business and one in Resource Economics. I spent enough time working in economic development and research to know that I needed to find another line of work, but know enough to still understand it," House said.

In addition to serving on City Council, House is active in Lions Club and has been involved with many youth activities – from sports to Scouts to 4-H and FFA – as his sons have grown.

"I think I can bring to council the perspective of someone that works for a business operating in the city, and also of a working family raising their kids here," he said.

In a broad sense, House says it is the responsibility of the council to work toward enhancing the viability and livability of a community of Waitsburg's size with varied demographic and potential economic challenges.

"One of the council's greatest challenges is (and should be) to identify priorities or visions for the city and try to evaluate the ideas and agendas brought forward by both staff and citizens for further development of those visions. Things like the fairgrounds, Main Street development, tourism, flood control, etc.," House said.

"As a person with a full-time job and other commitments, I'm not going to kid anyone by saying I'm going to charge out and personally tackle anything. I think a council person can effectively serve by listening and applying their informed judgment in the best interests of the city and ultimately, the citizens," he added.