The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Incumbent Karl Newell was elected to the city council under the 2010 Truth & Trust slate and is running for his seventh term.

Newell moved to Waitsburg from Boardman, Ore. in 2005. He began his career working as a journeyman electrician in 1962 and spent 1966-68 in the army doing “a little bit of everything.” He said his extensive work experience provides him with an understanding of zoning, covenants, layout, and building and housing requirements, which has come in helpful at council meetings.

Newell is an active member of the Commercial Club and the American Legion. He has been president of the Town Hall Association and is currently serving as Past President.

Newell said his number-one goal for Waitsburg is to encourage the community to shop locally.

“I want to get people involved and using the businesses we have here in town, but a lot of people run to Walmart and don’t look here first. That’s a problem. The community needs to take advantage of what’s here and not go somewhere else,” he said.

“First we need to get the people who are already here, to use the businesses here. Then we can worry about bringing new businesses to town. Until people support the ones that are here, we can’t get more to come to town,” he added.

Newell is also a strong proponent for supporting the schools and teachers and wants to make sure taxpayer dollars are spent right.

“I question the bills a lot at council meetings because I want to make sure we’re spending money in the right way,” he said.

Newell said he has enjoyed his time on the council and that it has been a positive challenge.

“It’s something I’d never done before. Basically, I’m just trying to do something good for the city,” he said.