The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Dayton City council members Delphine Bailey and Zac Weatherford are on the ballot to be Dayton's next mayor. Cindi John is running as a write-in candidate. Voters will get the chance to hear from the candidates at a candidate forum on Thursday, October 9 at 7:00 p.m. at Dayton's Liberty Theatre.

City Council candidate Cara James will also be present, as will the following unopposed candidates: Dain Nysoe running for Dayton City Council Position #4, Ryan Ryndell running for Columbia County Commissioners District 01, Position #1, Bob Hutchens for Public Hospital Commissioner, and Katy Leid for Dayton School Board.

Delphine Bailey

Bailey said she understands how to work within the guidelines of state and federal grant programs, and she understands the importance of maintaining the city's assets and staying within budgets.

She said the city needs to focus on creating affordable housing and on plans to build a wastewater treatment facility that will meet the objectives established by the Department of Ecology.

Delphine Bailey has served for seven years on city council and said she has served on all but one committee. She has worked on the West End Beautification Project and currently serves on the Planning and Public Works Committee.

Bailey is a community health worker with the county public health department. A native of Columbia County, Bailey and her husband, Dave, have two daughters, both of whom have graduated from Dayton High School. They have been blessed with one grandchild.

"Anyone can take on the leadership title, but we need someone who has the ability to lead in such a manner that others will want to follow," Bailey said. "I believe that by being out and about in the community, I have a real feel for what the people of Dayton want. . . I may not always be able to solve the problem, but I promise I will listen and do my best to find a solution that works for everyone involved."

Zac Weatherford

Zac Weatherford has served on the city council since January 2016. He was nominated as mayor pro-tem at the beginning of 2019 and he currently serves as Dayton's interim mayor.

During his time on council Weatherford has served on the Planning and Public Safety Committees and has been the chairman of the Finance Committee.

Completion of the wastewater treatment plant project, providing youth with good sports and recreation programs, along with providing the city with clean, safe parks, are on his list of priorities.

Weatherford said there are a large number of citizens in Dayton who are living on fixed incomes. Enhancing and promoting the city, while keeping costs low, is important.

"I believe the most important and valuable asset to our town is its people. With so many accomplished and skilled people residing here, the opportunities to learn and be successful are endless," Weatherford said.

Weatherford and his wife Melissa have two children and they have lived in Dayton for twelve years. The November general election will determine who will be Dayton's next mayor. That term will begin on Jan. 1, 2020 and runs for four years.

Cindi John

Write-in candidate Cindi John grew up in Waitsburg, WA where she worked for local farmers pulling rye, picking apples and driving harvest trucks. She has had a long career as a long-haul truck driver, and has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Human Resources.

Her goal as Mayor is to "bring back the best of our hometown spirit and help us grow." She describes herself as future-oriented, community minded and resourceful. Her goals as Mayor include fixing the current city pool or building a new one, and says "We need a wastewater treatment plant as our first priority."

Together with her husband Tom she runs a community garden called Crooked Fences. She has three sons, and between her husband and herself, is blessed with 17 grandchildren.