For the 2019 Voters Guide, we emailed town and city candidates a set of 14 questions on professional experience, local priorities and general issues. We have included those questions and the unedited responses. We have noted when candidates left questions unanswered. We have also provided links to candidate websites, campaign funding reports and other local media coverage when available.
Any questions or suggestions should be sent to: whitmancowatch@gmail.com
CANDIDATE BACKGROUND
Running against: Dominic Villareal
Website: City Council bios
Social media: None
Other recent coverage:
Whitman County Gazette: City hall candidates slated for forum
QUESTIONNAIRE
What is your current occupation or job title?
Public Works Director/Farm Manager
What other memberships or affiliations would you like to list for voters?
None
What professional accomplishment are you most proud of and why?
None
What is your vision for your community and are there any other cities that you see doing things right or would like to emulate?
A city that efficiently delivers good public services in a cost-effective manner. A city that maintains its rural character and quality of life.
What is your philosophy for guiding new business and housing development? What, if any, role should the council play in recruitment or restriction?
Our city council should allow the private sector to determine where it wants to locate and do what we can to help new business and housing establish; however, we have to make sure adequate infrastructure is provided to serve each new development.
What would you list as your highest priorities for local infrastructure repairs, expansions or new projects?
Our challenge is to properly maintain and upgrade our infrastructure systems within the revenue constraints present in local government.
What do you consider your community’s greatest housing challenge and what steps would you take to address it?
Available land which is suitable for development. Ensure that there is an adequate supply of residential-zoned land within and immediately adjacent to the city limits.
Do you think your community provides adequate resources for public safety services (police and fire) and what, if anything, would you change?
Yes. Public safety services are very expensive to provide. They are a large percentage of the general fund. Each year, the city’s revenues do not keep up with the cost increases associated with providing these services. At some point the city may have to look at a special levy to fund police and fire services.
How would your rank your expectations for council/city government transparency on a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 indicating a discrete approach to governing and 5 indicating a proactively open approach?
Four
Do you consider your community’s tax rates high or low? As a steward of taxpayer dollars, how do you approach balancing demands for city service against the citizen tax burden?
I consider the city’s tax levy to be low. Since I have been on the council, the city’s tax levy has been limited to no more than a 1% increase each year.
Do you support the council enacting policies to address climate change or promote environmental sustainability? If so, what steps would you take?
I don’t view this as a local issue. No, I would not vote to enact any climate change policies. There are costs associated with “environmental sustainability.” Those costs could be the difference between a project we need moving forward for the good of the community, or not. There is nothing wrong with working to achieve environmental sustainability.
What do you think of existing local regulations on cannabis businesses and production operations?
Marijuana production and sales should be banned
What, if any, role do you think the council should play in promoting local arts, cultural events or tourism?
The council should do whatever it can to foster these types of activities.
If you could wave a magic wand and instantly change one thing about your community, what would it be and why?
Nothing.