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: Andrew Stewart
Website: City Council bios
Social media: None
Other recent coverage:
Whitman County Gazette: City hall candidates slated for forum
Whitman County Gazette: Retzer, incumbents file for mayor seats
QUESTIONNAIRE
What is your current occupation or job title?
Nolan Heating
What other memberships or affiliations would you like to list for voters?
Position 4 Colfax City Council
What professional accomplishment are you most proud of and why?
N/A
What is your vision for your community and are there any other cities that you see doing things right or would like to emulate?
My vision might start with welcoming and inviting visitors as they travel though our town. With our unique location I think it’s important for visitors to understand why we love Colfax and to feel welcome.
What is your philosophy for guiding new business and housing development? What, if any, role should the council play in recruitment or restriction?
I’m not sure why the council wouldn’t support new business or housing development into Colfax unless the business was something that would bring the wrong traffic through town.
What would you list as your highest priorities for local infrastructure repairs, expansions or new projects?
(Declined to answer)
What do you consider your community’s greatest housing challenge and what steps would you take to address it?
I think our greatest housing challenge would be our location and how our community is locked into a tight valley, now with that said we do have the ability to expand outside our city limits as we did with Houser edition.
Do you think your community provides adequate resources for public safety services (police and fire) and what, if anything, would you change?
I would not change anything with my confidence in our fire department, good leadership and personal. At this time I have no comment on the police department.
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?
Two
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 my tax rates low.
Do you support the council enacting policies to address climate change or promote environmental sustainability? If so, what steps would you take?
N/C
What do you think of existing local regulations on cannabis businesses and production operations?
Generally appropriate
What, if any, role do you think the council should play in promoting local arts, cultural events or tourism?
As much as possible!
If you could wave a magic wand and instantly change one thing about your community, what would it be and why?
Living here for almost 58 years I have seen a lot happen in Colfax. The older I get the more I appreciate where I live. We have a great community, great schools, first class hospital and doctors. Churches with awesome leadership for our youth! Waving a magic wand would only sound greedy to me, not much to criticize about Colfax!