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: Janet Meier Strohl
Website: Town Council bios
Social media: Facebook
Other recent coverage:
QUESTIONNAIRE
What is your current occupation or job title?
Merchant Marine Officer Retired
What other memberships or affiliations would you like to list for voters?
Chairman & President Palouse RTPO / IBU Executive Board & Contract Negotiator / Mason Blue & Red Lodge
What professional accomplishment are you most proud of and why?
Rosalia Councilman & @ 40 Bachelor of Science Degree Computer Information Systems
What is your vision for your community and are there any other cities that you see doing things right or would like to emulate?
Identify, assess, and improve town assets to promote our quality of life.
Replace aging infrastructure (water, sewer and streets) Repair old and build new sidewalks for safe walks to school, downtown, or personal enjoyment.
What is your philosophy for guiding new business and housing development? What, if any, role should the council play in recruitment or restriction?
The population growth is already coming our way from Spokane. Our future growth should be managed with our expectations of a small town lifestyle. Our “Norman Rockwell” feeling upon entering Rosalia is one of the first impressions visitors see and enjoy. That and our history since 1872 are qualities we should never lose. Our council should be guided and town managed by the premise that we are stewards of Rosalia and its assets now and in future growth. We must remember to think not only for today but also our future with a planning commission and community involvement.
What would you list as your highest priorities for local infrastructure repairs, expansions or new projects?
Answered above.
What do you consider your community’s greatest housing challenge and what steps would you take to address it?
Planning and infrastructure with community involvement are the challenges.
Do you think your community provides adequate resources for public safety services (police and fire) and what, if anything, would you change?
With regards to public safety, Whitman County currently provides our best option
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?
Three
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?
Low to medium. A Planning Commission with Council and Citizen input is the best combination. It is a three legged stool. Without one leg it loses it’s stability.
Do you support the council enacting policies to address climate change or promote environmental sustainability? If so, what steps would you take?
Yes. At this time we need to make sure our current environment is maintained.
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?
Local arts and culture are our windows to our souls. We have a great town, history and should be proud of it by sharing with all those who come to visit.
If you could wave a magic wand and instantly change one thing about your community, what would it be and why?
We are all human with positives and negatives. The golden rule “Treat others as you would like to be treated” is the best hope hope we can all follow.