Gazette offers ‘voters pamphlet’ of contestants for county elections

With the county elections office set to mail voters ballots next Friday, Oct. 16, the Gazette over the next two weeks will offer voters a spotlight on offices up for election in towns throughout Whitman County.

This week includes a look at the candidates on the ballot competing for seats in LaCrosse, Oakesdale and Pullman.

Several offices in these three towns will have only one candidate on the ballot.

In Oakesdale, incumbent Tom Johnson is unopposed for position 5 on the council. Position 4 will be vacant, as Randy Robinson has elected not to run for re-election.

At LaCrosse, Mayor Larry “Butch” Burgess and incumbent councilors Mary Bertrand, Wayne Dainty and Patti Meyer are unopposed in their re-election bids.

Barney Waldrop and Patricia Wright are unopposed on the ballot to retain their respective seats on the Pullman council.

Next week, the Gazette will carry candidate profiles for races in Malden, Palouse and Rosalia.

Dennis Palmer running for mayor

Experience: Employed at Spokane House of Hose, has called Oakesdale his hometown since 1956. President of the Oakesdale Historical Society, current Town Council member.

Goals: Palmer listed restoration of the old drug store and the school tennis courts, as well as finding funding for a heli-pad that would accommodate emergency medical flights as his top priorities. A more vibrant and attractive downtown, Palmer said, would bring more businesses back into town, which would lower the overall tax burden and help keep a stable and healthy student body count in the school. Al Evans running for mayor

Experience: Retired policeman, moved to Oakesdale in the spring of 2006, after which he has restored and currently operates the historic Richfield Gas Station. Vice President of the Oakesdale Historical Society, current Town Council member.

Goals: Evans said he wants to make sure Oakesdale remains an attractive place for families to live through ensuring safety and a low cost of living. He said the town has enough money in its coffers to provide residents a break in fees and taxes. If elected, he said he would not seek an increase in either the town’s tax rate or water/sewer rates. That would attract more families and more business, he said. Bill Paul running for Incumbent on council, Ward 1

Experience: Served on city council since 2000. Worked for 15 years with Standard Oil Co. and 30 years with Farmer’s Insurance Agency. Past president of Pullman Rotary Club.

Goals: Paul believes Pullman is in good standing right now, but is interested in adding more small businesses through smart and sustainable city growth. Jeff Williams running for council position, Ward 1

Experience: Owns Identity Salon Day Spa in downtown Pullman, five years. Before this, owned another hair salon on WSU campus for 10 years.

Goals: Wishes to create tax breaks to encourage more businesses coming to Pullman, to boost city revenue. Also in favor of better prioritizing of core city services.Dave Gibney running for council position, Ward 3

Experience: Has attended city council meetings for the past 10 years and has closely watched city proceedings.

Goals: Gibney believes the city is functioning well, but hopes to keep Pioneer Hill and the Meadows looking more like city neighborhoods rather than campus neighborhoods. He’d like to keep Pullman a good place for seniors to retire.

Jeff Hawbaker running for council position, Ward 3

Experience: Around 17 years at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories.

Goals: Hawbaker said he’d like to see more local businesses in Pullman, to bring in more money through construction taxes. In talks with residents around Ward 3, Hawbaker said some folks are interested in getting a Walmart for the low grocery prices, or having more restaurant choices. Dennis Mackleit running for council Position 2

Experience: Life-long resident of LaCrosse, worked for Pioneer Telephone Company for 44 years before retiring in April.

Goals: Mackleit said he’ll look to find a path forward on the council. He wants to find a way to upgrade the town’s water and sewer systems. Gary Wargo running for council Position 2

Experience: Wargo moved to LaCrosse nine years ago to take over as superintendent of the LaCrosse School District.

Goals: Wargo said he threw his hat in the ring because he wants to serve the community and thinks he could lend insight into the town’s efforts to improve its water and sewer systems.

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