Two Tekoa races: Ex-mayor Jaeger files for council

Garth Meyer, Gazette Reporter | May 23, 20190

John Jaeger, who resigned last October after 11 years in office as Tekoa's mayor, filed to run for city council.

He will vie for position no. 3, held by Bethany Fletcher, who also filed for election to the nonpartisan office. Fletcher was appointed last fall to fill the seat of Jason Fletcher, who resigned.

Jaeger was elected to his third term as Tekoa mayor in 2016 and was never opposed. He previously served on the town council for one year.

After Jaeger's resignation as mayor, Councilman Troy Wilson took over as mayor pro-tem and was later appointed mayor by the council. Wilson filed May 13 for a full four-year term.

“I just needed to take a break, so I wouldn't be worrying so much about stuff. I thought maybe the council needed someone about half-crusty,” Jaeger said.

Jaeger noted issues facing the city that he thought were important: the Iron Horse Arena ground being returned to the Union-Pacific railroad, the roof cave-in at the former Keith Andersson building and the Department of Ecology requirements to upgrade the town's sewer treatment plant.

“I'd like to be involved in decisions that are important to the community,” said Jaeger. “I still have time and energy... I think I could be more effective as a council member, there's less politics involved.

Another contested city council race for Tekoa in November is for position no. 5, to replace retiring longtime councilman John Guidice. The two candidates are Pete Martin, retired county coroner and B.J. Sperber, an employee of Seeds, Inc.