Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Primary election reduces two races for town council
A member of the public stands to ask a question at the July 17 League of Women Voters forum in Malden. It was under a tent next to the Pine Creek Community Restoration trailers.
MALDEN - Candidates for Malden town council and mayor offices offered a wide assortment of information and answers from corruption to the way of life.
The League of Women Voters organized the candidate forum on July 17 in the town park. Under a tent next to the temporary town library and food bank, the two-hour event featured questions and answers, and opening and closing statements.
Council candidates include a woman who lost everything in the Labor Day 2020 fire, another whose 82-year-old mother lost her house, a "confessed millennial" who grew up in Malden and served as class president every year, a soft-spoken guy with a short beard, and a retired man questioning the need for Facebook as a key information source for a town with a population of under a hundred people.
Candidate Brad Harrison suggested corruption was in the background of city actions and talked in strong terms against an ordinance that was threatening his classic vehicle collection.
"Lot of corruption in this town. People are sick of it," said Harrison. "I don't want big town crap in this town. We're a small community. Simple life."
"All this backstabbin' bullcr*p is gonna go," said council candidate Heidi Lindgren.
Mayor Dan Harwood said he brings experience and compassion. He talked about water grants to address the loss of a private well.
"My wage is triple digits now," he said. "It starts with zero and ends with zero."
Council candidate Janell Turner said her mother lost 82 years of memories in the fire and that, "If I need to be contrary, I will be contrary, but positive."
"What I really want is for our community to get back to where we were," said Ben Hale, 28, another council candidate. "When a forest burns, it comes back more beautiful than before."
John Lenz, the retired council candidate, said he would like to grow the community but keep the small-town essence.
Turner said the biggest thing she brings is creativity.
"I confess, I'm a millennial," Hale said. "What I'll bring is the next generation. First-time homebuyers ... People are looking for that Mayberry lifestyle."
The subject of code enforcement was discussed by candidates.
"We all have heart. We all give a dang. A big dang, about you," Turner said.
Hale talked about animals.
"I want them but ... all animals stink ... I don't think we can do it," he said.
A beeper went off and was deciphered as the timer from the League of Women Voters.
Harrison talked about codes.
"We're getting pushed, my classic vehicles ... I'm getting threatened with fines. The rules from up there (Spokane) got brought down here," he said. "I'm putting up a fence ... It takes time. Back off, it's getting done. I know I come across as kind of hard. I don't play no games."
A question came from the audience about corruption.
"I don't know. I'd like to find out what it is," said Harwood.
"If there is, please bring it to our attention," Turner said.
Hale said there was nothing he could see.
Council candidate Scott Schauf said he had not heard the rumors.
Turner talked about septic systems and how they need to be a certain size, bigger than before. The current lots are too small and the county reportedly stops people from building.
"It takes time to rebuild a town," said Harrison, a retired UPS worker.
"It takes time to rebuild your soul," said Lindgren, who is running against Hale.
Harrison said he put a shop up and got an ordinance threat.
Harwood said that "the nuisance ordinance we have has been in town for many years."
A question came about communication.
Facebook Live, Zoom, call-in, a reader board, were mentioned, and Harwood gave out his phone number.
"The citizens have a responsibility to talk to us," he said.
"We can't ask a question we don't know nothing about," said a member of the public.
A question followed about living in fifth-wheels and how long it will be permitted.
Lenz noted a cut-off date of Oct. 1.
"Hopefully they will extend it out a year, even two," he said.
Harwood said he anticipates five to eight Amish houses coming and another five to be built by Mennonites.
"Making deadlines is not about being mean," said Turner, talking about the mobile home rule. "It is to not lose a life. After the fire, we're working on ways to extend it, but it has to be safe."
Hale lives in a 40-foot camper with his wife and four kids since their house burned.
"It sucks in the winter," he said. "Nobody is going to kick you out. We just want people to be making plans."
Not present at the forum were council candidates Scott Hokonson, Kelly Adams, and Colleen Cross.
Harwood, a longtime Malden fire chief, retired in 2018 from managing the Palouse-Rock Lake Conservation District. He noted the fire department lost more than $200,000 in equipment during the Labor Day fire.
Turner manages a physical therapy clinic in north Spokane.
Hale said he always liked politics and spent some time at the University of Idaho in political science but did not graduate. He has worked in the steel industry since he was 18.
Lenz was a road construction worker, miner, and logger.
More than half of the city council is running in the election.
"Conflict means there is passion, and that's good," said Hale.
The last question was about a vision for Malden.
Harwood talked about 48 people who are now paying water bills in town. There's potential for 96 people to come back. The town had a population of about 210 before the fire.
"We will have fiber optics. We will have the water system paid off, (and) the septic system ready," he said. "We will have the community building with the library and food bank within three years."
Turner said the septic system matter ... "so you don't need two lots to put up one home," she said.
"I'd like to see all the lots filled with houses," said Hale. "People ask where Malden is and you say by Rosalia. I'd like for people to ask where Rosalia is and you say, 'It's by Malden.'"
"I just want some calm waters," said Harrison. "I love this town ... Spokane can stay where it's at."
Schauf said he would like "actual businesses."
"Growth, people moving back and some businesses in town," he said.
"Progress is the answer," Hale said. "Starting with when we're tearing things apart is the best time to do everything."
Lenz talked about building his uncle's house on a weekend.
Harrison offered dirt work "free of charge" on his tractor.
Harwood said the town has a commitment from the Red Cross to supply funds to buy materials for about 10 houses.
The hope is for foundations to be laid this fall and construction to follow from December through February.
"People nationwide want to help us. Internationally people want to help us," Harwood said. "We have to, as a community, talk about this fire. We have to talk from our hearts, from our soul."
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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