Waitsburg council weighs in

WAITSBURG – With Waitsburg's city election process gearing up, The Times asked the sitting council and mayor to share their personal experiences as well as the pros and cons of serving as a community representative. Each council member responded to the same set of questions.

Mayor Marty Dunn – Served since early 2000s. Mayor from 2004 to 2007 and 2016-2018.

The Times: Why did you originally run for council?

Dunn: Originally, I was on the planning commission and several council members were retiring and asked if I'd be on council. I enjoyed the planning commission and thought council would be good to be a part of. Later, I ended up running for mayor.

The Times: What committees do you currently sit on?

Dunn: Personnel Committee, Finance Committee, which are the committees the mayor is typically involved in.

The Times: What is the most satisfying part about being on council?

Dunn: I like being involved in the inner workings of the city and with the finances. I like being able to be a part of determining how we are going to make Waitsburg stay Waitsburg while staying viable and trying to solve whatever situations and questions come up. I like trying to solve problems for the City and for the people in the city. I care a lot about Waitsburg. I enjoy living here, being here and care for the citizens who live here.

The Times: What have you found to be the biggest challenge?

Dunn: Like any other small town, it's a challenge trying to keep Waitsburg alive and moving forward. We're always looking at where the money to do that is going to come from. We want to make sure citizens have all the necessary services at the best rates.

The Times: Do you have any words of encouragement for others who might be interested in running for city council?

Dunn: Basically, if anyone is interested in political office, they should come to council meetings to get an idea of the structure and how the operation of the City works. If they're interested, they should definitely run. But it's also important for people to just show up and share their thoughts and ideas as a spokesperson for the community, even if they're not interested in being on council. We need people who are willing to be involved in helping the city stay viable and moving forward. If they sit in the audience and offer input or ask questions about something they can help us look at something in a different way or consider something we may have missed. That's what we're there for. To listen to the public and take their comments into consideration, chew on them, and figure out the best thing to do.

Kevin House – Served since 2010

The Times: Why did you originally run for council?

House: I originally ran because I was approached to do it.  I always felt that it was important for people to be willing to step forward and serve civically, or otherwise, and I planned to eventually get around to it myself.  A few years ago, a couple of people gave me a push and put me on their caucus, and it has gone forward from there.

The Times: What committees do you currently sit on?

House: I have mostly been on the same committees during my time on council.  Currently they are:  Budget & Finance; Personnel; Nuisance, Police and Health and the recently formed Tree Committee.

The Times: What is the most satisfying part about being on council?

House: I guess I couldn't fool anybody by claiming that the fame and the pay are the most satisfying things about being on council.  Really, for me, the only satisfying thing about it would be the times when we come up with an idea that helped a little bit with a solution, or worked hard on making a decision where we can feel like we had a little part in making things a little better for this city and the people living here.

The Times: What have you found to be the biggest challenge?

House: What I feel is the biggest challenge to me on council is not an obstacle like in the noun definition, but a question like in the verb definition.  Have we listened and considered the information enough and applied what we feel is our best judgement in the interest of the city when making our vote?  Decisions that affect people are important to those people.  Somebody, at times, is going to be unhappy with the vote, but it shouldn't be personal.  Sometimes the best decision doesn't make me happy either.

The Times: Do you have any words of encouragement for others who might be interested in running for city council?

House: I think the current city council is a pretty effective group. We each have our own set of knowledge and experience and perspective to offer.  I know there's probably a lot of people in town that would have more to offer than I do in those areas than I do and if they are interested in running for council they should.  I'm planning to run again, because the fame and the pay are too good to pass up.

K.C. Kuykendall – Served since 2012

The Times: Why did you originally run for council?

Kuykendall: I was approached in 2012 by then City Council member Orville Branson requesting that I fill a seat vacated by his mid-term retirement.  Upon unanimous approval of the council and mayor I humbly accepted the appointment and have continued to serve with my friends and neighbors on Council in the important work of managing our local legislative process.

The Times: What committees do you currently sit on?

Kuykendall: I have participated in our Public Works, Safety, and Finance committees over the years, along with the Planning Commission, Shoreline Management Planning, and maintain a primary emphasis on representing Waitsburg and SE Washington interests in Olympia through my roles on the Public Works Board and Association of Washington Cities Board of Directors.

The Times: What is the most satisfying part about being on council?

Kuykendall: It's both an honor and responsibility, I think, to be a productive part in local government.  Rather than complaining about what's wrong all the time, I'd rather play a small part in helping ensure that our laws and policies promote the views and values that important to our citizens.

The Times: What have you found to be the biggest challenge?

Kuykendall: Gaining consensus among my fellow council members isn't always possible.  Often we make our case and cast our votes from opposing positions, but then walk away as friends and neighbors.  The same is true with respect to the public at large.  There almost always are a few folks who disagree with our final decisions.  My hope is that we continue to improve in our ability to engage the community on important issues, so we can make informed decisions.  It's difficult to get people to carve out valuable time to attend meetings and workshops.  But we always do a better job in the end when they do.

The Times: Do you have any words of encouragement for others who might be interested in running for city council?

Kuykendall: An effective City Council requires people with varied backgrounds, interests, and experiences, working together to create the community they want.  I've been blessed to serve with some wonderful people in the few years I've been on council.  New faces and familiar faces have come and gone.  I trust that will continue.  Great things happen when honest average people are motivated to take part in this amazing process. Waitsburg has a bright future.  I expect we are going to see some pretty cool things happen over the coming years.  And I'm excited to be a part of it!

Kate Hockersmith – Served since 2016

The Times: Why did you originally run for council?

Hockersmith: I moved to Waitsburg almost thirty years ago and have a long history of community service and city involvement.  I decided to run for city council at the request of friends and neighbors.  My particular interests are protecting the historical nature of our city, respecting the community as a whole (local farmers and city residents), and making sure Waitsburg remains a great place to raise children.

The Times: What committees do you currently sit on?

Hockersmith: I'm a council representative on the Emergency Preparedness Committee, Fairgrounds Committee, Tree Committee, and Parks/Cemetery/Pool Committee.  I think the committees are important because they allow council members to focus on areas of interest and they encourage citizen participation in government. Committees become workgroups, delving into the details of issues, and as such they can offer invaluable advice to council members and the mayor.

The Times: What is the most satisfying part about being on council?

Hockersmith: I feel, as a citizen, that we have an obligation to support our city and community.  Volunteering, whether it is with a club, non-profit, school or government is a great way to meet people and build the kind of community we want to live in.  I've learned a lot about Waitsburg, its history and our local government.

The Times: What have you found to be the biggest challenge?

Hockersmith: Waitsburg recently celebrated its 150th birthday, so it should come as no surprise that we have aging-infrastructure issues.  Waitsburg needs to develop a long term, strategic plan to address issues with the water/sewer system, the maintenance of city owned property and revitalization of the downtown business district.

The Times: Do you have any words of encouragement for others who might be interested in running for city council?

Hockersmith: Yes, I do have words of encouragement!  Run for city council, join a committee, volunteer at an event... it's a great opportunity!  You will gain a better understanding of your city government, your neighbors, meet lots of new friends, and set a great example for future generations.

Terry Jacoy – Served Since 2017

The Times: Why did you originally run for council?

Jacoy: I was unhappy with my water bill rate increase and I thought if I ran and got on the City Council I could have some effect there.

The Times: What committees do you currently sit on?

Jacoy: Water/Sewer/Streets, Parks/Cemeteries/Pool

The Times: What is the most satisfying part about being on council?

Jacoy: I was on the school board and the Days of Real Sport board for several years and when I retired I thought that having lived here as long as I have that it would be an opportunity to do something worthwhile and be a participant rather than just sit on the side and complaining when things didn't seem right.

The Times: What have you found to be the biggest challenge?

Jacoy: Over the last two years government is run a whole lot different than private business and the customer – in private business you're there to provide a service to the customer at a fair and equitable price. Service is the one determining factor that makes a company successful. Municipalities, I thought, would work the same way, but over the last two years I've found that not every resident in the city really gets a voice or gets listened to or even wants to participate. And that's a little disheartening sometimes.

The Times: Do you have any words of encouragement for others who might be interested in running for city council?

Jacoy: Come to the council meetings to get an idea of how it works before you decide. Have some kind of objective in mind. Don't get discouraged.

Jim Romine – Served Since 2017

The Times: Why did you originally run for council?

Romine: I was asked by other council members.

The Times: What committees do you currently sit on?

Romine: Public Safety and Flood/Emergency Management.

The Times: What is the most satisfying part about being on council?

Romine: Trying to solve Waitsburg's problems.

The Times: What have you found to be the biggest challenge?

Romine: Lack of Communication.

The Times: Do you have any words of encouragement for others who might be interested in running for city council?

Romine: People need to serve, share their ideas and learn how the City operates within the law and regulations.