Three candidates vie for City of Dayton mayor Position

DAYTON-Dayton City council members Delphine Bailey, Mike Paris, and Zac Weatherford are in the running to be Dayton's next mayor. Voters living inside the City will get the chance to decide which two will advance to the November general election when ballots are mailed out this week for the August 6 primary election.

Delphine Bailey

Bailey said she understands how to work within the guidelines of state and federal grant programs, and she understands the importance of maintaining the city's assets and staying within budgets.

She said the city needs to focus on creating affordable housing and on plans to build a wastewater treatment facility that will meet the objectives established by the Department of Ecology.

During her seven years on city council Bailey said she has served on all but one committee. She has worked on the West End Beautification Project and currently serves on the Planning and Public Works Committee.

"Anyone can take on the leadership title, but we need someone who has the ability to lead in such a manner that others will want to follow," Bailey said. "I believe that by being out and about in the community, I have a real feel for what the people of Dayton want. . . I may not always be able to solve the problem, but I promise I will listen and do my best to find a solution that works for everyone involved."

"It has been an honor to serve on the Dayton City Council, and whether I am elected mayor, or not, I plan to continue my service to the City of Dayton," she added.

That service has included stints as a past chairman for Relay for Life and sitting on the board for Project Timothy, as well as volunteerism with Mule Mania and All Wheels Weekend.

Bailey is a community health worker with the county public health department. A native of Columbia County, Bailey and her husband, Dave, have two daughters, both of whom have graduated from Dayton High School. They have been blessed with one grandchild.

Mike Paris

During his six years on the Dayton City Council, Mike Paris said he has learned how city government works and he enjoys connecting with other people who are serving in government.

Paris said the new wastewater treatment issue figures large on his list of priorities for the city.

"We're under the gun and need to get a plan going," he said.

He said he understands how higher utility rates are impacting people who are struggling to pay their bills and believes a plan should be formulated to address that issue.

Economic growth is also high on Paris' list of priorities for the city.

He said while the city is limited by physical constraints as to how much development can take place, there is some room for additional housing, and he said affordability is the key to serving the people of Dayton.

Paris said he also supports the efforts of the Friends of the Dayton Community Center, who are working to replace the defunct city pool with an indoor pool, senior center and daycare center.

"Working with people is my calling," Paris said.

Paris has worked as a drug and alcohol counselor, as well as for a state program for displaced homemakers. He said he also knows something about the challenges of farming through his work on the Howard family farm.

Paris has lived in Dayton for eighteen years and currently works at Dayton General Hospital as a Community Health Worker.

He has six daughters and one son.

Zac Weatherford

Zac Weatherford has served on the city council since January 2016. He was nominated as mayor pro-tem at the beginning of 2019 and he currently serves as Dayton's interim mayor.

Weatherford said he finds the diversity of ideas and perspectives on the city council to be personally fulfilling.

During his time on council Weatherford has served on the Planning and Public Safety Committees and has been the chairman of the Finance Committee.

Completion of the wastewater treatment plant project, providing youth with good sports and recreation programs, along with providing the city with clean, safe parks, are on his list of priorities.

Weatherford said he would like to see the City's youth involved and embracing a strong work ethic. He also supports the creation of a new community center and swimming pool.

Weatherford said there are a large number of citizens in Dayton who are living on fixed incomes and enhancing and promoting the city, while keeping costs low, is important.

Adding new urban growth zones for residential development and tackling the issue of affordable housing is important, as well, he said.

"I believe the most important and valuable asset to our town is its people. With so many accomplished and skilled people residing here, the opportunities to learn and be successful are endless," Weatherford said.

He said his passion to help people has grown through his work at City Lumber and Coal, where he was employed for nine years, and with the Department of Corrections at the Washington State Penitentiary, where he is currently employed as a corrections officer.

"I want to be mayor, not to serve myself, but to solve problems and improve the lives of members of our community," he said.

Weatherford and his wife Melissa have two children and they have lived in Dayton for twelve years. The November general election will determine who will be Dayton's next mayor. That term will begin on Jan. 1, 2020 and runs for four years.