Waitsburg city elections see return candidates

WAITSBURG-The Waitsburg City Elections are scheduled to be held on April 6, 2020. The City Council has three seats open, after council members K.C Kuykendall, Kate Hockersmith, and Terry Jacoy decided not to run for re-election this year.

Karen Gregutt is on the ballot for a return seat on the City Council. She hopes that by contributing her professional experience, she will bring fresh ideas to Waitsburg and its citizens. Gregutt's career includes 30 years as the managing partner at Kaye-Smith Productions in Seattle, producing and directing commercials and documentaries for recognized companies, brands and non-profits. Gregutt and her husband, Paul, purchased their first home in Waitsburg in 2005 and moved to the town full time in 2011. In addition to completely restoring their 140 year old historic cottage and its gardens, the couple subsequently invested in four other historic cottages in town, while beginning the renovation of the Fender Building on Main Street, now owned by Ten Ton Coffee.

Gregutt's community involvement goes all the way back to 2006, when she founded the Waitsburg Garden Club. In 2010, Gregutt joined the City Planning Commission, which she currently serves as chairman. In 2016, Gregutt was selected to finish Marty Dunn's term on the city council after he became mayor. Gregutt says that her greatest desire is to guide Waitsburg towards thoughtful growth that nurtures our institutions, protects our neighborhoods, and revitalizes our downtown.

Dave Paxton has been a Waitsburg resident for nearly six years and ran for City Council in 2018. Paxton owns a chip repair business and is currently the chairman of the Waitsburg Christian Church Board. Paxton said he volunteered for flood relief efforts through his church where he learned about many of the towns residential and commercial needs. As a city council member he looks forward to representing the people and businesses of Waitsburg, working with fellow City Council members to come up with solutions.

Karl Newell has been a resident of Waitsburg for 14 years and has served on the Waitsburg City Council for seven years from 2008 to 2017. Karl is a retired electrician and has been a member of IBEW for 51 years. During his career he worked on both national and international projects including the U.S. Embassy in the former Soviet Union, dams on both the Snake and Columbia Rivers, the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, the Boardman Cheese Plant and numerous housing and apartment complexes. He is married with two children and four grandchildren. He enjoys working to help and improve the community with the many volunteers he has met throughout the years.

Jim Romine is a lifelong resident of Walla Walla County and city council incumbent running for his fourth City Council term. He retired from the Walla Walla County Sheriff's Office after 37 years of service. Romine currently serves as president of the Waitsburg Town Hall Board, chairman of the Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters 1 Disability Board. In addition to these positions, Romine also serves on the Walla Walla County Civil Service Board and is a member of the Waitsburg Lions Club. During his time on the City Council, Romine was asked to represent the council on the Flood and Emergency Preparedness Committee, and has worked to update the emergency plan, including establishing a command center and alternative command center and setting up HAM radio and other crucial response tasks. Romine says he has much more he would like to contribute to the community, and, if re-elected, he hopes to be involved with the Personnel Committee to help assist, evaluate and mentor city staff. Romine says he is readily available to talk with citizens about any concerns, and he will continue to listen to the people of Waitsburg.

Incumbent council member Kevin House joined the Waitsburg City Council in 2010, after being selected as a candidate during the "Truth and Trust" caucus. A service manager for The McGregor Company, House says he looks at decisions as both a business operator and a resident, considering all possible impacts before making a vote. House hopes to continue implementing long term projects like the flood control planning and improving city infrastructure, as well as regular business that comes to the council, and doing so in a way that is justifiable for the citizens of Waitsburg and their dollar.

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, Waitsburg City Hall is currently closed. City ballots may be placed in the city payments dropbox until 8 p.m. on April 6.