October 18, 2007

Mayoral candidates state their positions

By Jennifer Larsen

News editor

Mayoral candidates Linda Kadlec and Harry Schafer were the final portion of last Wednesday’s candidates’ forum at the Ritzville Elementary School gym sponsored by the American Association of University Women.

The first question from the podium for the mayoral candidates was what new idea or approach would they take to establish a better and complete water system in Ritzville.

Kadlec said looking into a new well is the top priority, as is addressing the water rights issue. One of the first things she’d strive for is to start renovation of the city sewer line and infrastructure.

Schafer would focus on a new well. He explained that Well No. 8 strained all summer to supply the city. “We need a new well and we need it now.”

The next question aimed at Schafer was how to sell a safety program to the public to address the rising crime rate and how would the program be funded.

“I think we have a very good law enforcement structure in the city. Rising crime is happening all over the nation. I don’t think it’s increasing as much in Ritzville.”

He suggested increasing the number of police officers as the population increases, as well as providing youth something to do because most incidents of crime are because of boredom.

Kadlec said the city has faced its fair share of crime, including drug dealer issues in which the county and local police worked diligently to bring to justice.

“We, like many other small cities and towns, have a crime rate… We have a more than adequate law enforcement here.”

The downtown district was the focus of the next question: a viable downtown district is the heart of a community. Is Ritzville’s heart beat strong or ill, and how would you make sure the downtown area continues to not only beat but is healthy.

Kadlec summed it up in three words. “Main Street Program. We need to create reasons to bring people downtown, create reasons for people to travel to Ritzville.”

And she said “It’s one business at a time, one building at a time. Revitalization takes years… As mayor I want to see every storefront filled, people milling about. I believe it will happen.”

Schafer echoed similar words. “Right now it’s right between the two extremes. We have a downtown that is rebounding. It’s going to take promotion, promotion, promotion of Ritzville to other towns, out of county and to residents…. I think Ritzville will develop. I want to see it develop.”

For the last predetermined question, candidates were asked about their management style.

“I’m a person that believes in the chain of command,” Schafer said. “We have heads of departments. It’s up to those heads.” Once elected, he explained, he would evaluate how everything works and how each department functions.

“I am a person of strength,” Kadlec said. “I am not afraid to stand up for what I believe in… They needn’t think that because I’m a woman things are going to be easier.” Through her years on the council, Kadlec said that she’s seen the workings of the city and understands the cost of doing business.

One question from the floor asked candidates what new businesses they’d like to see and how would they get them here.

“I would love to see any of the biofuels… I see a very viable option there and Ritzville could see a profit from this.”

She would explore any and every opportunity, search any and all avenues to encourage business to locate in Ritzville.

Schafer would like to see more service-type businesses, especially light industrial. “We need something that will provide jobs. The problem we have is having the infrastructure to handle these businesses,” he said, referring to the lack of water and sewer treatment plant problems.

Echoing an earlier question, the candidates were asked if they would support removing the old high school and adding the land to the city park, possibly with a skateboard area and additional park activities.

It’s a historic register building, Schafer pointed out, and he said he didn’t think it could be removed that easily.

“At this point I don’t think this is something we can answer.”

Kadlec agreed, but said that “if someone has a plan I want to be a mayor that will listen. Let’s put our heads together and work on it.”