Ritzville candidates take forum stage

RITZVILLE – For more than two hours, city council and mayoral candidates answered questions at the New Ritzville Theater last Thursday evening, July 27.

Candidates sat spotlighted on the stage behind a long table as about 70 residents faced them in rows of theater seats.

Dale Anderson, who served as master of ceremonies, requested each candidate's thoughts on a variety of questions as City Clerk/Treasurer Julie Flyckt tracked response times.

"This is not a debate," Anderson said. "We're a small community and want to treat each other right. But we also want to hear your answers."

First on the agenda were candidates seeking "at-large" city council spots.

Such positions carry a two-year term and are not tied to specific sectors of the city.

Candidates on hand included Dan Peters, Marsha Smith, Gregory Granger and Charles Jingling. Candidate Jen Verhey was unable to attend.

Peters came to Ritzville after years on the west side of the state.

"We need to have controlled growth," he said. "If we lose a rural setting like this, we'll never get it back."

Smith, who currently occupies the at-large position on the city council, spoke next.

"I was raised in a big family in Ritzville," she said, noting that 20 years ago, after completing a teaching career, she returned.

She discussed the need to replace or restore the kiosk at the town cemetery, and said Ritzville's greatest asset is its people.

Granger moved to Ritzville about seven years ago and works as a transport driver for the local hospital.

"I love this community and appreciate the work of our first responders," he said, emphasizing programs to encourage locals to become EMTs and volunteer firefighters.

Jingling, who graduated from Ritzville High School in 1973, talked about the need for reasonable growth and more public transportation options. He said the town's location at the confluence of two major freeways and a railway provide ample opportunity for growth.

Next up were Ward No. 1 candidates Jessica Quinn, Dede Boyer and David Dahill.

Quinn moved to Ritzville about three years ago and has a background in health care.

She grew up in a small town - St. Maries, Idaho - and said she wanted to raise her kids in a similar environment. She's also attended city council meetings and seen opportunities for improvement.

Boyer, the current Ward No. 1 councilwoman, talked about the decline in the number of downtown businesses since she moved here in 2007.

"I fell in love with this town," she said. "I told my children that the only way they're getting me out of here is 'feet first.'"

She emphasized her work in promoting the Festival of Lights, revitalizing the Circle-T restaurant and dinner theater, and bringing Porky's restaurant to the golf course.

Dahill noted that many small towns tend to overemphasize growth and, in the process, lose their history.

"I don't want that to happen to Ritzville," he said.

The forum concluded with questions directed to four of the five mayoral candidates: Keanu Niezwaag, Scott Yaeger, Glen Stockwell and Cory Bartlett.

Candidate Jack Curtis had a prior commitment and was not able to attend.

"I want to be the next mayor of Ritzville to bring in fresh perspectives," Niezwaag said.

Regarding city contracting, he emphasized the need to fully vet contractors.

"I also want to work with law enforcement to make Ritzville a safer place to live."

Yaeger said he's been on the city council for 17 years, having lived in Ritzville since 1978 and worked for Adams County since 1992.

"I know a lot about what's gone on in Ritzville," he said, emphasizing the need to provide training to city employees, especially supervisors and department heads.

Stockwell first came to Ritzville in 1958, before Interstate 90 was constructed. He returned in 1977 and observed that the freeway had diverted much of the traffic that previously passed through town.

He emphasized rebuilding downtown and bringing irrigation to the area.

Bartlett noted that he was an educator for 15 years, and his business - Gigamedics - has been expanding since he opened shop several years ago.

Regarding various aspects of city government - public works, sanitation, historic planning, zoning and ordinances, for example - he said: "People need to know what they're doing before decisions are made."

He also emphasized the need for a city-wide public alert system.

Every mayoral candidate supported the golf course and touted its appeal to tourists and others considering the town.