Wanke and Moore compete for Ephrata city council position

EPHRATA — In the race for Ephrata City Council Position No. 2, Ephrata residents will be choosing from one candidate with 16 years of experience on the council and another candidate who happens to be the former president of the Ephrata Chamber of Commerce.

Candidates Mark S. Wanke and Janice Moore both have plenty of enthusiasm and experience working for the city, but only one will get the chance to do it for the next four years with a seat on the Ephrata City Council.

Wanke, a U.S. Postal Service worker for 23 years, said he is committed to improving the streets and waterlines in the city, because that is the most important issue to voters. He wants more time to find state and federal grant money to continue the road projects into the future.

"It all takes time and money," Wanke said. "Ephrata did not get where it is today in just a few short years, but resulted from a strong foundation of leaders who carefully planned and made clear and focused decisions."

In his experience on the council he has worked with the Port of Ephrata to get the updates needed on streets and waterlines and wants to continue working with the port to encourage growth, he said.

He is the current chairman of Ephrata Community Trails which has brought bike and pedestrian trails through town, he said, and has secured five grants totaling $122,000 for the proposed Beezley Hill Trail.

In the last few years, he has worked to help the city invest in a new water and sewer treatment plant, build a new pool and replace equipment in various city departments, he said.

"I've got the necessary experience when it counts, and we've made a lot of headway since I came on board," Wanke said. "It is imperative with our existing council members having served one to two years or less, there be a voice of experience to blend past successes with new ideas and concepts for the future greatness of Ephrata. I am your independent voice of experience on the Ephrata City Council."

Moore, co-owner of Moore Furniture in Ephrata, said the city needs to stimulate economic development and work together with the chamber of commerce and Port of Ephrata to bring industry that will increase the tax base and create jobs.

Moore has been president of the chamber of commerce for the last two years and continues to be involved in the organization, but said now was the right time to begin serving her lifelong home as a city council member.

"I just felt this was the next step for me to serve my community," Moore said.

The city needs a long-range plan to improve streets, she said, and money has not been available to do that as a result of shrinking budgets and fewer tax dollars.

"Our city streets are falling apart," she said. "There's not money there to be doing real maintenance."

In the past, Moore has found other ways to influence the community, including nine years working as a CampFire USA club leader, and chaired the Miss Ephrata pageant for five years.

Moore's most recent contribution to the city includes working with a team of people to promote tourism and commerce by bringing the Basin Summer Sounds Festival to Ephrata for the last two years. She said the two-day music festival this year included 19 professional bands, music classes for children and opportunities for local business to self promote and bring people into their stores.

"We need positive change and a fresh business like perspective to ensure that Ephrata is a strong community for years to come," she said.