Business owner, hospital clerk seek Othello council position
Race is one of three contested in Othello
OTHELLO — A hospital payroll specialist and the owner of a beehive business are facing each other in one of three contested seats at the City of Othello this November.
Sue Inks and Ken Caylor each want to attract economic growth and tourism to the Othello area and are hoping their experience and backgrounds will lead them to do that as a member of the Othello City Council. The two are vying for the Council Position No. 3 spot currently held by Councilman Larry Bray.
Caylor would like to see more input from citizens to the city council, and more support for local business in town while drawing in new business.
"I think we need to draw new businesses into town," Caylor said.
He said the city has a good business base, but would like to help bring small business back to help the town grow and said the city should meet businesses halfway on issues like infrastructure. He said in order to help the community, the city and the county have to work together to make things work.
Caylor first came to Othello in 1951 and is a graduate of Othello High School. He lived for several years in western Washington before moving back to Othello in 1992 with his wife Barbara, also an OHS grad.
Caylor cites his background as superintendent of a large construction company in western Washington, and his work on the Adams County Citizens Advisory committee among his qualifications for the job. Currently he is a state committeeman for the Adams County Democrats, serves as vice chair of the Coulee Corridor Consortium and on the Othello museum and the local habitat for humanity boards. Caylor is the owner of Caylor Bee Enterprise in Othello.
As a member of the CCC, he also sees a need for tourism as a method for bringing money into town. Caylor said he feels that he's open minded, and could be the people's voice.
"I think that I can do the city and the council some good with the background that I've got," Caylor said.
Caylor faces Inks, who said she sees a number of issues impacting the community of Othello, including public safety, education and economic growth and identity. She said she wants to see an expanded tourism to support the business the city has now while also bringing in new dollars.
Inks proposes working closer with port commissioners on projects and introducing short-term tax incentives. She also supports increased overnight camping opportunities to host visitors for recreational events in the area.
"Those things will attract new dollars, and revitalize our growth opportunities in our community," she said.
As a payroll specialist at Othello Community Hospital, Inks has also managed accounts payable, jobs she has held for the last six years. That experience, she said, has proven that she has the ability to manage assets of a public entity.
Inks has previously been elected to the Federal Way Council and has served on growth management sub committees. Inks lived in Othello for about 10 years and is married to husband David Inks.
Inks calls herself fiscally
conservative, and is not in favor of overspending at the expense of education. She added that she thinks the base for a healthy community is its education.
She sees the council as a diverse one, and said she hopes to add another facet to that council. She said she does not have an agenda, and has plans only to represent her constituents in the community.
"I firmly believe that my presence on city council will represent a voice of the people," She said.
Council Position No. 3 is one of three contested races at the City of Othello. In Council Position No. 2, Chasity Krebs is taking on incumbent Eleanor Brodahl. In the mayor's race councilman Marc Spohr is facing current Mayor Pro-Tim Shannon McKay. In other council races, Incumbent Councilman Tim Wilson is running unopposed in his bid for re-election at Council Position No. 1.