Two city councilmen compete in Othello mayor's race

McKay, Spohr running for top position

OTHELLO — The city's Mayor Pro-Tem and one of its councilman are each looking to permanently hold the top spot at the City of Othello.

Mayor Pro-Tem Shannon McKay and Councilman Marc Spohr sit next to each other at Othello City Council meetings, and will run against each other in the November general election for the spot McKay has held since Mayor Jeannie Sanders resigned this summer.

McKay has been on the council for the last two years, having served 12 years before that on the Othello School Board. McKay himself was raised in Othello and he has raised his kids and grandchildren in the Adams County town. He said one of his goals will be to make sure the city stays a safe community to raise children.

"I've learned to like politics at the small town level," McKay said, "and I'd like to continue it."

He said as mayor he would let City Administrator Ehman Sheldon handle most of the city's business, and said Sheldon has been exemplary in that position

"I'm not a micro manager," McKay said, "You have people that you count on, and we have the best in Ehman."

McKay added that he would like to see the council included in every decision that is made by the mayor, and said the city would be better served by having a form of government in Othello where mayoral decisions are made by the city council as a whole.

As mayor, McKay said he would also pull every effort to let people know that Othello is business friendly.

"I'm going to make it a point to go overboard to help business stay in this community," McKay said.

A business person himself, with a farming and packing business here in Othello for nearly 25 years, McKay has been familiar with setting to and sticking to budgets. As a member of the school board he said it was his job to be frugal with budgets while at the same time not shorting the kids.

"I'm familiar with every aspect of business," McKay said, "and this is a pretty huge business."

Councilman Spohr said he feels Othello is on the brink of becoming a greater community, and feels his leadership experience could take the town in the right direction.

He said he has the time available now that would allow him to focus on the position. Spohr spent 25 years in management with Simplot and said he felt that management would transmit well in the management of a city.

"I have a background in accounting," Spohr said, "so I have a good feel for the budget and the budget process."

Spohr said he has also been concerned about growth, and said he was very interested in working with businesses and keeping them there in Othello.

"I'm still cognizant of what happened in Hermiston," Spohr said, "where Simplot shut down facilities there. (I) do not want them to shut down here."

Spohr has served as a councilman for the last few years, having also served about a decade ago. He also served as a volunteer firefighter for the last 25 years.

As mayor, Spohr said he would like to see enforcement of city codes and parking regulations. He said he's been very happy to have lived in the community, and raised his kids in Othello schools.

"I just want to make it a safe and prosperous place for people to live," Spohr said.