Oliver challenges incumbent Jacobson in Ephrata mayor's race

Political newcomer takes on experienced strong mayor

EPHRATA — Challenger Steve Oliver and first-term Mayor Chris Jacobson are poised for an open and competitive two-man contest in the Nov. 8 general election that decides who leads Ephrata over the next four years.

Political newcomer 38-year-old Oliver says he wants to become the next mayor and start working to bring additional businesses to Ephrata. He believes the city has a lot to offer new companies with the area's abundance of undeveloped land, convenient location in central Washington and excellent school system.

Before Oliver gets the chance to work toward those goals, he has to unseat Jacobson, who ran last time on a determination to turn the city around. What makes Oliver's challenge even more difficult is that some say Jacobson has made a good start on an impossibly tough assignment.

Jacobson became the new strong mayor in October of 2002 by winning more than 60 percent of the votes as the city was transitioning away from the strong council system of government which had been adopted in 1996. Then, Jacobson said, the city was embroiled in unfounded accusations of public corruption and nepotism at city hall and the council meetings were at times bizarre and non-functioning.

Since then, public meetings have become more business-like with channeled comments from a diverse group of city council members and staff who are highly qualified and think independently but work cohesively as a group, Jacobson said.

He takes credit for recommending and eventually having appointed all but one member of the current city council and selecting a new city administrator, fire chief and other staff.

During the last three years, Jacobson says he successfully shrunk an oversized budget and has continued to reduce costs in an effort to streamline the city's government.

Jacobson said that the services provided by the city have improved thanks to the hardworking staff who have maintained expected levels of service with less money.

Today, Jacobson, owner and operator of a construction company for 30 years, finds himself in a political contest with Oliver ,who has owned and operated Tarot Tattoo in Ephrata for the last six years.

The winner in November will lead a city that has not grown to its potential, Oliver said, and unlike Jacobson, he would be willing to increase the size of the budget by raising taxes if necessary to pay for future projects.

"As long as there is something to show for it," he said. "Right now, downtown looks like a ghost town."

Oliver has lived in Ephrata for eight years and according to his campaign announcement, he states, "I am in the people business and I meet dozens of new people everyday and my occupation allows me to spend considerable amounts of time with them."

So far, he has quietly campaigned on themes like accountability, sincerity and being accessible to the people of Ephrata, he said.

"I've heard criticism, optimism, and many other worthy opinions on how Ephrata treats its residents and its visitors," he stated. "Some of my clientele includes police officers, PUD officials, laborers, city government representatives, business owners, and people from all walks of life. Having an open mind has allowed me to absorb their passion and understand their points of view."

Oliver said that Ephrata needs to create something for younger people to do during the winter and that he would work to bring a multi-sport complex to the city that could be used for hockey and roller-skating. He said the closest place for hockey is in Wenatchee. Roller-skating, he said, is available in Soap Lake but not Ephrata and he would work to change that if elected.

He also feels that Ephrata would be well served to have a restaurant that is open 24 hours per day, such as Denny's or Shari's.

"My decision to run for mayor was partially prompted by seeing the need to move forward and bring many aspects of our city into the 21st century while still preserving our small town heritage," he stated.

Working to combat crime is another issue that Oliver feels strongly about. He said his business has been burglarized on two occasions.

"We have career criminals, too lenient of sentences and many people who are victims of crime around here feel defenseless," Oliver said.

He believes that younger people are part of the problem and by adding to the number of positive activities available to them, some crime could be prevented.

Oliver said that he would welcome debate between the candidates and has already been approached about a public question and answer session.

"I just hope that people in this election are not basing their votes on who is the lessor of two evils," Oliver said.

Jacobson said he would have preferred to see more people running for office in Ephrata, including in the mayor's race. He believes that the healthiest environment for government is to have as many people involved as possible.

"Local elected officials have a direct impact on people's lives," he said. "I hope there are several debates and people need to attend and get involved in the process."

He said he will continue to run a quiet race and erect more campaign signs before the general election.

"I hope this is a good example to my kids to get involved," he added. "It's been an honor to serve."