Liebrecht offers her common sense

MOSES LAKE — Karen Liebrecht is running for Moses Lake City Council position seven to be a listener.

She said the current council is creating problems for citizens.

"Instead of simply complaining, I've decided I can be and want to be a part of the solution," Liebrecht said. "The present council seems to purposefully create obstacles for anyone trying to increase development in the city."

Listening to citizens and voting for their opinions will make Moses Lake a better place to live, she said.

Liebrecht said she is qualified for the position because she is a business owner and can provide a common sense approach to decision making.

"I'm also a person who sticks to what they believe and will do what's right regardless of outside pressure," she said.

She said she heard doubts about how her opinions and ability to vote could be affected by her husband James Liebrecht, who serves on the Moses Lake City Council.

"I do have similar views in some areas but I can think of issues where I would have voted differently," Liebrecht said. "Never doubt if we are both on council we will have no problem discussing the issues and at times disagreeing in a public forum."

She said citizens should vote for her because she will listen and represent citizens and address their concerns. She advised it is important for voters to elect someone who has similar views.

"I tend to be more on the conservative end of the spectrum and believe less government is better government," Liebrecht said.

She supports a second lake crossing. Liebrecht said the city has put the project off for several years creating an obstacle in finding a place to put it.

"No one can dispute the need of another lake crossing," Liebrecht said. "The problem has been how to fund the project. It's so expensive it continues to be beyond the city's means and so has repeatedly been put on the back burner."

She said although the funding may not be available, the city must choose a place to build it.

In regards to the proposed ordinance concerning the prohibition of drilling exempt wells within city limits, Liebrecht said she opposes it.

"It takes too much freedom of choice from the people and gives too much power to the city," she said. 'It will hinder growth and development while putting financial hardships on existing home and land owners."

Downtown development may have gone the wrong way, Liebrecht noted. She said the downtown area looks nice but she is not pleased with the project.

"The reduction of the speed limit, decreasing to one lane and the loss of parking has had a negative impact to the point that people seem to be avoiding the area," Liebrecht said. "That's the opposite of what they were trying to achieve. Unfortunately things don't always pay off as planned."

She said the project must be re-evaluated while being considerate of tax dollars.