Pearce to continue council leadership

Incumbent wishes to boost tourism

MOSES LAKE — Incumbent Richard Pearce is running for Moses Lake City Council position three to be an advocate for his citizenry and to continue his dedication to the city.

"If elected, my history of service and the results of that service will carry into the future," Pearce said. "By serving on the city council I'll continue to encourage development of our recreation facilities, fire and police protection and other infrastructures."

His future goals include making the city attractive to outside businesses and industries, creating jobs and increasing the city's tax base.

"I also want to continue to attract tourists but my approach has always been to make the city attractive, fun, safe and comfortable for the citizens," Pearce said. "These are important quality of life issues. We are our own best tourist when we stay home for our recreation and free time activities."

He said having enough time is a challenge for him but he always finds a balance.

"I can still give attention to my family, my duties at the city, my part-time work and my service to my church," Pearce said.

He spends 150 to 200 hours volunteering on city projects each year, he added.

He said his experience operating a business for 25 years and instructing an aviation program at Big Bend Community College for 30 years helped him during his candidacy. He was a decorated pilot with the U.S. Air Force. In addition, he has experience serving the Moses Lake Planning Commission.

"The citizens should vote for me so I can continue to serve Moses Lake with open communication, integrity, hard work, leadership and dedication," Pearce said.

He said the downtown revitalization effort has been the best public and private partnership known to the city.

"The area is rapidly becoming the destination place it was designed to become," Pearce said. "Even with these steps into the future we still have retained our history, arts and culture. The merchants are stepping up, cleaning up, decorating and taking part in the revitalization."

He is studying the ordinance regarding drilling exempt wells in the city limits.

"I am very interested in the city having a complete inventory of all wells in our city and being advised when new wells are being drilled," Pearce said. "This would be a great aid in citizens' safety in the event of a well emergency or ground water condemnation."

He said an additional lake crossing is needed in the city.

"We must keep working on this issue by identifying the best place to build a lake crossing and be ready to purchase right-of-way when that place is known," he said. "It is vital that we continue the search for funding. I am promoting a multi-government solution to this major funding problem."