Bernett runs for Soap Lake council

Hopes to get younger people involved

SOAP LAKE - Gina Bernett is running for Soap Lake City Council position two in hopes of getting more people involved with the city.

Bernett failed to declare her candidacy with the Grant County Elections Office by the due date to be placed on the official voters' ballot. She declared her candidacy as a write-in candidate Aug. 27, according to the Grant County elections office.

Anyone can file to be a write-in candidate until the day before the election, according to the elections office.

Voters who wish to elect Bernett are advised to write her name on the space under Soap Lake City Council position two on the ballot.

She said it will be a challenge for her campaign because she is not on the ballot.

"I know the gentleman that I'm running against is already on the ballot," Bernett said.

To get her name out into the public she plans to walk through neighborhoods to meet people and let them know she is running for council.

"I feel Soap Lake needs younger people involved in our city and I want to do good for the people of Soap Lake," she said. "If they have concerns about anything they can feel free to ask me and if I don't know the answer, they sure can come to the Soap Lake council meeting to speak their opinions."

Bernett said she is interested in learning about the municipal process so she can serve citizens.

She said citizens should vote for her because she has a lot to offer to the city.

"I live here and I work for the Grant County PUD (Public Utility District) for over 17 years and I know a lot of the business people and the citizens and I just want to be a positive asset to the community and help out and learn," Bernett said. "I am a young person and would like to get more of the younger people involved and all people of all walks of life."

She said she is qualified for the position because she is a longtime resident and volunteers for citywide clean-ups with the Soap Lake Improvement Crew (SLIC).

Bernett said she will improve the city by getting diverse people involved with the city, repairing roads and keeping the city clean.

"I would be willing to get on the committees and help in any way I could," she said. "If any of the citizens have questions, I'd be willing to work with the citizens on their questions too because that's real important that the citizens should have a say."

Bernett said erecting the Lava Lite would be a good learning experience for her.

"We should either try to make it happen or not," she said. "It's been going on for many years, I'm hoping if they get the right people to get it together that maybe in the near future it could happen, we hope. We hope."

Bernett said road repairs are needed.

"There's a lot of potholes and such like that," she said. "I am concerned about the bigger semis in our neighborhoods parking in the town area. I'm kind of concerned about the big trucks."

Bernett said she will work to promote the city by getting younger people involved with activities.

Bernett will also promote the city by attending council meetings, she said.