Cole, Johnson compete for Othello council

Othello City Council candidate answers questions

OTHELLO - Two Othello City Council position five candidates shared their views at a election forum Thursday night at Stevens Funeral Chapel in Othello.

Nine candidates and 35 citizens attended the Greater Othello Chamber of Commerce forum sponsored by the Columbia Basin Herald and the chapel.

Incumbent Everett Cole and candidate Ken Johnson are competing for the same council seat.

Johnson was unable to attend the forum due to a fair board meeting but submitted a statement read by Columbia Basin Herald Managing Editor Bill Stevenson.

"I have lived in Othello for most of my life," Johnson wrote. "I have seen many changes in the community in the last 39 years that I've been here."

Businesses have come and gone from the community, he wrote.

"A healthy community is one that is continually growing and drawing more people to live here and businesses wanting to come here, but I have not seen that here," Johnson wrote. "I have seen it in many of the communities around us. You ask why? That's why I am running for Othello City Council."

He added, he wants to help the community grow and attract people to live in the city.

"I love this community and I want other people to feel the same way and take pride in their community," Johnson wrote. "I want Othello to become a gem city of the state. Times are changing. If we don't change with them, the community will die."

After the statement was read, incumbent Cole gave an opening statement.

"You know me and I know most of you, so we'll dispense with a lot of hot air and deal in facts," Cole said.

During his time on council he helped to secure a new building for the library once it outgrew it's space, he said. He helped to get the new building at a lower cost than expected. He worked with Adams County officials to help create a library district.

Cole said he helped negotiate to designate the fire department for the city. He said the current department should be the envy of other departments.

He helped get the swimming pool bond on the ballot, he said.

"Put it on the ballot, put it on the ballot, put it on the ballot," Cole said recalling the beginning of the pool bond. "The public will tell you what they want and what they are willing to pay for. It was on the ballot, it was accomplished and we have a facility."

He said he sees optimism for the city with intelligent and capable leadership on council.

"We may not expand like a mushroom but we can certainly grow like an oak," Cole said.

Othello City Administrator Ehman Sheldon read questions submitted by the audience to candidates. Several were directed toward city council candidates.

Sheldon asked how candidates would manage growth with regard to overcrowded classrooms.

Cole said the council does not have jurisdiction over the school district and vise versa.

He said he feels confident the school board will use the bond funds wisely after attending a presentation from school board officials.

"What we're talking about here is that funny word that nobody likes to hear but I think if my memory is right it's spelled T-A-X, something like that and that's what the school seems to need more of," Cole said.

He said the school district is in the process of remodeling and adding more space to alleviate overcrowded classrooms.

Sheldon asked Cole if he would vote to send water and sewer services outside the city limits.

Cole said the council has not voted on the issue but are being educated on the issue.

He said an analysis is being conducted to learn the capacity of each well.

"The water utility in the city of Othello belongs to you, it's citizens and residents that live within the city limits," Cole said. "You have paid for it over the years just as I have paid for it 40-something years. It's your property."

He said creating a contract to send water outside city limits can jeopardize citizens. If there is a water shortage, those with a contract get prioritized ahead of all customers.

"We already have two plants that are at various times using a considerable amount of water. What if we have another individual who comes and wants to build within the city limits? You can't sell or potentially promise them this block of water that you've already promised to someone else," Cole said. "If they get a contract and never use it for your lifetime and mine, we still can't say that's okay, they're not using it, we'll sell it to someone else. So those are things that have to be considered."

In his closing statement, he said strong leadership is needed to serve on council.

"Community service is my life. I'm not a quitter," Cole said. "I've never packed up and gone home because I didn't get my own way."