Curnel wants to give back to citizens

MOSES LAKE — Dr. David Curnel is running for Moses Lake City Council position five to give back to the community.

He stated his experience running a medical practice prepared him for the council duties.

“One learns a lot about business, finances and public relations doing that,” Curnel stated. “I am currently the medical director of the Moses Lake Clinic. Those duties have taught me patience, the need to compromise and good listening skills. It is a natural progression of leadership to want to do more with the skills that I have developed over the years.”

His goal for the position is to represent the interest of the citizens.

“One must first learn and know the Constitution,” he explained. “It is the beginning and end of government, both federally and locally.”

Curnel said there are several challenges facing the position.

“Water quality, rapid growth, lack of quality shopping and funding of basic services, for instance fire and police protection, are important challenges facing the City of Moses Lake,” he stated.

He stated citizens should vote for him because he believes government should serve citizens, not regulate them, and help them gain independence, rather than dependence.

Curnel explained his stance on regulating the placement of signs on city property.

“This is a difficult question to answer as I don’t have all the information,” he stated. “My understanding is that if one allows political signs, then one must allow advertising signs. Any regulation is an all or none proposition. I think a lot of signs throughout the city would be unattractive, distracting to drivers and difficult to monitor.”

He stated the city does not have the right to restrict ownership of any pet.

“Our federal government, our state government and city government have far exceeded their rights under the constitution,” Curnel explained. “That said, persons who choose to have certain breeds of dogs and exotic animals should be held accountable for what those animals do. It is a two-way street.”

He does not support photo enforced traffic cameras.

“I have never seen any evidence that they save lives or decrease accidents,” he stated. “They simply generate revenue for the city.”

Curnel stated the city has gone too far with the use of code enforcement for weeds, excessive vehicles and pets.

“If someone owns property, it is his property and he should be able to do what he chooses to do with it,” he stated. “If vehicles are parked where they are not a danger to other drivers, if they are not parked on other people’s property, why should the city care or regulate where the vehicle is parked?”

He explained his stance on funding the federally mandated requirement for the city to implement a storm water treatment plan.

“This is another example of the federal government making rules and regulations where there is no constitutional base,” Curnel stated. “Federal mandates should be dealt with by the voters when the next election comes. Vote for candidates who uphold the Constitution. Since we have the problem to deal with here locally, I favor a plan that spreads the funding over as many entities as possible to lower the cost to each individual.”