Brodahl runs to encourage transparency

OTHELLO — Councilmember Eleanor Brodahl is running for Othello mayor because she wants to operate the city transparently.

“I have a reputation as a councilmember who asks many questions about items that come before the council because I believe the council is responsible for making informed decisions that affect the future of the community,” she explained. “I am opposed to ‘behind the scenes’ discussions that lead to rubber stamp approval of individual pet projects without public discussion.”

Brodahl stated she is running for mayor partly due to a letter she said was given to her by the council.

“Because of my position on several of these issues, including the extension of our public water system outside the city’s boundaries, the mayor and the other council members presented me with a letter censoring me for my public comments,” Brodahl stated. “A letter that I considered unethical and a threat to myself and the citizens I represent. This attempt to curtail any further dissent is a major part of my decision to run for mayor because I believe the citizens of Othello have a right to expect transparency from the council and the city administrator.”

She stated her 14 years on the city council and service to the Adams County Community Network board, Adams County Economic Development Council and her banking customers at her job prepared her for the position.

“My education and experience in banking and business development provides me with a clear perspective in fiscal management and budgeting,” Brodahl stated.

Her goal for the position is to make city business transparent.

“This includes a full discussion of items that come before the council for approval prior to any formal action being taken,” she stated. “If elected, it will be to provide all citizens of this community with the best quality of life and services within the powers of city government.”

A challenge facing the position is to provide services while costs are increasing and revenues are decreasing.

Brodahl stated citizens should vote for her because she has a sense of responsibility to the community and community service instilled in her from her upbringing.

“I am an American of Hispanic descent born in Wyoming to a family, who for six generations have worked in agriculture in the United States,” she stated. “As a teenager I went to live in Washtucna with the Sullivan family. My foster father, Syd Sullivan, has served for many years as mayor of Washtucna. I plan to carry on that tradition.”

Brodahl shared her views on the city encouraging the construction of new homes.

“It is my position that the city has not been very encouraging to all forms of construction,” she stated. “One of the problems for contractors has been the outsourcing of the building and planning services that often keep projects on hold waiting for an out-of-town, out-of-county, private contracting agency to approve construction.”

She stated the city needs to review the process to determine if it is the most cost-effective option.

Brodahl wants to help create an atmosphere to support existing businesses and attract new businesses to the city.

“I believe this can best be achieved with open cooperation between public agencies such as the Port of Othello and the city,” she stated.

She explained the city supports a variety of events promoting tourism including support of the chamber of commerce, Sandhill Crane Festival, Coulee Corridor, Milwaukee Railroad Interpretive Caboose, Old Hotel Art Gallery, Farmer’s Market and the annual rodeo.

She stated the city supported infrastructure improvements in the past and present by improving the state Route 26 area and state Route 24 industrial area, upgrading streets and parks and passing a bond to build the swimming pool and slide.

Brodahl stated the next project the city should focus on is holding a retreat meeting prior to adopting the annual budget. She explained citizens should be invited to participate to set reasonable goals for future city projects.