Wanke enjoys serving community

EPHRATA — Councilmember Mark Wanke is running for re-election to Ephrata City Council position 2 because he enjoys serving the community.

“I love representing the citizens of Ephrata and I like being involved for their betterment,” he stated.

He stated his 20 years of experience serving the city council and experience with other groups will help him continue his work.

“I have been a solid figure on the council through its changes in government, leadership and councilmembers,” Wanke explained.

He was mayor pro-tem for three years, is president and past vice president of Grant County Association of Cities, served as a board member for Grant Transit Authority for five years, chairman for Grant County Health District for three years and three years as vice chairman, served Ephrata Community Trails committee for 13 years, chairman of the Hotel/Motel Tax Committee for five years, council chairman for the Water/Sewer Rates committee for one year and represented Ephrata as a member of the Grant County Association of Cities in Olympia. Wanke also served the Ephrata Fire Department, Grant County Fire District 13 and spent 30 years as a member of the Ephrata Lions Club.

Wanke’s goals for the position involve completing several projects.

“I would like to see the street projects completed, the city parks updates through the recreation comprehensive plan as funding sources become available, completion of the Beezley Hill Trail project and continuation of other trails as funding sources become available, support of new businesses coming to Ephrata (and) continued support of the Port of Ephrata,” he explained.

He explained the majority of funding to improve city parks will come from grants.

He shared his view on the city budget.

“We are running in the black, which is better than most communities,” he explained. “Our revenue through sales tax was up 4 percent this past quarter, which means more money in our city coffers. It is imperative that we have funds to maintain our new streets. The citizens of Ephrata have clearly spoken for new or better streets so maintaining them is imperative.”

The city is searching for grants to fund the final phase of the water pipe and road replacement project, Wanke stated. The first two phases were completed under budget and expects there to be some leftover money for the final phase.

The next project the city should focus on involves encouraging business growth, he stated.

“I would like to see the City of Ephrata continue to work along side the Port of Ephrata to encourage continued growth of businesses that will benefit the citizens of Ephrata,” Wanke explained. “It is critical for Ephrata to have a strong business core to maintain a good quality of life for the citizens of Ephrata.”