A broader viewpoint for the MLIRD
The Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District's board expands from three to five members next year, according to preliminary results from Tuesday's election. We believe this is a move in the right direction.
More people means various viewpoints and a wider array of expertise and backgrounds to pull from.
A larger board provides a more diverse group to represent the district's ratepayers, according to Debbie Doran-Martinez, the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce's executive director.
It ensures the public has independent thinkers on the board, she told the Columbia Basin Herald on Wednesday.
The board is currently comprised of three members, board chairman Mick Hansen and board directors Ron Covey and Rich Archer. Archer, whose seat was also on the ballot, is serving the end of his term. He will presently be replaced by the winner of Tuesday's election.
On Wednesday, Moses Lake businessman David Skaug was leading the race by 600 votes against former Grant County Undersheriff Ken Kernan. Mail-in ballots have yet to be counted and may hold the majority of the votes.
The board, as it stands now, is grid locked at times, with arguments between each other and staff about the direction of the district.
In January, upon Mick Hansen's election and his subsequent naming as board chairman, disagreements about which agenda to use and which meeting minutes to approve became large distractions during board meetings.
Please don't take this as an attack on Chairman Hansen.
It takes two to argue, make a stand, or do what's best for the public, depending what side you're on.
At any rate, this has to stop and we hope that it has (for the most part). The arguments and posturing seems minor, but it does take up valuable time better used to conduct district business.
Some give and take is required on both sides to progress and move through the issues.
The removal of sediment from Moses Lake using a hydraulic dredge (also referred to as dredging), the district's weed-killing efforts and landowner assessments have also been topics of discussion. We hope the board continues tackling these issues and working together for the improved health and quality of the lake.
While the Editorial Board doesn't endorse candidates, we do expect our public boards and their staffs to work well together, efficiently and effectively. It is a waste of time and money to do otherwise.
Please know we appreciate the service and backgrounds of the existing MLIRD board. It takes time, effort and a thick skin to hold a public office, especially during change and transition.
In 2013, we encourage the board to work together, set their differences aside and do what's best for the district and its ratepayers.
And if you've ever considered running for public office (or know of anyone who is interested), consider one of the two open seats on the MLIRD board. Serving on the board would be a chance to give back to the community.
- Editorial Board