Educate yourself before MLIRD's election
What is the Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District, otherwise known as MLIRD?
It is a public entity that has a five-member board of directors, a four-person staff and the ability to tax residents who own property within the district. The district is also subject to the state's Open Public Records and Open Meetings Acts.
More importantly, the MLIRD is tasked with caring for Moses Lake, a 6,800-acre body of water around which our community was built. Silt removal and weed treatment are done by district staff to keep the lake looking clean and healthy.
The district owns and manages Connelly Park ("Airman's Beach"), located off state Route 17, north of Moses Lake. The park is used for public recreation and has a beach, playground and swimming area.
The district is also responsible for the North Dam replacement project on Moses Lake, which started in October and should finish in March.
Just how the work should be done and who picks the district's priorities were the subjects of debate during past district elections and board meetings. There's been a changeover in board members during the past few years and the district is about to face another change with the upcoming election.
On Tuesday, Dec. 9 district ratepayers decide if they want to vote for Kris Dexter, a Moses Lake chiropractor, or Tom Bennett, a Moses Lake realtor, to serve as a board director in the only opposed race. The winner would have a three-year term.
The board is currently comprised of Richard Teals, Mary Perry, Jeff Foster and Dexter. Board members Mick Hansen, Ron Covey and Bill Bailey resigned from their respective positions earlier this year.
Perry and Teals were appointed to their spots earlier this year and had no opponents. They were reappointed to a three-year term, according to a Nov. 10 Columbia Basin Herald article.
Ratepayers can vote in person from 1-8 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 9 at the MLIRD office, at 932 E. Wheeler Rd., Moses Lake. Absentee ballots can be obtained by visiting the MLIRD office or the district's website, www.mlird.org.
Written requests for absentee ballots should be hand delivered to the office to avoid missing the election deadline.
Mailed absentees can be sent to MLIRD, P.O. Box 98, Moses Lake, WA 98837 and are due by midnight on Election Day.
We encourage ratepayers to learn about the issues surrounding the lake, the district's current priorities and cast an educated vote.
After the election, we encourage you to get more involved.
If you care about the quality of the lake, set aside a few hours to attend the district's board meetings. If you want to learn more about the district and its operations, we think this time is well spent.
- Editorial Board