Othello parks and rec levy coming up short in vote tally

by CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Staff Writer | August 6, 2021 1:00 AM

RITZVILLE — A maintenance and operations levy proposal to pay for upkeep to P.J. Taggares Park near Othello is still falling short of the votes it needs to pass.

Updated vote totals for the Aug. 3 primary election were released Thursday. Votes on the $200,000, one-year levy were running 54% “yes” and 46% “no.” Because it’s a revenue measure, the levy needs 60% approval to pass.

Rolando Cerrillo, commissioner for Adams County Parks and Recreation District 1, which maintains the park, said commissioners have also submitted the levy request for the November general election ballot.

If the levy is approved, property owners would be assessed an estimated 15 cents per $1,000 of property value: The owner of property valued at $250,000 would pay $37.50 for a year.

If the levy passes in November, Cerrillo said the money would be used to make upgrades and repairs to the park and its equipment.

Ritzville Mayor Linda Kadlec is leading two challengers in the mayoral race. Kadlec had about 55% of the vote, Dennis Chamberlain had 25%, and Glenn Stockwell had 19% in the latest ballot tally.

The two candidates who attract the most votes will advance to the general election. The winner will serve a two-year term.

Incumbent Mike Weigand is trailing Marsha Reimers Smith in the race for an at-large seat on the Ritzville City Council. Reimers Smith had 37% of the vote, and Weigand had 28%. Charles Jingling and Dan Peters also were candidates for the seat. Jingling had about 21% of the vote, while Peters had 13% in the latest tally.

Two candidates will advance to the general election.

Incumbent Kathy Vedder is trailing in her bid to retain her seat, Position 2, on the Lind Town Council. Vedder had 21% of the vote, trailing challengers Sheri Marlin with 42% and Mike J. Wold with 37%.

Incumbent Richard Baldwin also is trailing in the race for Lind Town Council Position 3. Challenger Laura Dew led by a wide margin, with 70% of the vote, compared to 19% for Baldwin. The third candidate, Whisper Casady, had 9%.