Moses Lake council, Fuhr express gratitude at his final meeting

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake City Council members, city staff and spectators gave City Manager Kevin Fuhr a standing ovation after accepting his retirement request during the regular council meeting Tuesday.

Fuhr announced Monday that he was retiring after about a year on the job, citing his battle with cancer. 

Mayor Dustin Swartz said Fuhr made a big impact as city manager.

“I don’t think a lot of people quite understand the situation we were in when you decided to step up and fill the role. It was quite a challenge to find somebody that could come to Moses Lake in light of some of the challenges we were facing,” Swartz said.

“In the very short period of time that he’s acted as our city manager, he’s been able to accomplish a lot of the things that I think a lot of us (on the council) wanted accomplished for a long time before he was in that position,” Swartz said.

Council member David Skaug agreed with Swartz on Fuhr’s effectiveness.

“I remember you saying that one of the things you liked to do is to get stuff done. And you certainly have,” Skaug said. “It was always a prompt response. It was always, ‘Talk to Kevin — he’ll get right back to you.’ I talked to Kevin about it, (and) something happened. It was appreciated much more than you know.”

Fuhr took over as city manager after serving twice as interim manager while simultaneously working as Moses Lake Police Chief, a job he held for seven years. Council member Mark Fancher said he first met Fuhr when the new chief contacted him for a meeting. 

“I said, ‘So what’s up? What did I do wrong? And he said ‘No, I just want to get to know the people in the community.’ I know you made that effort with lots of people that I know and it definitely made a difference,” Fancher said.

Council member Deanna Martinez said her discussions with other city officials around the state gave her a deeper appreciation for Fuhr’s effectiveness.

“It was quite often that I would say, ‘Everybody needs a Fuhr in their city.’ I greatly appreciate what you’ve done,” she said. 

Martinez and council member Judy Madewell both got a little choked up as they spoke. Madwell said Fuhr was always willing to talk to her, both when he was MLPD chief and later as city manager.

“I wanted to say from the bottom of my heart, thank you very much,” Madewell said.

Former assistant city manager Rich Huebner, now Selah city administrator, said he first got to know Fuhr at the Ag Appreciation Parade when Fuhr gave him a ride on a very cold night.

“I know you don’t like recognition like this, but you deserve it,” Huebner said. 

Fuhr said he was grateful to the city and to its residents.

“This city, when I came here eight years ago, I did not realize the impact it would have on my life,” he said. “I’ve been more blessed with the community, with the staff that I’ve had the honor of working with — it’s just been an amazing ride. I have created friendships here that will last a lifetime,” Fuhr said.

He worked for four different organizations, led three of them, he said, and Moses Lake was the best of them. His position as MLPD chief was the best job he ever had, he said. 

“I just can’t thank this council and previous councils enough for all the opportunities that I’ve been given in this community,” Fuhr said. ”I just can’t thank everybody enough.”

Swartz said city officials regretted Fuhr’s resignation, although they understand the circumstances. 

“Your impact here is not small and your absence will be felt quite a bit from us,” Swartz said. 

Cheryl Schweizer may be reached via email at cschweizer@columbiabasinherald.com.

    Now-retired Moses Lake City Manager Kevin Fuhr serves as grand marshal in the Moses Lake Spring Festival parade in May. Fuhr has retired to take care of his health as he continues to fight cancer.