Garfield candidates agree on several issues

GARFIELD -- Seven of the eight candidates for three City Council positions spoke to area residents at a candidate forum Thursday, Oct. 20. Both current mayor Gary Blackburn, and former mayor Laura Hamilton were in the audience. Incumbent Leonard Matthew Jr. was not present. The forum was hosted by The TIMES of Northeast Benton County; moderator was Kent Marts, publisher.

Susan Morrison, running against incumbent Dale Watkins, said she believes "fresh faces, fresh ideas, fresh approaches" are needed.

"There has been a kind of a deadlock ... we're all interested in Garfield and the betterment of our community," she said.

Watkins said the aldermen are passionate about the community. "The direction needs to be honed a little bit ... if we can calm things down and give a little respect to each other both ways, it will heal itself."

Scott Wassman, seeking the seat currently held by Katherine Shook, said city meetings are business and should not be personal. He said he would ask two questions when faced with a decision -- first, is it right or wrong for the city of Garfield and second is it good for the city.

Shook, who is seeking re-election, said an alderman's job is to control finances and she wants transparency in government and that in order to control and manage the city's finances, she needs answers to requests for information.

Matthew is seeking re-election, but was not present.

Seeking his seat are LaNette Amador, Dale King and Jim Teeselink.

Amador said: "There needs to be fresh faces. They're kind of stuck in the mud. There are five months of unapproved minutes. It seems to be more personal than business. We're here for a job. We're all there for the common good of Garfield."

King said, "It's not what Garfield can do for you, it's what you can do for Garfield. I want to make the communication better ... communicate with the people ... put something together that fits us all for a better Garfield."

Teeselink said, "I think that all meetings should be professional no matter what. It can't be about me. Everybody has to work together. The leadership of Garfield -- the mayor and the council men and women -- people should be able to look up to those members."

All candidates said they wanted to work on the infrastructure including the water lines and the streets, all said they believed the city should pass an ordinance prohibiting animals from being in City Hall and all agreed city meetings should be recorded.

Editor's note: This is the first in a two-part series on the Garfield City Council election.