OTHELLO -- Voters in Othello will pick between two councilmen for their new mayor in the Nov. 3 election.
Both say that retaining current businesses and recruiting new ones is the most important issue facing the town, but their proposals to accomplish that differ.
Tim Wilson, 54, says he would bring 35 years of management experience to the office, most recently as parts manager for Evergreen Implement.
He wants potential new business owners to see a town where they'd like their families to live. He's interested in improvements to Main Street, with lamp posts, trees or a theme among possibilities to be considered.
The town already has made progress with school improvements and a newer hospital and swimming pool, he said.
A city employee could be added to bring tourists to town, selling the community and capitalizing on the town's sports facilities, such as lighted ball diamonds, or on its large Hispanic soccer league, he said. Othello used to be the site of more sports tournaments, he said.
If the tourism job is done well, the position would pay for itself, he said.
He has a Web site at www.timwilsonformayor.com.
Ken Johnson, 48, manager for Johnson's Glass & Door, wants the city to be ready for new businesses when the economy takes a turn for the better.
The city needs to have infrastructure in place for new businesses and the city will have to be willing to "kick in" for that, he said.
"Growth pays for growth," he said.
He currently serves on the executive board of the Adams County Development Council and was a volunteer firefighter for 26 years.
His opponent agreed that working with the development council is important. Both men also said that continuing to improve the capacity of natural gas lines is important to recruit new business.
The mayor serves a four-year term and the position pays $500 a month.
-- For more election coverage, go to tricityherald.com/election.
* Annette Cary: 509-582-1533; acary@tricityherald.com
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