Ward system stays in place

An attempt by at-large Councilman Bob Parks to abolish the ward system for electing Kennewick City council members fizzled Tuesday on a 4-3 vote.

"I've been pushing for this for a while," said Parks, who said going to citywide council seats would attract more candidates.

"There's a lot of talent out there and competition is a good thing," he said.

But Councilman Bob Olson, who has the longest tenure on the council, refused to budge from the ward system.

"This is a good idea and it should stay. If (having citywide elections) is such a good thing, why aren't the county commissioners doing it?" he said.

Olson was joined by the council's three newest members -- Mayor Pro Tem Sharon Brown, Don Britain and John Hubbard.

The current ward system ensures representation for each area of the city, Hubbard said.

And it would cost candidates more to run a citywide campaign, Brown noted.

Britain didn't like that taxpayers would have to pay nearly $10,000 for the Benton County Auditor's Office to print new voter registration cards for all of Kennewick's registered voters.

Britain also said Parks, who has to run citywide as an at-large councilman, has had only one person run against him in the last two election cycles. That suggests having no wards wouldn't necessarily attract more candidates, Britain said.

Councilman Paul Parish sided with Parks, saying he decided issues from a citywide perspective, not just for his ward.

"I have never voted for something based on my particular ward," Parish said.

Mayor Steve Young voted with the minority to eliminate the ward system, but did not explain his position.

Also Tuesday:

w The council voted to approve a settlement agreement with Gary Long Jr. and the Columbia Park Golf Course Inc. relating to issues on the lease for operating the golf course.

The vote reversed council action of April 21, when Brown and Hubbard balked at the settlement terms, and Olson wanted to wait because Parks and Britain were absent.

But with the full council in attendance Tuesday, the vote was 6-1, with Hubbard opposed, to pay Long nearly $330,000 that includes money for equipment, vehicles and supplies, and a return on some of Long's capital investments in the golf course.

The settlement also has the city giving up a strip of land along Columbia Center Boulevard that Long wants for additional parking on commercial property he recently purchased.

w John Trumbo: 582-1529; jtrumbo@tricityherald.com