Pasco council candidates debate clinic, library, sales tax

By Dalina Castellanos, Herald staff writer

PASCO -- Two contested races for Pasco City Council will be decided on the Nov. 3 ballot as the city faces tough decisions over a proposed Planned Parenthood clinic, a public safety tax and a new library contract.

Councilman Mike Garrison, 66, who has served on the council for 22 years, is facing Alecia Greenaway, 45, for the District 2 seat.

And Tom Larsen, 76, is being challenged by Todd Samuel, 44, for his at-large seat, which Larsen has held for more than seven years.

Councilman Bob Hoffman and Mayor Joyce Olson also are up for re-election, but are running unopposed for Districts 3 and 4.

Garrison-Greenaway

The proposed Planned Parenthood clinic will come before the council after the clinic recently appealed a planning commission decision to deny it a permit to open a women's health care clinic on Court Street next to Mark Twain Elementary School.

Council members are barred from commenting on the issue because they will oversee the hearing in November. Because of that, Garrison didn't comment on the issue.

Greenaway, on the other hand, said she agreed the permit should be denied, saying it's not a moral issue so much as a legal issue.

"You've got safety issues there next to the school and the street," she said. The clinic primarily will be used by teenagers, she said, and "they are the worst drivers."

She suggested the clinic should look into moving to a less busy street. The organization bought the building in May.

Pasco also is tied up in negotiations with the Mid-Columbia Library District for operating the library. The city hopes to reduce the cost of the contract, gain more services at the same cost or branch out on its own.

Under the contract, the city pays a fee based on the city's assessed value and the district's tax levy rate. Pasco's recent growth has simultaneously increased the assessed value and the library fees.

Garrison, who sat on the library negotiation committee twice -- 10 and 20 years ago -- said a new agreement with a new operating cost formula would be fine, but the possibility of Pasco managing its own library also has benefits.

"It will give (the city) the flexibility to open another library facility on the west side (of Pasco)," he said. "I feel that the (contract) money has been pushed into other communities instead of allowing Pasco to expand and grow."

Greenaway agreed another branch on the west side of town would be beneficial, but hesitated to say much else because she doesn't have enough information. "Until you have it all, it's kind of hard to say (branching out) is the right way to go," she said.

Larsen-Samuel

Samuel, chairman of the planning commission, voted against the Planned Parenthood permit application, saying he thought potential protests at the site could become a public safety issue.

If it wasn't on the busy street, Samuel said, he would consider granting the permit. "I have an open mind," he said.

Samuel also supports the 0.3 percent sales tax increase that will be on the same ballot to pay for public safety facilities. He said although he wants to keep taxes as low as possible, the additional tax is necessary to keep crime rates down.

"We need to spend some money to keep Pasco safe," he said.

Larsen did not respond to the Herald's interview requests or participate in any public forums. He said there was "no need" for him to do so because he's confident his showing in the primary election will carry over to the general election.

Larsen won the primary election in August with 51 percent of the vote.

Council member salaries will be $900 per month, with the mayor receiving an additional $200 per month.

Ballots will be mailed Oct. 13 in Franklin County and must be postmarked by Nov. 3.

-- For more election coverage, go to tricityherald.com/election.

-- Dalina Castellanos: 509-582-1542; dcastellanos@tricityherald.com

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Monday, Oct. 12, 2009

Pasco council candidates debate clinic, library, sales tax

By Dalina Castellanos, Herald staff writer