I’ve always enjoyed fireworks. That said, I also recognize that times have changed. Today, we have more homes encroaching into the desert; more residents suffering from PTSD; and more homeowners have dogs or other pets that are stressed by fireworks. A citywide ban sounds like a solution, but it can be difficult to enforce and may not be effective.

A more balanced approach would be to amend Section 8.22 “Fireworks” to prohibit the sale and use of aerial fireworks within West Richland city limits. These present the greatest safety hazards, noise concerns, and risk of property damage or wildfire. Additionally, the permitted use period should be restricted to July 4th and December 31st only. This provides clarity for both residents and law enforcement.

To ensure consistency, Section 9.38 “Noise Regulation” should be reviewed and amended in conjunction with the fireworks code.

Development of the Lewis and Clark Ranch has been discussed through the years with no forward movement until now. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to shape West Richland’s future for generations. My priority for this massive development is to provide smart and balanced growth; diverse and affordable housing (apartments, townhomes, single family homes); mobility (roads, pathways for bikes and people); secured water rights; infrastructure (parks, water, sewer, electrical); and retain the culture that has made West Richland a home to so many.

West Richland population is experiencing rapid growth and an increasing population, with the city needing to expand their tax base to continue providing those services the residents have come to expect. And, also in a way that does not burden existing residents.

I believe the time has come to hire an economic development staff person to promote, make inquiries, attract and showcase the city to a variety of new businesses such as commercial and industrial. Residential growth will occur naturally resulting in increasing property values and additional tax revenue. West Richland is the Gateway to the Red Mountain AVA and it is time the city capitalizes on it. This new staff should be experienced in writing grants and developing partnerships with state, federal programs and private entrepreneurs.

Rapid growth should not hamstring the city but enable us to capitalize on it providing additional revenue for the city.

As a resident of West Richland, I trust the officers in the West Richland police department. The officers are professionals who are doing their jobs in a department that for the most part has not supported them..

Rebuilding trust within the West Richland Police Department begins with an open dialogue between the city council, the new police chief and the police officers, targeting past and current grievances. Only when bringing all to the table and allowing the officers to be part of the solution will, I believe, see the department begin to heal..

As our city grows, it is only natural that pet or wildlife related calls will increase We need to develop a plan so that our very active animal control officer, is not overwhelmed.

I would like to see monthly data from the animal control officer to be able to plan for staff increases when the numbers rise to a level additional help is needed. I would like to partner with Pet Over Population Prevention, Mikey’s Chance and other rescue groups to promote microchipping, spay/neuter programs, and foster programs. Sometimes being a stray is not their fault and having help from a city or organization can give a dog or cat a family and a home.

I support the celebration of our country’s independence with fireworks, and it is my opinion that we have sufficient restrictions in our current ordinances that follow State of Washington Guidelines. However citizens must be responsible and respectful to their neighbors. I will work to add fireworks debris to our nuisance litter law (8.16.030.b); and to include fireworks recklessly discharged to ordinance 9.36.030. I support holding people responsible for any damage they cause to public or private property, including fires. I have proposed that council discuss the option to allow the use of certain parks or school yards for use by groups that wish to organize an Independence Day fireworks celebration open to all residents. If properly designed, such an event would have a positive economic impact while providing citizens with an option better than small neighborhood displays.

The preservation of rural and high quality residential neighborhood characteristics are important to West Richland residents. I support growth of both residential and commercial development. I do not support form based building code or the push for soviet-style “15-minute Cities.” We have 20 square miles in West Richland; and residents move here to experience the quiet and family friendly neighborhood atmosphere. It is important that we plan for neighborhoods that do not force residents to drive through the traffic of a commercial center on their daily commute.

There are two sides to the budget equation: Revenue and Spending. The city can enhance revenue by reducing city imposed regulations to entice both commercial and residential growth. We can also reduce spending on elements that deviate from the core responsibilities of city government.

With a population of around 18,000 living under about 5,000 rooftops, my focus is to maintain on high quality municipal services that touch residents lives every day. As we continue to attract new residents, business opportunities will expand. I am confident that West Richland will persevere through this fiscally difficult stage of growth and will celebrate a bright future as we approach and surpass 25,000 residents. In the meantime, we must resist those who would saddle us with more debt and spending.

In our strong mayor form of government, leading with integrity starts with the mayor, chief, and follows through the command. Open and honest communication is critical. Officers should be encouraged to voice their concerns early and as often as needed – without fear of reprisals. Leadership should provide a timely response vetted by a consensus of officers, command, and a citizen’s advisory committee when requested. If a satisfactory resolution is not found within 1-2 weeks, council should be briefed, and appropriate actions implemented. Under no circumstances should an issue or concern be allowed to devolve into a caustic or divisive distraction to the critical service provided by our law enforcement personnel. Personal vendettas, unreasonable demands, misbehavior from any direction, or even requests for support – no matter how small or large - should be promptly addressed when first revealed. Council should be privy to all written concerns brought by any department.

I would welcome endorsements from groups or organizations that are not publically funded and whose values and principles do not conflict with mine. Elected leaders must remain above reproach when they make decisions to fund taxpayer supported professions. Accepting endorsements from those employed or otherwise supported by city tax dollars can cause citizens to question whether an elected official is acting through unbiased analysis or if the benefiting group somehow gained funding leverage through its endorsement of the candidate.

An Analysis Of Alternatives (AOA) is appropriate for this hypothetical problem. Our job is to be frugal with tax dollars – therefore several options beyond simply hiring another officer may be considered:

1) consider employing a private contractor to handle duties that are not outward facing to the public;

2) cross train other city staff to assist where appropriate;

3) enlist the help of volunteers;

4) review ordinances and procedures to see if efficiencies can be gained. I would welcome other creative solutions and would look forward to discussing this with the council at a public workshop. Deferred maintenance on a growing list of roads, parks, and municipal infrastructure adds to our financial obligations daily; so the city must prioritize core services and find creative – lower cost - solutions whenever possible.

I support WRMC 8.22 and 9.39 as they are currently written. Our solution to the fireworks quarrel is already there. WRMC balances the need for public safety and the citizens’ desire for fireworks. It adopts the standards of the WA State Fire Marshal’s Office, contains provisions for suspension of fireworks use, recovery of costs associated with fireworks response, prohibits property damage due to fireworks, and prohibits fireworks in parks or private property without consent of the property owner. The types of fireworks allowed/prohibited are also listed. As a Navy veteran and former sworn law enforcement officer, I support maximum freedom with maximum responsibility. A complete fireworks ban is unreasonable. A complete fireworks free-for-all is equally unreasonable. I believe reasonable people do reasonable things. We don’t need more laws or rules on this issue. A reasonable solution with respect to fireworks can be reached.

Support continued development while expanding and maintaining essential city services; encourage development of middle housing and resist efforts toward densification; seek greater citizen involvement in policy and planning decisions.

Revenue growth should be in proportion to the city’s growth. I believe promoting a healthy and profitable environment for businesses will produce greater revenue and allow us to minimize tax increases. The city should avoid investing in start-ups. We have a fiduciary responsibility to the people paying the bills (taxpayers).

As a former police officer, I lived through department turmoil. The current administration has not adequately supported our officers or addressed their concerns. The city is facing millions of dollars in lawsuits as a result. I will listen to the officers on the street and ensure their concerns are not ignored. I do not support de-funding our police or minimizing their mission in any way.

Non-partisan does not mean values-neutral. I believe party affiliation can help voters determine a candidate’s values. Relying on the non-partisan argument in a campaign is often a way of concealing one’s values. I am the conservative choice for city council. I am endorsed by the Benton County Republican party.

The city can and should maintain working partnerships with animal groups. Existing city ordinances are sufficient at this time.

Fireworks are awesome and dangerous. Some families leave our town and other families travel here for the experience. We need to be aware of the needs of both groups. The city currently has limited the days of sale and use. I would be hesitant to add additional regulations.

I have heard my boys excitedly share stories of fireworks on the 4th. Their cousins from other cities don’t have those same stories. I would vote to build memories as long as we safely can.

We need to make sure that we have appropriate infrastructure and amenities. A long range strategy to address the increase in traffic would be one of my primary concerns. I would lean on our planning commission to be thoughtful in our zoning and long term plans.

I like the use of opportunity zones and the creation of business incubators. These are proven tools to increase local business.

We need to remember that our businesses are also part of our city and not just a revenue source. We need to be responsive and helpful when working with them.

The issues have largely been internal and the community still looks favorably on our department. There have been changes in personnel and leadership that will take time to shake out. I think we are on the right track and should revisit the situation in a year.

No political party has a monopoly on good ideas. I don’t affiliate with a political party and wouldn’t look for an endorsement. I can work with both sides and all groups. I don’t want to feel beholden to anyone except the people of West Richland.

The only reasonable option will be maximizing our public/private partnerships. We can enable the many private groups of animal lovers that we work with to stretch our resources. We will eventually have to hire additional ACOs or staff.

I love celebrating the 4th of July, but we all saw this year how dangerous fireworks can be in hot, windy conditions. A total ban sounds simple but I don’t think is realistic today.

Instead, I support limiting the days and hours fireworks are allowed, cracking down on reckless use, and aligning our fireworks and noise codes so they’re clear and enforceable. We can keep the tradition while protecting our neighborhoods.

Growth is coming, and pretending it isn’t is how communities end up with poor planning and development. The Lewis and Clark Ranch is a once in a generation opportunity. If we plan it well, we can create new parks and trails, attract businesses, and build vibrant neighborhoods that add to West Richland’s small town character.

My priorities are ensuring infrastructure like roads and utilities come first, protecting open spaces, and encouraging balanced growth that includes housing option types for everyone. This project can either overwhelm our city or strengthen it, planning smart will make all the difference.

We need to expand our tax base through smart, responsible development, not by raising taxes on families. Attracting local businesses, supporting tourism as the gateway to Red Mountain AVA, and encouraging balanced commercial growth will provide sustainable revenue.

I also believe in accountability: regular audits and competitive bidding ensure every dollar is spent wisely and taxpayers see real value for their money.

Trust is built on communication and consistency. The deafening silence from the city earlier this year when residents raised questions about police leadership was unacceptable, and the city must do better. I’d support open dialogue between leadership, officers, and the community so concerns are heard and addressed.

Council must also ensure the department has stable funding, clear policies, and leadership that prioritizes both accountability and morale. Public safety depends on officers and residents trusting each other.

I purposely have not sought party endorsements. City Council should be about solving local problems like growth, traffic, parks, public safety. Not partisan politics.

Today’s politics have become so toxic and polarizing that I have zero interest in bringing messy partisan politics into a space where it doesn’t belong. As a 30+ year resident, my focus in on representing all residents and on the issues that matter most to West Richland.

As West Richland grows, we’ll need to support our animal control officer with resources and staffing to keep up. Partnering with shelters and nonprofits can also help manage stray populations.

Education and community outreach, such as promoting spay/neuter programs, are key to preventing problems before they grow.

The firework regulation need to be revisited. The sale of fireworks in West Richland has gotten out of control, creating issues in our surrounding communities. The population of West Richland has more than tripled since aerial fireworks were approved and the density of housing is increasing, creating additional safety issues. There needs to be greater emphasis on owner responsibility and liability relative to the use of fireworks.

To the extent possible, maintain the attributes of West Richland that makes it one of the best places to live in the Tri-Cities.

West Richland is a bedroom community without a significant sales tax base and significant limitation (1%) on property tax growth. For the past 20+ years, revenue growth is dependent on new construction providing both sales tax on materials, and an increased property tax base not limited to the 1% cap.

The increased revenue pressure due to population increase is most noticed in park and street maintenance areas. Richland’s Queensgate area assures no significant retail sales within the City. There is no silver bullet solution to provide significant revenue growth other than a levy lid lift and encouraging home delivery of purchased items and encouraging residents to buy big ticket items (cars and RVs) out of state is one possibility of increasing tax revenue.

Rarely in situations where there is turmoil there is a simple fix. Resolving turmoil within the department is the responsibility of the Mayor and his staff. I do not believe there has been a breakdown of trust between the public and our police department, but rather some breakdown of trust between the public and the City administration. Is the turmoil fully resolved? Hurt feelings seldom fully go away.

Because it is a non-partisan position, I did not ask for an endorsement of any political party. I represent all the residents of West Richland regardless of party affiliation.

Currently, West Richland has limited facilities and is reliant on volunteers to foster many of the animals, hopefully as the population grows, the number of volunteers will also grow. Previously West Richland made arrangement with the Tri-City Animal Shelter (TCAS) for support, rather than to build a separate facility. The issues with TCAS have limited this cooperation. With the new facility coming on line, hopefully the agreement can be reestablished.