Elections

Election: West Richland mayoral candidates answer your questions

By Cory McCoy

Updated October 22, 2025 6:04 PM

2025 Election: What Tri-City candidates had to say

More than 30 candidates for school boards, city councils and port commissions answered questions as part of a new initiative to connect readers with local leaders.

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West Richland has three competitive city council races, as well as the mayoral race on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Both candidates for mayor are incumbents council members looking to replace outgoing Mayor Brent Gerry, who chose not to run for reelection.

The Tri-City Herald sent each candidate a list of questions from readers and our newsroom. Candidates were asked to answer the same questions as their opponent, or respond to a question relevant to a specific position an incumbent has taken.

Click on each question to show the candidate’s answer.

Fred Brink

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is your stance on local firework ordinances?

Our current fireworks ordinances no longer fit our city’s character and our rapidly growing population.

As clearly stated in prior council meetings, I fully support reviewing our community’s ordinances for needed changes. Although enjoying fireworks can be an exciting experience, they also pose increased danger to our community during dry conditions, in addition to causing potential harm to people and pets, especially individuals suffering from PTSD.

As a fire commissioner for Benton County Fire District #4, I worked directly with the fire chief to ensure our citizens were provided information regarding July 4th local fireworks-related calls in a recent, widely attended city council meeting. In addition, I routinely collaborate with my fellow councilmembers in our neighboring Tri-City communities to help ensure we are working together toward ensuring the celebration of our July 4th holiday is done in a consistently safe and rational manner across our region.

2. Lewis and Clark Ranch will double the size of the city over the next century. As a member of the council, what are your priorities for this massive development?

The vast scale of this development drives priorities in several areas. First, planning key infrastructure needs such as water, sewer, transportation, energy and connectivity to serve a 7,000-acre development is paramount. Further, this design must be resilient against potential climate impacts and other natural hazards.

A range of housing options, carefully considered mixed-use and commercial zones, parks and open spaces must be part of the planning strategy. Police, fire, medical service and school needs must also be designed and built along with projected population growth. In doing so, the sensitive Yakima River shoreline ecosystems and remaining shrub-steppe areas must be preserved, and other environmental concerns carefully weighed.

Finally, it is important job and other economic opportunities are created which provide local employment options for our new residents. These priorities will help ensure the Lewis and Clark Ranch becomes a sustainable and economically vibrant community offering a high quality of life.

3. What approaches would you favor to grow the city's revenue to keep up with the fast-growing population?

As our city’s general fund presently depends primarily on property and sales tax revenue, West Richland should adopt a more robust revenue-growth strategy. One step is working closely with our local and regional Chambers of Commerce to attract new businesses and commercial development in key areas such as the Lewis and Clark Ranch and along existing traffic corridors.

We would also benefit from greater business diversification. Certain technology, light manufacturing, healthcare and retail sectors already align with our city’s geographic and demographic profile and these businesses would help reduce financial vulnerability to single-industry downturns.

Pursuing more grants to further invest in roads and other improvements will increase attractiveness to businesses and retail activity which generates tax revenue. Looking internally for potential cost-cutting measures while explaining to citizens how additional tax revenues will be reinvested in public services should enhance community support for other initiatives to increase our general fund revenue.

4. West Richland has seen some turmoil in its police department, how would you approach rebuilding trust with officers and the public?

Rebuilding trust requires an approach which addresses both police officer needs and public perceptions.

Establishing clear communication through regular public updates about reforms, policy changes and initiatives will help to build greater credibility and openness. With the recent hiring of a new police chief, steps have already been taken to foster a renewed environment of trust that our police department is genuinely committed to improvement rather than superficial change.

Further, in my experience as a retired federal law enforcement officer, it is essential transparent accountability mechanisms be established and effectively implemented. There must be clear messaging during any internal investigations to prevent misinformation and rumors. Citizens must also be engaged to collaboratively address their concerns.

Finally, I bring my record of successfully negotiating two collective bargaining agreements with the International Association of Firefighters, Local 1052, to help resolve the ongoing labor contract dispute with the West Richland Police Officers Association.

5. City councils are non-partisan, but we often see endorsements. Would you accept an endorsement from a political party? Why or why not?

No. I have not sought and will not accept an endorsement from any political party because all city, town and special district elective offices are non-partisan, as articulated in RCW 29A.52.231.

In fact, when speaking before the Benton County Republican Party last month, I specifically stated I did not seek their party’s endorsement because of the non-partisan nature of this position.

6. West Richland has a very active animal control officer, but as the city grows, so too will the stray population. How would you approach this need?

As West Richland grows, the number of stray animals will also increase. Proactively addressing this issue begins with emphasizing robust compliance with the existing dog licensing system to help track lost or stray pets and quickly reunite the animal with their owner.

Additional steps include robust collaboration with Tri-City Animal Control and the Benton Franklin Humane Society to relocate impounded animals to help prevent kennel overcrowding and minimize holding durations. Expanding the volunteer network for short-term foster pet care will improve animal socialization and adoption potential.

Advertising of spay/neuter programs through local partnerships with veterinarians and local animal organizations could help reduce stray animal reproduction. Education and outreach through school programs, local media and public workshops will bring greater awareness of this issue.

Finally, hiring an additional animal control officer will also provide more direct resources toward creating safer, healthier conditions for both citizens and animals in our city.

7. Both candidates in this race are currently on the city council. Why should West Richland residents choose you for mayor?

My Navy service and FBI background adds a unique perspective to my leadership approach by combining discipline, strategic thinking, and a lifetime commitment to public service. This diversity positions me well to handle city governance complexities while offering a clear vision for the future which fits the needs of our community.

I support balanced growth while preserving our family-oriented environment, an approach which enhances daily life for all residents. Serving as Mayor Pro Tem provides me firsthand knowledge of our city's operations.

Further, my recent election as president of the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) emphasizes my skill in advocating for our city on a state level while partnering with other city leaders across our state. My endorsements also underscore my strong community support, my dedication to tackling community issues, and my ability to deliver clear and direct responses to the challenges facing West Richland today and into the future.

Fred Brink is the Position 6 incumbent.

May Hays

1. What is your stance on local firework ordinances?

Fireworks have long been a tradition in West Richland that people come from all over to see. However, I do recognize that it does come with its downsides.

As mayor, my approach would be to reach out to residents to seek their input and then work closely with City Council to develop solutions that allow us to best serve our community’s needs. Through collaboration, we can uphold safety for residents while still supporting the tradition of fireworks celebrations.

2. Lewis and Clark Ranch will double the size of the city over the next century. As a member of the council, what are your priorities for this massive development?

The Lewis and Clark Ranch is currently designed to be a community within our community. I personally feel that such a plan alienates this community from the rest of West Richland, effectively making them their own city with their own unique problems.

I also have concerns that this project has not been widely discussed with residents and City Council, resulting in a lack of clear vision for the project. My priority would be to take a step back and reevaluate this project.

I think that there are a lot of wonderful growth opportunities with this project, and I want to make sure that we do what is best for the entire community.

3. What approaches would you favor to grow the city's revenue to keep up with the fast-growing population?

This is a critical issue for the future of West Richland. Currently, our city is facing financial crisis, and our citizens are struggling under the burden of high property taxes. Our current financial revenue model of relying on property taxes and building fees is not sustainable.

We need more businesses to provide sales tax revenue, which would relieve some of the financial burden off the residents. During my time with the Chamber of Commerce I have made connections with business leaders in the area and will use those resources to form a plan for commercial growth.

4. West Richland has seen some turmoil in its police department, how would you approach rebuilding trust with officers and the public?

The change must start within the department. We need to ensure that trust and support exist between officers and command staff so that our officers feel safe and supported in their work.

We can then work on establishing community policing programs that will allow our officers to interact with individuals and businesses in the community. Through all this, we need total transparency from top down.

5. City councils are non-partisan, but we often see endorsements. Would you accept an endorsement from a political party? Why or why not?

Endorsements should be coming from the citizens. How do endorsements from big names or organizations help our community?

An endorsement from a citizen means more to me than anything else, those are the people I serve, not the big names.

6. West Richland has a very active animal control officer, but as the city grows, so too will the stray population. How would you approach this need?

West Richland has always had a history of care and concern related to animals. If the city grows wisely, we will be able to develop a budget to provide an additional animal control officer and even facilities to house any animals that are collected.

7. Both candidates in this race are currently on the city council. Why should West Richland residents choose you for mayor?

During my tenure on city council, I have worked to change the status quo. City council has been left in the dark on issues, like our lawsuits. I have been working to have more transparency in our city by asking questions and seeking more information.

I will be managing the city with integrity, honesty, and transparency and relying on the members of city council whom you have elected. I want to keep the public engaged in our city, and if elected, I will encourage residents to come and talk with me about their concerns.

May Hays is the Position 3 incumbent.

This story was originally published October 20, 2025 at 11:18 AM.

Cory McCoy

Tri-City Herald

Cory is an award-winning investigative reporter. He joined the Tri-City Herald in Dec. 2021 as an Editor/Reporter covering social accountability issues. His past work can be found in the Tyler Morning Telegraph and other Texas newspapers. He was a 2019-20 Education Writers Association Fellow, and has been featured on The Murder Tapes, Grave Mysteries and Crime Watch Daily with Chris Hansen.