Is it time for a new West Richland mayor? The Herald weighs in on this important race
The West Richland Mayor’s race could be a turning point for the community.
In one corner there’s Mayor Brent Gerry, who for eight years has led the city through a terrific time of growth and development, not to mention the challenges of COVID.
In the other corner is challenger Kate Moran, who is still in her first term on the city council. She hasn’t served two full years and already has set her sights on being mayor.
With four seats up for grabs, this is a choice between status quo and a shakeup of how West Richland government is run. It’s a choice between a tightly controlled city council and one that has a chance to more freely discuss issues and ideas in public.
While many improvements have been made in the community under Gerry’s watch, we think it is time to relax the reins and apply a more open approach to running city council meetings.
We side with Moran. She served in the U.S. Navy for nine years before moving to West Richland, and is now a nuclear facilities specialist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Moran also is the former chair of the city’s planning commission and served on the West Richland Police Department Community Advisory Board.
Unlike Richland, Kennewick and Pasco that all operate under a council-manager form of government, West Richland is run with a strong-mayor system.
That means instead of hiring a city manager to handle the day-to-day operations of the city, West Richland citizens elect a full-time mayor who also acts as the city administrator.
Moran would like to see a public discussion on switching to a city manager form of government, which ironically would reduce her power if she were elected mayor.
Gerry says city staff already has studied the issue and the general fund cannot support such a change at this time. He said an employee position would have to be cut in order to hire a city manager.
Gerry is a keen businessman. He and his wife are second generation owners of Richland AutoCare Center and he proudly says that he brings business sense to city government. He is looking out for the bottom line for taxpayers in the community, he says, and that growth pays for growth.
On paper, West Richland has made much progress with Gerry at the helm. New buildings house city employees and new residential developments have erupted within the city’s borders.
New businesses have started up. In the Voters’ Pamphlet Gerry notes that under his leadership the city was able to pay off over $1.2 million in infrastructure loans early, and he helped bring in $9.5 million in state and federal grants to enhance the city.
These are all commendable accomplishments.
The concern that Moran brings up, however, is a startling one.
Perhaps it took someone new to the city council to notice just how restricted the city’s elected body is with Gerry in charge — although some other West Richland council candidates have echoed the concern.
From what Moran is saying, it is very difficult for council members to add topics to the agenda. Gerry creates the agenda and the only way topics can be added is if there is majority of council members who agree to the discussion.
Trying to get that accomplished while not breaking the rules of the Washington State Open Public Meetings Act is pretty tricky.
Moran, who will remain on the council for another two years even if not elected mayor, also would like to see more workshop opportunities. That way the council can discuss issues informally and allow the public to hear the discussion. There also is apparently a city code that does not allow city council members to talk about a topic once a vote has been taken.
These rules apparently are laid out in a West Richland council handbook. While those restrictions may have served a purpose when they were first written, those codes are now in need of a major overhaul.
Gerry said city council members are policy makers that vote on agenda items brought to them. As it happens, those agenda items are set by Gerry himself.
The way the process is set up now, it is far too easy for the mayor and other council members to completely shut out opinions from other council members they don’t agree with.
That is not in the best interest of the community.
Gerry said he has an open door policy and council members can talk directly to staff, and they can call or email him with concerns any time.
But it seemed clear to us during the interview that Gerry has an unhealthy stranglehold on the city council. We encourage readers to watch the full interview to get a better sense of this important issue.
Moran is right. Shutting out council members who don’t have the backing of other council members is also shutting out members of the community.
It’s time to let more light in West Richland city government.
The Tri-City Herald recommends Kate Moran for West Richland Mayor.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREBehind Our Election Recommendations
Who decides the recommendations?
Members of The Tri-City Herald editorial board is comprised of experienced opinion journalists and community members, and is separate from The Herald’s newsroom. Conversations are on the record.
What does the recommendation process entail?
Whenever possible, The Herald editorial board meets with opposing candidates at the same time. The questions are largely focused on a candidate’s qualifications and goals. The editorial board then discusses the candidates in each race and decides who to recommend. Board members seek to reach a consensus on our recommendations, but not every decision is unanimous.
Is the editorial board partisan?
No. In making recommendations, members of the editorial board consider which candidates are well prepared to represent their constituents — not whether they agree with us or belong to a particular political party. We evaluate candidates’ relevant experience, their readiness for office, their depth of knowledge of key issues, their understanding of public policy and their ability to work with the current board . We’re seeking candidates who are thoughtful and who offer more than just party-line talking points. The editorial board will endorse both Republicans and Democrats.
Why are the editorials unsigned?
Our election recommendations reflect the collective views of The Herald’s editorial board — not just the opinion of one writer. For the 2022 election, the board includes: Cecilia Rexus, Herald editorial writer; Laurie Williams, Herald executive editor; Jack Briggs, retired Herald publisher; Ken Robertson, retired Herald executive director; Matt Taylor, retired Herald editorial writer; Mike Paoli and Martin Valadez, community representatives.
This story was originally published October 27, 2021 at 1:05 PM.