Our Voice: Parish and Boehnke for Kennewick City Council

A veteran city council member is being challenged by a political novice who has dedicated herself to learning about the city.

Diane Crawford is taking on Paul Parish for Kennewick City Council, Position 6, At-Large.

Parish, who has served five terms on the council, says he has projects he’d like to see through. Those include the new Boys & Girls club, the extension of Steptoe Street, financing for the development of Vista Field and Fire Station No. 6 at Southridge. Parish, who has called Kennewick home since 1978, has a depth of experience as a businessman and council member.

Crawford, who moved to the Tri-Cities in 1991, has embraced Kennewick. She is a graduate of the city’s Citizens Academy and a frequent visitor to council meetings.

The council’s vote to move to four at-large positions last year and just three ward positions was controversial. Crawford called the change underhanded, believing it was a move of self-preservation for some long-time council members. Parish said the ward system favors incumbents, and the at-large positions level the playing field. By voting in favor of the change, Parish opened up his position to city-wide challengers.

Crawford was opposed to the city’s ban on pot businesses. Parish was not opposed to marijuana use, but thinks allowing sales and growing operations would bring problems and supports the ban.

We admire Crawford’s dedication and persistence, but Parish’s knowledge is just too valuable to the council. We recommend Paul Parish be returned to the council.

For Kennewick City Council Position 5, another long term council member is being challenged.

Bob Olson has been on the city council for nearly 28 years. His opponent, Matt Boehnke, is a political newcomer.

Like Parish, Olson looks forward to seeing the conclusion of big projects he has had a hand in while still on the council. Boehnke is eager to be a part of the new things ahead for Kennewick, including the bridge-to-bridge makeover and Vista Fields rebirth as a retail and cultural hub for the Tri-Cities.

Both agree that federal law supercedes the will of state voters when it comes to marijuana and support the city’s ban.

We have concerns about how Olson ended up in this particular race for city council. He had been representing Ward 1, but his home became part of Ward 2 after the city made adjustments to the districts following the last census. That would have pitted him against Parish, had the ward system stayed intact. Olson said he wouldn’t run against Parish. Olson, who had supported the ward system in the past, changed his position on the issue and was the deciding vote to increase at-large positions. This allowed him to avoid running against Parish.

Boehnke, a Kamiakin High graduate who chose to return to Kennewick after retiring as a senior officer in the Army, brings new energy and enthusiasm. He also brings to the council experience working with diverse cultures and opinions.

We recognize Olson’s decades of service, but in this case, we believe it’s time for a change. We recommend Matt Boehnke.

This story was originally published October 13, 2015 at 6:17 PM with the headline "Our Voice: Parish and Boehnke for Kennewick City Council."