Candidates for Rockford, Wash., Town Council and Mayor Positions Voiced Major Concerns at Candidate Forum

McIntosh Grange in Rockford, Washington hosted a candidates forum July 16, 2013 at which the following candidates for Town Council positions and Mayor addressed the audience and answered questions: 

• Mayor Micki Harnois, incumbent and candidate for Mayor.
• David Thompson, incumbent and candidate for Council Position No. 1.
• Robert Tollefson, candidate for Council Position No. 5.
• Carrie Roecks, incumbent and candidate for Council Position No. 2.
• Steve Myers, former Council member and candidate for Mayor.

Chuck Colleson, candidate for Council Position No. 1, provided a statement explaining that his current job in Quincy (until August) prevented his attendance. Steve Lyle Christman, candidate for Council Position No. 1, didn't attend.

 
Mayor Harnois explained that incumbent and candidate for Council Position No. 5, Larry Van Every, was recently called out of town due to a family emergency. She said that although his name is on the printed ballots, Van Every emailed his resignation to her, and said that he will not be a candidate in the election. Harnois explained the election process in such cases.
 
Each candidate spoke for five minutes and related their background and qualifications, and stated why they wanted to be elected.

Myers, Roecks and Harnois cited extensive previous experience in governing positions and businesses. All three have previously held a Rockford Town Council position.

In addition, Myers background includes being an Engineer and businessman, and was a coach at Freeman Schools for 20 years.

Harnois listed membership in numerous governing and civic organizations in Spokane and Rockford, in addition to her current employment.

Raised in Rockford, Roecks previously she served on the Council and as Town Clerk for eight years, and outlined her experience in jobs that enhanced her qualifications for election to Council Position No. 2. She and her husband returned to Rockford two years ago and have daughters and grandchildren living here. .

The major concerns of all the candidates are the town's wastewater treatment plant\lagoon problems, which they estimated will cost $3 million to repair to EPA mandated condition, plus ongoing problems with the town's water systems.

Accountability for contracted jobs was also cited as a major concern.

Each candidate fielded the variety of lesser concerns, submitted to them by written questions from the audience.

During a break for refreshments, provided by McIntosh Grange members, the candidates mingled with the audience to discuss any concerns presented to them. Following the break the candidates had three minutes each to present a closing statement.

The Grange plans to hold another Candidate Forum later this year. Primary election is August 6, 2013, and the general election follows in November.

For additional information about Rockford candidates, read the July 2013 issue of The Current [pgs. 8-9], available free at Spokane Valley and Palouse area businesses. The Current, a valley-wide community news monthly is also available by subscription from Peridot Publishing LLC, P.O. Box 363, Liberty Lake, WA 99019. Contact (509) 242-7752.