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.
