Medical Lake mayor, council hopefuls meet the people

Candidates running for both mayor and seats on the Medical Lake City Council met citizens at a community forum Oct. 4 in the high school auditorium.

Sponsored by Re-Imagine Medical Lake and moderated by Superintendent of Schools, Tim Ames, the forum attracted about 50 people.

According to a Re-Imagine news release, candidates had two minutes to answer each of six questions prepared in advance. The audience heard from mayoral candidates Shirley Maike and Mikeal Suniga as well as council hopefuls John Paikuli, Monica Manza, John Merrick, Elizabeth Rosenbeck, Tony Harbolt, Don Kennedy, Ted Olson and Gary Plumlee. Council Position No. 3 candidate AJ Burton is running unopposed and was not present.

Candidates shared their values, perspective and vision for the town. They voiced similar priorities for Medical Lake’s future including public safety, park maintenance and lighting. They were all for protecting the small-town, family-friendly environment that currently exists in the city.

And while there is a strong, widespread desire for an independent, local police force, most feel that the current city budget does not allow for any changes, the release noted.

Currently, law enforcement is the single largest item on the city’s $3.17 million-dollar budget at $934, 866. For the past several years the city has found it to be economically sound to contract public safety services to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

Where things began to differ was on the matter of unoccupied and dilapidated structures in the city limits. On one side is the notion that the city core looks attractive and suggests citizens try not to notice the eyesores. At the other end of the spectrum is the idea that these structures are an embarrassment to the community, and the owners should be encouraged to improve them. Nearly everyone voiced support for tougher enforcement of existing building codes.

Another issue dividing the candidates is how and whether to embrace growth in Medical Lake. Some residents wish to see the city stay small, preferably below the 5,000 population plateau that it is surely destined to cross.

Others emphasized the importance of building up and enticing more local businesses while encouraging visitors to spend more of their time and money in the city.