Lover says he's ready to debate the issues with Soria

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Bill Lover had this to say today about Ben Soria, the soon-to-retire Yakima school Superintendent who is challenging Lover for his seat on the Yakima City Council.

“The last thing we need in City Hall is another bureaucrat,” he quipped.

Lover apologized for being unavailable for comment Friday, the day Soria’s surprise entry into the council race had City Hall buzzing. Two others, T.J. Davis and Mitchell Smith, are also gunning for Lover’s seat.

Lover said he has no doubt that campaign spending will grow as a result of the crowded field, which will be winnowed from four to two in the Aug. 18 primary.

He also said that he looks forward to a “vigorous” debate of the issues, and characterized the differences between himself and Soria as “vision vs. critical thinking.”

In saying that, he explained that he sees himself as the critical thinker. Soria has criticized some members of the council, including Lover, of being reticent to new ideas like the aquatic center.

“Hopefully he’ll have some of his own (issues) and not just react to me,” Lover said.

-- Chris Bristol