Tieton City Council Q&A

EDITOR'S NOTE: In some local races, the Yakima Herald-Republic posed questions to candidates about their positions on key issues in their communities. The following is a Q&A with Tieton City Council candidates Sharon Sedgwick and Tina Wisnowski.

Sharon Sedgwick

Age: 64

Occupation: Retired registered nurse

Previously held elected office: Tieton City Council, 2007-present.

Education: Associate degree in nursing from Southwestern Oregon Community College, Coos Bay, Ore.

Q. What needs to be done to resolve differences over the smooth operation of the Cowiche Sewer District?

A. As a Tieton City Council member, I can attempt to keep the lines of communication open. I will continue to attend CSD meetings and Tieton council meetings, relaying factual information and decreasing rumors. The ball is in the hands of the commissioners to make CSD function as a business.

Q. What can the council do to continue economic development in Tieton?

A. The City Council, mayor, Mighty Tieton and others have developed an Economic Development Committee. The work is planning for the future; applying for grants to improve the city when the economy turns around. On Oct. 21, we are having a Town Hall meeting, and asking all residents to attend.

Q. How should the city address budget concerns?

A. As we prepare the 2010 budget, we need to continue "little or no spending." It is important to keep all of our city employees and make sure each department has enough budgeted to maintain their departments.

Q. What skills or experience would you bring to the job of council member?

A. My best skills are probably common sense, the ability to listen to both sides and make my own decisions. I learned a long time ago that you can have all the intelligence in the world, but if you don't have common sense and respect for others, you won't get far.

Tina Wisnowski

Age: 39

Occupation: Accountant

Previously held elected office: None.

Education: Bachelor of science, Bentley University (formerly Bentley College), Waltham, Mass.

Q. What needs to be done to resolve differences over the smooth operation of the Cowiche Sewer District?

A. Since mediation and an interlocal agreement haven't worked, perhaps the Department of Ecology should intervene. Both sides have incurred considerable legal fees.

Q. What can the council do to continue economic development in Tieton?

A. Economic development in Tieton has been lackluster for years. Empty storefronts with a fresh coat of paint do not generate business and sales taxes. We should offer incentives to businesses to relocate. Also, a "buy local" campaign might get residents to rethink going to Yakima to eat out or shop.

Q. How should the city address budget concerns?

A. The council needs to go line item by line item on both revenue and expenditures and ask questions, not just look at summary reports. How do actual revenues and expenditures compare to estimates? We rely too much on federal, state and county funding to jeopardize losing any.

Q. What skills or experience would you bring to the job of council member?

A. I would bring accountability, common sense, fairness and a genuine concern for the well being of our community.