Incumbent Tawni Andrews is facing political newcomer Dick Murchy in the Aberdeen City Council Ward 1 Position 2 race in November. As part of a series featuring local general election races, The Daily World spoke with both candidates about the issues facing the city and possible solutions.
Does Aberdeen need a city administrator?
Andrews: I believe the city administrator would be a viable resource for the employees of the city as well as the city’s residents. In our form of government – Mayor and City Council – the mayor oversees the administrative authority for the entire city. We have a part time mayor so we need that city administrator to help assist the mayor in executing those administrative duties. We could be so much more efficient to bring all of that together, along with our strong department heads we already have in place.
Murchy: In our area I do not believe a city administrator is necessary. While I understand the reasoning, the cost concerns me and I truly believe Mayor (Erik) Larson should handle these affairs for the time being. Delegation could be a key factor here. This is not Seattle. Those in office already should be able to handle those duties at this time. Should Aberdeen actually start to show some meaningful progress, then an administrator could be considered.
What is the most pressing issue facing Aberdeen and what can be done about it?
Andrews: Aberdeen is moving forward at a slow rate, but we are moving forward. In the county, we need more family-wage jobs, and we can’t solve that on our own. But in making the changes that we have been and moving in a more positive direction we are making ourselves more attractive. Not only to our own residents, but visitors, alike. We need the visitors, if we can develop a niche to bring people here it will help quite a bit. Just think if Joe Tourist visits or drives through he may work for or own a company that might see us as a progressive place for their next location or new business.
Murchy: As I witness how this area is being handled by our elected officials, I’m close to believing we need more qualified people who truly understand fiscal common sense on our council. That said, the most obvious issue to me concerns empty buildings and infrastructure. We need to launch a full court press upon owners of property that sits and creates eye sores. These eye sores do not help to invite new business in our area. All of this ties in with the homeless situation. The homeless, druggies, and vagrants always migrate to downtrodden areas. Not only that, but as the situation boils, the less fortunate become more prolific within main street business areas. We’ll have to continually press the county if not the state to find solutions. Many locals simply will not shop here anymore because they do not feel safe.
Andrews: We are still waiting for the survey to see if that pencils out. Without that information, I can’t give an informed opinion. I can tell you that the police station is not good, and we need to come up with a solution to that building. If we were to move the city offices there, we could move the police into our current building and then hopefully explore building a new jail. I have toured that whole police facility and it all needs a major overhaul or a new facility.
Murchy: Yes, I think this will be a good move if realized. It will cost but it is a smart move if done properly. It makes perfect sense.
Solutions to the city’s homeless problem?
Andrews: Housing. We need more housing for them. It’s a nationwide epidemic right now. I understand the residents are frustrated with what is happening right now in our own backyard because it’s what is in our faces. But if you visit other cities they are dealing with the exact same drug and homelessness issues. I am just as frustrated as a lot of our citizens.
Murchy: It’s called tough love. We all want to help but in many cases, these folks have chosen their path. I know because I rehabilitated a young man myself. I had him off his medication, eating organic food, and outside in a country setting. But this young man decided he wanted to start taking his medicine again and when I asked him why, his response was that he had to take his medication or he would not get his disability check. This young man was perfectly capable of contributing to society. This example is in part a huge problem. While there are some homeless not by choice, we continue to enable this kind of behavior via the welfare state mindset. I’m not sure what any council member can do to solve this kind of thing but we must stop enabling with stricter regulations. Many of the homeless receive welfare and food stamps while being perfectly capable of working. They don’t want to work. They are used to the street life and a monthly check. For the homeless that do not want the street life, there are properties that might help if administrated properly. But it will cost and we must monitor efficiently.
Meet the candidates.
Andrews: I moved to Aberdeen in 1990, I have lived in South Aberdeen the entire time. I moved into my current house back in 1993. I work at Columbia Electric Supply on Market Street in Aberdeen (across from Qmart) in sales and accounting. I graduated from Sequim High School, was born in Oklahoma, my dad was career Army so I like to say I grew up all over the world. I am married and we have a total of five kids between us. This is the end of my first term on the City Council and I am currently serving as Council President. I am a member of Grays Harbor Volunteer Search and Rescue, am a Board Member for Grays Harbor Historical Seaport and have co-chaired the Aberdeen Art Walk for the past three years.
Murchy: I’ve lived here for the most part of 65 years and am retired. My family owned Saginaw Shingle Company back in the day. When the business went down, I taught piano, fixed computers and briefly worked some other jobs both out of and within this area. In 2001 I went back to school for 10 years and received three masters degrees in information technology and computer science, adult education and training, and business administration and leadership. At present, I do volunteer at the Christian Adventist School Facility.
What sets you apart from your opponent?
Andrews: I do not know my opponent well, just through social media. So not knowing him personally I can’t say what sets me apart. I can tell you that I’m not done serving our citizens yet, I have more to give to our city. I am an upbeat positive person, but I do not have rose colored glasses. I know the realities that our community faces, but we can’t dwell on the negativity of that constantly; we must be able to look at what we are (which is pretty awesome) and what we can be (even awesomer).
Murchy: I do not know her other than a few social media conversations. Thus, I have no more to say about her and what sets us apart from each other is only our unique selves as human beings on this planet. We all have something to offer and we all need to come together in order to realize the possibilities and the future.
