The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

Aaron Derr’s statement:

My name is Aaron Derr and I am running for Electric City Council Position 1.

I feel the greatest challenges for this position will be to provide a consistent and transparent governance for Electric City, and to work with the other three municipalities in similar fashion for the common good of the greater Grand Coulee Dam area.

I feel this will be best achieved by being attentive to the common core concerns we all have when dealing with others. We all want to feel appreciated, to have our beliefs acknowledged, to be treated as equals, and to have the roles we fill be respected. To conduct myself in a way to honor these desires in others is the greatest service I can provide to the council, the mayor, and the people of Electric City.

I have held leadership positions within the Public School Employees Union, I helped start and have led the local PTA, and I have been an active parent participant in the local soccer league, T-ball, and Scouts. I have three boys in the Grand Coulee Dam School district and, if for no other reason than their future, I have a vested interest in the long term growth and management of our area.

Birdie Hensley’s statement:

The top challenges that I will be facing as City Council member is to keep a balance between keeping Electric City a rural city without it becoming a ghost town. The city must keep moving forward and maintain the utilities and roads, but must respect the wants of the citizens. Each year the city budget grows and the council must work to keep within the budget yet to encourage businesses and people to be part of this community. I believe the city needs to work to promote the citizens and businesses to have more input in the decisions of the city. The city must create the opportunity and the citizens must be willing to volunteer their time to help.  

I believe that being a Jack of most trades and master of none makes me a good candidate for city council. I am very involved with several organizations in the Grand Coulee Dam Area, including Trustee Grand Coulee Dam Area Seniors, GCD Lions, Spring Canyon Cemetery, Coulee Pioneer Museum, Grand Coulee Dam Chamber. Working with these community establishments, I listen to the concerns from the limited income seniors to the small businesses wanting to stay in this area; working with the chamber that doing Economic Development, and promote businesses in the area; Coulee Pioneer Museum and Spring Canyon Cemetery to preserve the history and heritage of the Grand Coulee Dam area; Coulee Corridor to promote the National Scenic Byway and the Ice Age Floods. I have a business in Electric City and had a business in Grand Coulee, retired from the Bureau so understand some of the workings with the government. I held a class 2 wastewater and distribution license so understand the sewer and water system regulations and concerns.

My past experience with several organization within the community and running a wastewater and water plants, working with contracts with the government and being involved in the community as a business person and as a volunteer I believe helps me to fulfill my duties at city council.