In a city looking at industrial and commercial growth out to Interstate 5, two challengers are seeking a spot on the Winlock City Council against incumbents seeking another term.
Don Bradshaw, a former Winlock mayor who lost a bid for the council two years ago, is challenging Councilman Ron Heikkila, who is seeking his second term in his position one seat.
Councilwoman Ann Rubert, who was appointed earlier this year, is running for her first full term on the council in position four. Shell face her neighbor, Scott Sykes, a Boeing engineer in Kent in his first run for elected office.
Don Bradshaw, 66, a retired Army command sergeant, said hes running because he thinks the city can use help, and he feels his experience as mayor and councilman is an asset. He said he has no problem with either Heikkila or Mayor Cy Meyers, and he entered the race to give voters a choice.
I dont think theres a citizen in Winlock thats worked harder or wanted more success in Winlock than I do, Bradshaw said.
The biggest issues in Winlock, Bradshaw said, are jobs and attracting business to the area. City and area officials took our eye off the ball when Seattle-based Benaroya announced it was pulling out of a proposed industrial in the citys urban growth area earlier this year, but Bradshaw said he supports continued efforts to increase the number of jobs in the Winlock area.
To do so, he said, the city must mend fences with the Mickelsen family, whose former dairy farm land was the central piece of the proposed industrial park, and work with the Lewis County Economic Development Council to attract another big-name developer, Bradshaw said.
He added that he is not actively campaigning for the position, but he would accept it if voters choose him.
If I get the job, I will do the job, Bradshaw said.
A lifelong Winlock resident, Ron Heikkila said he remembers the days 50 years ago when Winlock was more of a boom town, with an active downtown and thriving businesses. Its different now, and Heikkila said hed like to return to those days.
Now its just a bedroom town. People cant afford to stay in business, said Heikkila, who owns his own tax and business service in Winlock.
Heikkila, 63, was elected to the council four years ago and has served one term. He said hes pleased with the work the city has done in recent years to repair sidewalks downtown, and hed like to stay on the council to see further sidewalk repairs on First Street.
Additionally, Heikkila said he wants to see through the completion of the citys water-sewer treatment plant, the widening of the entrance to state Route 505 and fixing of downtown streets.
Id like to see us finish up things that weve started over the last four years, he said.
Ann Rubert, 37, a dental associate who works in Castle Rock, said she applied for the vacant council seat in April as a way of getting more involved in the Winlock community.
In her time on the council, Rubert said shes seen growth emerge as Winlocks biggest issue. While shed like to see industrial growth toward I-5, Rubert said shed also like more business come to the downtown area.
The city also needs to achieve a balance, Rubert said, by maintaining its zoning laws and not allowing too many huge developers come to town too quickly.
At 37, Rubert is the youngest member of the council, and she said she thinks that gives her a different perspective on the issues that affect younger Winlock citizens.
Im learning a lot, and Im going to do my best if Im re-elected, Rupert said.
Scott Sykes, 55, commutes daily to work in Kent at Boeing for work as a manufacturing engineer, though hes usually home by 5 p.m. and said he will be able to attend all council meetings.
He said he wants to have a part in the citys decisions as far as growth, and he supports bringing more jobs into the area. With those jobs, he said the city needs to make sure adequate housing is included.
Sykes said Boeing encourages its employees to keep a presence in their communities, and hes kept involved with his church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in cleanups of local towns.
He said he thinks he can bring a set of basic values, leadership and respect for diversity to the council.
Im a no-nonsense kind of guy, a straight shooter, Sykes said.
