by Mark Neuman

Seven candidates for the Des Moines City Council, including incumbents and newcomers, met last night (Tues. Oct 13) at a public event sponsored by the North Hill Community Club.

Event organizers set the ground rules at the outset, asking the approximately 70 attendees to refrain from debating with the candidates during the forum.

“This is a ‘get aquatinted’ event,” said host Don Riecks. “If anyone has a wish to speak up about a candidate, you’re welcome to take it outside.”

It was cold and rainy Tuesday night, and from this reporter’s perspective everyone appeared to stay indoors.

The North Hill Community Club is located in a residential area just east of 1st Avenue South in north Des Moines.

Incumbent Carmen Scott, running for re-election to Position 3, took a portion of her allotted ten minutes to praise fellow council member David Kaplan, who is running for Position 7 against another current council member, Susan White. This prompted host Riecks to interject a request for all candidates to refrain from endorsing any other candidate during the forum.

Scott, a longtime Des Moines resident, is completing her second term on the council. She emphasized her years of life and business experience.

“Being experienced and mature has value,” Scott said. “I miss the downtown we used to have. We need to remove the hurdles that get in the way of business.”

Melissa Ponder, challenging Scott for Position 3, emphasized her 18 years of residence in the Zenith area of Des Moines. Ponder and her husband have four children.

“We need to demystify the process of government. We need to increase our human services budget,” Ponder said. “The council as it stands now is not unified on the future of Des Moines. We need to be thinking 20 to 25 years into the future.

“I’m new to politics, but I am a quick learner,” Ponder said. “I bring with me no allegiance to any special interests.”

Matt Pina and Anne Farmer are running against each other for Position 1. Neither are incumbents. Both spoke of their respective business experience and understanding of complex budgetary issues.

Farmer has worked for several years as director of business development for a pharmaceutical company.

“I know what it takes to manage a budget,” Farmer said. “I have to account for every penny. I have to report to the Food and Drug Administration.

“I will not cut the police budget,” Farmer said.  “I want to see a more aggressive approach to dealing with crime. We need to consider bringing in red light (traffic) cameras. Those cameras can be donated for free. They can generate revenue overnight.

“I’d like to see some height restrictions near the marina taken away,” she said.

Pina is a longtime employee of Alaska Airlines in the Information Technology area.

“We need to make the marina pedestrian friendly,” Pina said. “Also, Pacific Ridge takes an inordinate amount of our police resources. We need to re-develop Pacific Ridge,” he said, referring to the eastern portion of Des Moines through which runs Pacific Highway South.

“Maybe a Costco or a Home Depot should be brought in to the potential business park area near 216th,” he said. “I have a passion for Des Moines.”

David Kaplan and Susan White are each running for a third term on the council. One will win. One will lose.

White spoke of her lobbying in the nation’s capital to bring back to Des Moines over $200,000 for Beach Park projects.

“We need change on the Des Moines city council,” White said toward the end of her ten minutes. “Give new candidates an opportunity.”

Kaplan said “This election is about leadership. We need to remove the burden of taxes from property owners. We have never taken a root look at our budget. We need to change the way we budget.

“We need to tie the marina to downtown,” Kaplan said. “The marina feels walled off.”

Melissa Musser, who is running unopposed for Position 5, also spoke, joking good-naturedly about being given only one minute to speak.

On a more serious note Musser told attendees “North Hill residents will be represented (by me), not overlooked.”

The General Election is Tuesday, November 3.

Highline Community College’s student government will be hosting the next Des Moines City Council Candidates Forum on Monday, Oct. 19th from 2:30pm to 3:30pm in Building 7 on their main campus.

As election day (Tues., Nov. 3rd) draws nearer, things are heating up in the Waterland City, so this should be a lively forum.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Des Moines City Council Candidates Forum

WHEN: Monday, October 19th, from 2:30pm – 3:30pm

WHERE: Highline Community College’s main campus, Building 7. The campus is located midway between Seattle and Tacoma at South 240th Street and Pacific Highway South (Highway 99); address: 2400 S. 240th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198.

COST: FREE and open to the public

INFO: The forum will be a moderated question and answer session to introduce the Des Moines City Council candidates and their platforms followed by a town-hall style question and answer session with the audience.

SPONSORED BY: Associated Students of Highline Community College

The next Candidates Forum for Des Moines City Council will be Tuesday night, Oct. 13th at 7pm at the North Hill Community Club, located at 20827 3rd Ave South.

This will be the next opportunity to ask questions of each candidate, and all residents are invited.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Des Moines City Council Candidates Forum

WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 13th at 7pm

WHERE: North Hill Community Club, located at 20827 3rd Ave South in Des Moines.

INFO: According to NHCC Board of Trustees member Amy Bergstrom:

“This coming Tuesday, (10/13) at 7pm, we will be hosting a political night.

We’ve invited the members of the Des Moines City council and those running for seats on the council to a debate and question and answer from the public.”

A forum for Des Moines City Council candidates is coming Wednesday, Oct. 7th at Noon at the Des Moines Activity Center, which is located at 2045 South 216th Street.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Forum for Des Moines City Council candidates

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 7th at Noon

WHERE: Des Moines Activity Center, located at 2045 South 216th St., just east of the Post Office

INFO: Hosted by Des Moines Senior Services Advisory Committee 10th Annual Bayside Brunch

Candidates for the Des Moines City Council will face off in a “Candidates’ Night” on Wed., July 22nd starting at 7pm at the Huntington Park Clubhouse, which is located at 1000 South 248th Street.

Huntington Park residents are extending an invitation to all interested City of Des Moines voters to attend.

Candidates will have equal time to speak and answer questions from the audience. Huntington Park resident Florence McMullen has organized this event and will be chairing the meeting. Following the forum there will be coffee and cake in the dining room where attendees and candidates can converse.

Candidates scheduled to attend include:

• Position #1 Matt Pina and John Burdine (at post time there was no response from Anne Farmer)
• Position #3 Incumbent Carmen Scott and Melissa Ponder
• Position #5 Melissa Musser
• Position #7 Incumbent Susan White, Incumbent Dave Kaplan and Chris Alexander

For more information contact Florence McMullin at (206) 878-9111.