Email to the Editor: Elfers is the Better Choice in City Council Race

, candidate for Enumclaw city council, has run political ads in the Enumclaw Courier-Herald in recent weeks.  Several aspects and assertions found within those ads concern me and should concern all voters who must choose between him and incumbent . 

Most troubling to me is Mr. Dickson's repeated assertion that Mr. Elfers supported raising sewer rates. Of course, no politician or candidate desires to raise utility rates, let alone by a large percentage.  However, Washington State law appropriately requires that municipal utilities be self-supporting enterprise operations which may not be subsidized by taxes. Mr. Elfers is just now completing his first, four-year term on the city council and was not in office when the then council and mayor approved the city's sewage treatment plant project and then failed to keep costs within budget. Because of major cost overruns on this project, the current city council had no choice, under State law, but to raise rates. Indeed, had Mr. Dickson been on the council during the current term, he too would have faced this 'choice' regarding sewage rates, and it would be equally inappropriate to pin the rate hikes on him.

With all Mr. Dickson's advertising statements regarding his deep knowledge and commitment to the Enumclaw community, I was surprised and disappointed at his apparent lack of understanding regarding municipal utility operations and state regulations which govern them. So I decided to attend last month's candidates' forum hosted by the Enumclaw Courier-Herald, with the hope this topic would surface. Indeed, Mr. Dickson used this forum to once again blame the utility rate hikes on Mr. Elfers. In doing so, he only succeeded in demonstrating his continued lack of understanding and preparation. 

As in his advertisements, Mr. Dickson routinely stated that Mr. Elfers has no business or financial experience. In response, I say that Mr. Dickson has neither government experience nor understanding of government basics, which he has amply and repeatedly demonstrated. As the incumbent, Mr. Elfers does have government experience. While Mr. Dickson seeks a government office, Mr. Elfers does not seek a business role. 

I appreciated Mr. Elfers' balanced and long-term view responses which were in stark contrast to Mr. Dickson's answers. While I have no doubt both men are deeply committed to the Enumclaw community, I also have no doubt that Mr. Elfers is the better choice, demonstrated by his quality leadership on the council during these difficult times. 

John S. Mayers