MOSES LAKE — Tom Hayes is running for Moses Lake City Council position five to bring new ideas to the group and to listen to citizens.

“I have owned several small businesses and have degrees in both business management and accounting,” he explained. “I understand budgeting and how to weigh cost versus benefit. I am a 20-year resident of Moses Lake, and it was quite a different atmosphere from what I was used to.”

He explained how Moses Lake is different from other cities.

“My hometown currently has double the population that we have, however has four times the revenues,” Hayes stated. “With their property taxes one-fifth the amount we pay, they have capitalized on being the regional shopping mecca.”

He stated his goal for the position is to work for the citizens and make the community inviting.

“To offer existing and new businesses coming to our city a hand by asking them what will bring them here rather than burdening them with infrastructure upgrades and unrealistic stipulations and construction delays,” he stated. “My goal is to regulate while still keeping all of our constitutional rights and freedoms intact.”

Hayes stated a challenge for the position is getting people to welcome more opportunities benefiting the community.

“I want the votes of those people who see Moses Lake’s huge potential and all that it is possible of offering and also those who are willing to bring possible ideas to a councilman who feels everyone should have a say in their community,” he explained. “I want the vote of those who desire prosperity, look to our future and realize that change is affected starting with self, then family, then community and beyond.”

Hayes stated signs should be placed in designated areas on city property that do not distract drivers, sight and aesthetics.

He said regulating certain dog breeds isn’t necessary.

“This affects our personal rights and has not been a humane answer to our problem,” Hayes explained. “All breeds can be found to have caused injury at one time or another and the focus should be paid to proper training requirements, accommodations and the owners intended practices with that pet.”

He calls photo enforced traffic cameras a “necessary evil.”

“They have afforded us better monitoring without the need to add more law enforcement officers,” he stated. “I feel that this gives our law enforcement a chance to be more efficient with the time they are given, assuming that these cameras are functioning and operating to reasonable set standards.”

Hayes stated code enforcement is necessary to regulate weeds, excessive vehicles and pets but should not be prompted by neighbors.

“With several code enforcement officers in the city, they should all be on the same page and enforcing the laws equally to all,” he stated.

He stated citizens should be able to report noise violations.

Hayes explained those contaminating the lake the worst, should be pay more to fund the federally mandated storm water treatment plan.

“The city should look at the contaminants found from highest to lowest in storm water contamination level,” he stated. “Those contributing the least contaminants should pay less, however even non-property owners should still have a small responsibility.”