MOSES LAKE - Not every local election can be billed as historic, but Jason Avila's successful bid for Moses Lake Council position 3 is just that.

When he takes over for councilman Richard Pearce in January Avila will be the first Hispanic council member in the city's incorporated history.

"I know there have been some who have run in the past but haven't been elected, so I think it's great we're over that wall now," Avila said. "It opens doors and presents more opportunities for other people to come out and want to do this."

Avila was born and raised in Moses Lake along with two sisters and a brother, who have also chosen to settle down in their hometown. His parents moved here in the early 1960s, where his father worked for Eka Chemicals and was a part time instructor at Big Bend Community College and his mother has been at JR Simplot for more than 40 years.

About six years ago Avila, who owns his own auto detailing business, vowed to become more involved in the community. This past June he decided it was finally time to follow through and, with the help of his family and friends Melissa Avila and Kevin Donovan, jumped into the race for council position 3.

At 31 years old, Avila will also be among the youngest council members in the city's history, according to City Manager Joe Gavinski, who has been a Moses Lake city employee since 1979.

Gavinski named Dave Chandler, Grant Nichols and Eric Skaug as council members who may have been younger than Avila at the outset of their terms. He couldn't say for certain because state election rules don't require candidates to reveal their age.

Avila believes his youth will help him bridge the gap between the council and younger generations with new ideas to share, but before doing so he admits he has a lot to learn from the current council members.

"I'm still new to this, but I'm definitely ready to get in there and get to work and see what we can accomplish as a city council," he said. "How we can go forward and make Moses Lake a better town."

Moses Lake's Hispanic population is large and growing, according to U.S. Census numbers. More than 30 percent of the city's 20,366 residents are Hispanic, a demographic that expanded from 3,800 in 2000 to 6,123 in 2010.

When asked in what ways the council might reach out to local Hispanic residents, Avila said he doesn't feel qualified to give a definitive answer.

"I know that the Hispanic population here is big and I know they have a voice, but I'm working for everybody, not just one color," he said.

Avila rejects the idea that many Hispanic people don't get involved with their local governments because of the language barrier.

"I don't think that's necessarily the case," he said. "I think they're becoming more aware now. A lot more Hispanics got involved since I was running, asking, 'What can we do to help?'"

While his cultural and ethnic heritage is part of who he is, Avila said it doesn't define him as a man and will never dictate his actions as a councilman.

"When I was running I heard rumors flying that Jason's going to have a Mexican agenda, but no, that's not the case at all," he said. "I got elected by the community and that's how I want to give back - to my community. Being the first Hispanic and one of the youngest on council? - those are just pluses."