SOAP LAKE - Raymond Gravelle is seeking Soap Lake's mayor seat because he believes he can create a community with more economic opportunities and improved infrastructure.

Gravelle is currently vice president of the Board of Grant County Hospital District 4 commissioners and has volunteered as a member of the Soap Lake Garden Club, Soap Lake Businessman's Club, the National Association of Realtors and numerous other organizations.

He organized the group "Five For The Future" as a coalition of Soap Lake candidates who plan to work together in bringing positive changes to the city.

"Having a group of candidates all running on the same basic agenda is a first in the history of Soap Lake," Gravelle said. "Organizing this group of five is an example of my ability to build consensus and get people to agree on moving in a certain direction to accomplish the task at hand."

If elected, Gravelle said his primary goal would be to reverse Soap Lake's economic and population decline by focusing city resources on increasing revenue.

He would do this by increasing the number of city-sponsored events, creating a more business friendly environment and promoting tourism with an emphasis on the lake's unique attributes.

Gravelle plans to implement the Downtown Redevelopment Plan, improve Soap Lake's non-potable water system, allocate more resources towards the police department and encourage greater citizen involvement in city decisions through a newsletter and online media.

The greatest challenge for next year's city council will be helping people set aside their differences, look to the greater good and take time to plan what they want Soap Lake's future to look like, Gravelle said; adding he can help facilitate this process.

"I'm a good listener, organizer and I get things done," he said. "Listening is vital to be a good leader, that's why Five For The Future held two town hall meetings to hear from the community their ideas and concerns. The input from those meetings has directly shaped our campaign initiatives."

The number one concern Gravelle has heard about from the community is reducing crime, he said, followed by improving roads and fulfilling the Downtown Redevelopment Plan.

The city needs to be aggressive in bringing its roads up to acceptable standards. It must also do a better job of attracting businesses to town so people can shop locally, a goal Gravelle believes begins with promotion and tourism.

"The city of Soap Lake's most notable assets are the lake itself, the beauty surrounding it and its history,"

he said. "Tourism is the key to improving Soap Lake's economic outlook and the Lava Lamp is currently the furthest developed tourism project. I'm open to any other projects that have the potential to attract more tourists."