SOAP LAKE - Wayne Hovde is running for another term as Soap Lake mayor to further his goal of creating a safe place to live with decent streets and sidewalks.

After serving several years on city council - two terms as mayor - Hovde has learned to navigate the channels and cultivate relationships at the county and state levels.

One example of this, he said, is his success in getting the state to recognize the need for and fund major street projects at Division and West Main streets.

While all small cities face challenges in maintaining their infrastructure, Hovde said he's encouraged a proactive approach to managing and improving the city's streets, water system and wastewater treatment system.

"There are many unfunded mandates put upon small cities we are forced to comply with, which strains a our resources," he said. "Soap Lake has been able to meet these demands with proper management and an excellent workforce."

Hovde equates being a mayor to running a business, and said his track record shows him capable of doing just that.

"I have experience in managing the city as mayor and 35 years of successful private business experience," he said. "I have never backed down from any difficult challenge and I will continue to stay the course."

Two of Hovde's key ongoing goals are bringing Soap Lake residents together to create a stronger sense of community and providing them with a safe environment to live and raise families.

A big part of this entails maintaining a professional, well-trained police department, an active volunteer fire department and the current medical response team through American Medical Response, he said. Tight budgets have made funding difficult, but Hovde said his experience and business management skills have assured adequate budgets are retained in the face of more crime.

"Times have changed, the economy has taken a hit, and with it comes the potential of crimes of opportunity," he said. "With the situation we're facing in local jurisdictions it is of utmost importance to keep and maintain a well-trained and dedicated police department."

Hovde pointed to the council's recent decision to have the Soap Lake Police Department join with other Grant County law enforcement agencies to create a gang task force to allow better sharing of information.

City council can work to improve the local economy and make Soap Lake a great place to live by continuing its support of local service organizations, such as the Soap Lake Chamber of Commerce, the Lions Club, Soap Lake Improvement Crew and others, Hovde said.

"I recognize that people have a vast amount of knowledge and energy and are always ready to step up and volunteer when necessary, so I feel that it's important to listen to their concerns and give them a voice," he said.

The city should also continue supporting the Lava Lamp project, which Hovde said has brought national recognition and will generate a great deal of new business and tourism interest to the city once completed.