SOAP LAKE - Soap Lake City Council incumbent Barney Berg wants to serve another term in position 1 to carry out the completion of several goals.

"It's a labor of love for the city," he said. "We, the council and mayor, set goals for city improvements. This team may see many of those goals come to completion wholly or partially."

His goals include seeing state transportation improvement board grants come through for improvements to streets and sidewalks as part of the city's downtown master plan.

If re-elected, Berg would follow through on making required improvements to the city's waste water treatment plant, which along with streets is his top priority for city infrastructure needs.

Berg wants to maintain a competent and dedicated city office and maintenance staff as well as add another full time police officer if funds become available.

His main priority for spending city money is to assure continuance of services, including adequate police enforcement personnel and improved security measures, he said.

When asked why people should vote for him, Berg pointed to his eight years of experience on the council alongside a mayor he characterized as a "team worker" who works diligently to keep the council's goals on track.

"Experience is important at this time," he said. "The people in the community who know me are aware of my dedication to Soap Lake and the countless hours I put in for volunteer services using much of my own equipment, supplies and fuel. I'm not making false claims on issues that legally can't be accomplished."

Berg said he's concerned about the challenges that could arise if new, inexperienced members are elected to city council, saying they "have no idea that funds or city income are allocated by ordinance and state law and can't be spent indiscriminately as you choose."

The city should continue its strong support of the Lava Lamp project, Berg said; but only insofar as it doesn't burden the citizens of Soap Lake through any expenditures.

The city council can help improve living conditions in Soap Lake by continuing its yard code enforcement program, keeping utility rates as low as possible and educating citizens that their basic water bill includes more than 3,700 gallons of water, Berg said.

"No need for brown lawns and starving gardens," he said.

The local economy would also be improved by making the city more attractive by cleaning vacant lots and encouraging the Soap Lake Chamber of Commerce members to cooperate with one another to promote the city, Berg said.