OTHELLO - Incumbent Tim Wilson and his challenger, Shawn Logan, faced off during a political forum in Othello.

They both praised the success of the city while recognizing challenges for the future. The two are running for Othello mayor in November's general election.

Wilson, who served 12 years on the city council prior to his four-year term as mayor, said he's been able to work well with the current council.

"We get along very well. We give here and there," he said. "You have to be able to worth with council and I've been able to do that. We don't always agree and that's OK. It's good to not always agree. It's been a really, really fun time. Over those years, I've watched Othello change and I've watched Othello grow. It's critical right now in Othello to have a leader that has experience. I have the experience. I know what to do to be successful."

Wilson said he is proud of the improvements made to Main Street during his time as mayor, adding the area is the "showpiece" of the community, and city hall, which he said will be paid for within the next three years, leaving Othello with just two outstanding loans. Paying off City Hall and other projects will free up about $450,000 from the city's budget, Wilson said.

Logan, a city councilmember 20 years ago and current president of the Othello Chamber of Commerce, said he's not focused on a new direction as mayor but believes he can do more.

"My challenger and current mayor Tim Wilson says we've done a good job, we deserve four more years," Logan said. "I say I think we can do better and I can do better. One of the challenges that we're going to have moving forward is that federal and state money is drying up. We need to take care of our own."

Much of the forum discussion was focused around providing water for residents in the future. Wilson said the city has been proactive to find a solution. The city is looking at building a new well on the east side of state Route 17 with funds already set aside for the $1.5 million project. The city has also received a $250,000 grant to look at how to recharge the current wells in the city, a study that is scheduled to begin next year.

Logan, born and raised in Othello, focused on another side of the issue.

"We live in a desert and we are continuing to pour drinking water on our lawns in this community," he said. A solution to the water shortage could be to change to irrigation water, he added.

Logan said the city already uses irrigation water in its city parks.

"Maybe that would be our answer instead of building more wells and recharging the aquifers," he said.

Although Logan said it would be an enormous public works project, he believes the city could figure out a way to get it done.

Ballots were mailed out last week for the Nov. 5 election.