Adams Co. primary vote finalized
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years AGO
An Othello Community Hospital EMS levy request was overwhelmingly approved by district voters during the primary election, which was certified Tuesday.
FILE PHOTO
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | August 15, 2023 5:41 PM
RITZVILLE — Council incumbents in Lind and Ritzville will face challengers in the November general election, an EMS levy was approved in Othello and maintenance and operations levies were approved for two parks and recreation districts and one cemetery district. The 2023 primary election was certified Tuesday.
The general election is Nov. 7.
Scott Yeager and Cory Bartlett will compete for the job of Ritzville mayor, the two candidates with the highest number of votes in a field of five. Incumbent Mayor Linda Kadlec did not file for reelection.
Yeager received 298 votes and Bartlett received 157 votes.
Two incumbents in the Lind Town Council survived the primary to advance to the general election, but both are trailing challengers.
Incumbent Myra J. Horton – Position 4 – received 54 votes, while challenger Jamie Schmunk got 73 votes. Horton faced four challengers for her position.
Jim Weidemann will face James N. Dworshack for Lind’s fifth council position. Tehy received 65 and 54 votes, respectively.
Incumbent Dede Boyer advanced to the general election in her race for Ritzville City Council, but ran behind challenger Jessica Quinn. Quinn received 59 votes to 21 for Boyer; the third candidate in the race, David Dahill, was eliminated.
The Ritzville council is divided into wards, with some at-large seats. Boyer represents Ward 1; only residents of the ward vote in the primary election.
Incumbent Marsha Smith also advanced to the general election, but also is trailing one of her challengers, Jen Verhey. Smith received 109 votes to 368 for Verhey. Five people had filed for the position. Smith and Verhey are competing for an at-large position, meaning candidates can live anywhere in town.
Othello Community Hospital district voters approved a six-year EMS levy with 812 yes votes to 168 no votes, 82.8% voting yes. The money, about $643,000 per year, will pay for ambulance services. Property owners will pay 40 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value.
Ritzville voters approved a one-year M&O levy submitted by the Ritzville Park and Recreation District. The money will help pay for operation of the Ritzville water park. Voters cast 532 yes votes to 241 no votes, 68.8% approval. Property owners will pay an estimated 36 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, and the levy is expected to generate about $160,000.
Lind voters approved a one-year M&O levy offered by the Lind Parks and Recreation District. The levy request received 179 yes votes to 97 no votes, 64.8% approval. The money, about $80,000 will support operation of the Lind swimming pool. Property owners will pay an estimated 20 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value.
A one-year M&O levy for the Washtucna Cemetery District passed easily, with 74 yes votes to 11 no votes. The levy will generate about $10,500 for cemetery operation. Property owners will pay about 13 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value.
ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER
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