Tuesday, March 18, 2025
34.0°F

Moses Lake council, Fuhr express gratitude at his final meeting

CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 months, 3 weeks AGO
by CHERYL SCHWEIZER
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. | June 27, 2024 1:20 AM

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake City Council members, city staff and spectators gave City Manager Kevin Fuhr a standing ovation after accepting his retirement request during the regular council meeting Tuesday.

Fuhr announced Monday that he was retiring after about a year on the job, citing his battle with cancer. 

Mayor Dustin Swartz said Fuhr made a big impact as city manager.

“I don’t think a lot of people quite understand the situation we were in when you decided to step up and fill the role. It was quite a challenge to find somebody that could come to Moses Lake in light of some of the challenges we were facing,” Swartz said.

“In the very short period of time that he’s acted as our city manager, he’s been able to accomplish a lot of the things that I think a lot of us (on the council) wanted accomplished for a long time before he was in that position,” Swartz said.

Council member David Skaug agreed with Swartz on Fuhr’s effectiveness.

“I remember you saying that one of the things you liked to do is to get stuff done. And you certainly have,” Skaug said. “It was always a prompt response. It was always, ‘Talk to Kevin — he’ll get right back to you.’ I talked to Kevin about it, (and) something happened. It was appreciated much more than you know.”

Fuhr took over as city manager after serving twice as interim manager while simultaneously working as Moses Lake Police Chief, a job he held for seven years. Council member Mark Fancher said he first met Fuhr when the new chief contacted him for a meeting. 

“I said, ‘So what’s up? What did I do wrong? And he said ‘No, I just want to get to know the people in the community.’ I know you made that effort with lots of people that I know and it definitely made a difference,” Fancher said.

Council member Deanna Martinez said her discussions with other city officials around the state gave her a deeper appreciation for Fuhr’s effectiveness.

“It was quite often that I would say, ‘Everybody needs a Fuhr in their city.’ I greatly appreciate what you’ve done,” she said. 

Martinez and council member Judy Madewell both got a little choked up as they spoke. Madwell said Fuhr was always willing to talk to her, both when he was MLPD chief and later as city manager.

“I wanted to say from the bottom of my heart, thank you very much,” Madewell said.

Former assistant city manager Rich Huebner, now Selah city administrator, said he first got to know Fuhr at the Ag Appreciation Parade when Fuhr gave him a ride on a very cold night.

“I know you don’t like recognition like this, but you deserve it,” Huebner said. 

Fuhr said he was grateful to the city and to its residents.

“This city, when I came here eight years ago, I did not realize the impact it would have on my life,” he said. “I’ve been more blessed with the community, with the staff that I’ve had the honor of working with — it’s just been an amazing ride. I have created friendships here that will last a lifetime,” Fuhr said.

He worked for four different organizations, led three of them, he said, and Moses Lake was the best of them. His position as MLPD chief was the best job he ever had, he said. 

“I just can’t thank this council and previous councils enough for all the opportunities that I’ve been given in this community,” Fuhr said. ”I just can’t thank everybody enough.”

Swartz said city officials regretted Fuhr’s resignation, although they understand the circumstances. 

“Your impact here is not small and your absence will be felt quite a bit from us,” Swartz said. 

Cheryl Schweizer may be reached via email at cschweizer@columbiabasinherald.com.

    Now-retired Moses Lake City Manager Kevin Fuhr serves as grand marshal in the Moses Lake Spring Festival parade in May. Fuhr has retired to take care of his health as he continues to fight cancer.
 
 


MORE STORIES

Fuhr named Person of the Year, council approves increased sales tax
Columbia Basin Herald | Updated 1 year, 3 months ago
Fuhr retires as city manager after resigning from MLSD Board
Columbia Basin Herald | Updated 8 months, 3 weeks ago
Fuhr, Sands sworn in at Moses Lake council meeting
Columbia Basin Herald | Updated 1 year, 4 months ago

ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER

Moses Lake water fines delayed
March 18, 2025 3:30 a.m.

Moses Lake water fines delayed

MOSES LAKE — Encouraging water conservation – and how to enforce city water use ordinances – turned into a wide-ranging conversation about not only water but code enforcement, education and control at the Moses Lake City Council meeting.

Grant PUD financials solid with above-projected revenues
March 17, 2025 3 a.m.

Grant PUD financials solid with above-projected revenues

EPHRATA — Higher-than-anticipated revenue is projected to make 2024 a good year for the Grant County Public Utility District. Wholesale and contracted power sales are projected to end 2024 at $286.5 million, once the books are fully balanced. That's $196.3 million over the initial budget projection. Angelina Johnson, PUD deputy treasurer, said that may be a short-term advantage though.

Moses Lake man arrested in connection with March 8 shooting
March 17, 2025 2:25 a.m.

Moses Lake man arrested in connection with March 8 shooting

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was arrested Friday in connection with a March 8 shooting on Stratford Road in Moses Lake. Luis Medina, 27, was arrested in Moses Lake and booked into the Grant County Jail on suspicion of first-degree assault and drive-by shooting, said Moses Lake Police Department Captain Jeff Sursely in a press release.