OTHELLO — Chris Dorow has been appointed to a vacant position on the Othello City Council. Dorow was appointed by unanimous vote after candidates for the seat were interviewed at the Dec. 8 council meeting. There was no discussion. Dorow replaces Denae Valdez, who resigned from the council in November.  

“We had seven members of the public apply for this position,” said Othello Mayor Shawn Logan. 

Council member Genna Dorow, Dorow’s wife, recused herself from the interviews and the vote and left the council table. Legally, she could vote, she said, but wanted to avoid the appearance of impropriety. 

Donald Burks, David Miller, Oscar Lopez, Dale Wyman, Jerry Garcia and Martin Crowley also applied for the position. The candidates were interviewed during the meeting, and each was given time to talk about why they applied for the seat and what they would contribute to the council. 

Crowley withdrew, saying he had applied to ensure there was more than one candidate. He said he thought the council should defer the decision until new Mayor Ken Johnson and three new council members take their jobs in January.  

Miller said he thought his experience in the hospitality business would be an asset; he was active with Chambers of Commerce in the cities where he lived.  

“I feel like I would be a dedicated servant to the citizens of Othello and respectful and conscientious in my service,” Miller said. 

Wyman said he decided to apply for the council due to upcoming infrastructure projects under discussion or already planned by the city. He’s a former city council member, he said, and was on the council during the time the existing city hall and Othello Community Pool were built. There were some mistakes in some of those projects, he said, and his experience would help keep similar mistakes from being made in the future.  

Othello can’t pay for all the things it needs with its own money, Wyman said, and figuring out how to get everything done is, in his opinion, one of the council’s biggest challenges. The council has to be willing to work with each other to be effective, he said. 

“I need to be a person who can (participate in), and contribute to (a discussion), rather than tell people, ‘This is the way it’s going to be and I won’t defer from that decision,’” he said. 

Dorow said he’s committed to working to improve Othello, and that his 10 years on the Othello Planning Commission will be of value when it comes to decisions facing the city. He's been involved in a number of organizations, both in Othello, in his profession and in other areas of interest.  

“These are the types of relationships I would like to bring to the city,” he said. “We are at a crossroads of great opportunity, if we are willing to take it.”  

Burks said he’s lived in Othello for about 10 years; he’s grateful to the community and wants to be of service.  

“I bring a different type of service and a different type of background,” he said.  

Garcia said he too wants to serve the community, and wants to learn more about how the city works.  

“I am somebody who brings to the table humbleness,” he said. “If I need help, I will ask for it. I do not allow myself to bear too much more than I can take. I also like to work with other people and be communicative.” 

Lopez said he thought his experience in management would be of value to the council and the city.  

“I am applying for this council position because I care deeply about the city where I live and raise my three children,” he said. “I want to be part of the decision-making that shapes Othello’s future and to bring a calm, thoughtful and service-oriented perspective to the council’s work.” 

Logan expressed thanks to the people who applied for the seat.  

“They are leaders, everyone,” Logan said. “There are past leaders, there are present leaders, there are future leaders in this group.” 

He urged the people who weren’t appointed to apply for other positions, both in the city and in Adams County.  

“If you have an interest and still want to serve, would you please contact Mayor-elect Ken Johnson and talk to him about the vacancies that are available?” Logan said.