Soap Lake appoints mayor pro tem, council member steps down
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 5 months AGO
Soap Lake Mayor Peter Sharp administers the Oath of Office to the two newly appointed Soap Lake City Council members, Eli Olson and JoAnn Rushton at the Oct. 16 Soap Lake City Council meeting. Rushton stepped down from city council during the Feb. 5 meeting, leaving an open city council spot.
FILE PHOTO
SOAP LAKE — Karen Woodhouse was named mayor pro tem at the Feb. 5 Soap Lake City Council meeting. The council passed Woodhouse’s appointment unanimously. Council Member JoAnne Rushton also gave the council a letter prior to the meeting stepping down from her role on the council, opening a city council spot, according to Mayor Peter Sharp.
On Aug. 7 former Soap Lake Allen DuPay stepped down. Then-former Mayor Pro Tem Leslie Taylor stepped down during the Aug. 20 meeting and Sharp, formerly a council member, was appointed to mayor pro tem during the same meeting. Taylor later stepped down from the council altogether leaving one open position on the council. Sharp was appointed mayor during the Sept. 8 meeting. This then left two open positions on the city council. During the Oct. 16 meeting, the council appointed both JoAnne Rushton and Eli Olson, filling both open spots.
“(Rushton) just said she has other things in her life right now that are more important right now,” Sharp said.
Sharp said the city will open an application for a new city council member next week, stating the city has 14 days to notify and open the application. Then, Soap Lake has 90 days to fill the position.
ARTICLES BY NANCE BESTON
Grant County Sheriff candidates discuss transparency, trust
EPHRATA — As Grant County voters prepare to submit their primary ballots, three candidates are vying for the position as Grant County Sheriff including incumbent Joey Kriete and challengers Josh Sainsbury and Darrick Gregg are competing in the upcoming primary election. To help readers compare the candidates' priorities, qualifications and plans for the office, each was asked the same question and given an equal opportunity to respond.
Grant County Commissioner candidates deliberate fiscal responsibility, budgeting
EPHRATA — Four Republicans are seeking election to Grant County Commissioner Position 3 in the upcoming primary: Shannon Durfee, Kelly Raap, Seth Weeks and Janice Flynn. To give voters a clear comparison of the candidates' positions and priorities, each was asked the same set of questions and provided the same deadline to respond. Durfee, Raap and Flynn submitted responses by the deadline; Weeks did not respond.
Sheriff candidates discuss staffing, retention
EPHRATA — As Grant County voters prepare to select their next sheriff, incumbent Joey Kriete and challengers Josh Sainsbury and Darrick Gregg are competing in the upcoming primary election. To help readers compare the candidates' priorities, qualifications and plans for the office, each was asked the same question and given an equal opportunity to respond. This installment focuses on one of the most pressing challenges facing law enforcement agencies: recruiting, retaining and supporting qualified staff within the Grant County Sheriff's Office.