Click here to read the candidates’ answers to the previous forum question…
Ferndale mayoral and city council candidates, including those running unopposed, answered questions posed during a public forum Tuesday, October 13th, at the Pioneer Pavilion Community Center hosted by the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce.
Each candidate was offered 2 minutes to respond to questions asked. Ferndale High School social studies teachers, Scott Browne and Jennifer Kubic, served as moderators. Many students could be seen in the crowd of nearly 70 attendees.
The following is a depiction of the questions and answers but in some cases responses have been paraphrased. This is not to alter the intended meaning or emphasis but due to limitations in hearing and recording verbatim.
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Click for more informationQuestion: What can you do to make ferndale a better place to live?
Glenn Stewart – Council powers are limited but I would support a council that understands that 1/3 of the population is under the age of 18 and many are living at or below the poverty level.
Teresa Taylor – The current Ferndale population is about 13,000. It is important to build on the other park systems around us. In 10 years our pop could be doubled. We need family wage jobs, to attract businesses and improve roads, infrastructure and water quality.
Jon Mutchler – Kids need things to do. The library was done with a $500k bond. That’s not much. An aquatics center is a possibility if done in partnership with others around us like the Blaine schools.
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Click for more informationRebecca Xczar – I want to see the parks built up and Star Park built. Recreation and parks are important.
Paul Ingram – Star park – built by volunteers and designed by kids. City clean up day – lots of people come out and get involved. Bender park is 7 acres on top of the hill just waiting to be developed. Get involved.
Keith Olson – These questions all center on things that cost money. Before the recession, the city had about twice the number of employees it has now. Property taxes and sales taxes are the ways to finance what we want. Increased sales tax is going to help spur this.
Greg Hanson – We need sidewalks and better roads. Ferndale terrace is a scary place to walk. These are quality of life issues and family safety issues.
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Click for more informationCathy Watson – There are many people who are just living on the edge economically. We need to attract more jobs here and provide recreation and kid activities on the cheap. More community activities.
Click here to read the candidates’ answers to the next forum question…