Election Debate Covers Big-Box Retailers, Strength of Sumner Schools

On a rainy Tuesday night, voters took refuge inside Sumner Presbyterian Church for an election debate hosted by the Bonney Lake-Sumner Courier-Herald and moderated by the League of Woman Voters.

Candidates for Sumner's City Council, the Sumner School Board and the East Pierce Fire Commission each answered questions generated by the newspaper’s editorial staff, as well as those submitted by the public in advance of the debate and from audience members in attendance.

See the full list of candidates .

The city council portion of the debate generated the most questions, ranging from the candidates’ feelings on the Northstar project and big-box stores to whether they felt having a primary was fair given that Cindi Hochstatter, who did not participate in the debate, is running unopposed for Position 5.

The Northstar project garnered the most emphatic opinions -- all four candidates clearly had strong opinions on whether such a chemical plant belongs in Sumner.

“I do not want it in Sumner,” said Position 4 interim .

“No,” Position 6 incumbent said plainly. “It’s that easy.”

, who is running for Position 4, added that within a mile and a half of the proposed location of the plant are the city’s library and at least four schools. In the event of an emergency, students would not be able to evacuate.

“It’s a risk not just for our children, but for all of our residents,” she said. “Whether it’s Northstar or any other company, it doesn’t have business here.”

But , the challenger for Position 6, said that in order for the city to make a firm decision, it must have a clear understanding of what forms of chemicals the company plans to hold there.

“They need to come to the table with a plan, the effects, etc.,” she said.

On the topic of big-box retail, the candidates were split.

Brown and Swanson said that location would be the most important factor in making such a determination.

“There are areas up north that would fit,” Brown said, adding that he would not support a big-box store in downtown because it would endanger the small-town lifestyle with which he grew up.

In pointing out that sales tax fuels the economy, Swanson said that he is cognizant that there are not enough rooftops in Sumner to support a Costco, but if the wholesaler were to come to the council with a proposal, “I would take a look at it if it was (for) the north.”

But Dumas and Kirkish were adamant that Target, Wal-Mart and the like do not belong in Sumner.

“We need to be willing to stick with our downtown and work with it,” Dumas said.

Kirkish said that she “flat out doesn’t believe in big-box retail – not in Sumner, and not anywhere else.”

“There are plenty of ways to get those retailers to fit into existing infrastructure without compromising what a city should be,” she said.

The four school-board candidates debated a range of topics including the district’s strengths and their own ability to make such a large time commitment to the position.

“I live and breathe Sumner schools,” said Casey Chamberlin, who is running for the director of District 4. “I’m a PTA dad – I set up the carnivals.”

Chamberlin said that he appreciates other parents having such enthusiasm for Sumner schools.

“What makes this district great is the turnout,” he said. “You see the involvement – it’s phenomenal. And the teachers just give their all. They go out of their way for every child.”

His challenger, Ron Weigelt, was born and raised in the area and said that the board would benefit from “being divided and having varying opinions.”

Among the things Weigelt is a fan of is that test scores are “going in the right direction” and that the district is committed to measuring improvement.

Jeff DeMarre, who is running for re-election as director of District 2, said that he feels Sumner is a “great place to learn (with) a great reputation.” Most importantly, he said, the school board has always had a good relationship with the teachers union.

“Having good relationships with educators keeps the district moving along and giving students what they need,” he said.

Challenger Paul Bucich said that he feels the community itself has great support for the district, which is evident by the showing at school and sporting events. He also lauded the district for its test scores.

He felt strongly that in a troubled economy, the district should avoid cutting maintenance and infrastructure, which is what people often suggest first.

“What that results in is a long-term cost to the community as schools fall apart,” Bucich said.

Ed Egan and Pat McElligott debated the future of the East Pierce Fire Commission, and both expressed concern about the budget.

With a budget of $30 million this year and a projected loss of $3 million in 2012, McElligott said that the main question is how to continue to provide service with less funding.

“I’ll tell you, there is no easy answer,” he said. “Citizens don’t care about the budget – they care if the fire department shows up when they have an emergency.”

Egan equated the situation to “where the rubber meets the road,” adding that despite having 55 volunteers in East Pierce, there are six unmanned fire stations in the area.

Egan said his top priority is to “provide quality service to each and every one of you. It’s imperative.”