AUDIO
- 9/26/2007 SULTAN COUNCIL/MAYOR CANDIDATE DEBATE
(All
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Main 2007 Election Debate 9/26/07
Discuss these, and other, topics on Jeff Kirkman's Message Board
DEBATE
SPONSORS
Sultan Early Word Toastmasters, co-sponsored by the Sky Valley Chamber
of Commerce
Debate Moderator: Joe Easley
Debate
Participants (alphabetical order):
Sarah Davenport-Smith, Dale Doornek, Carolyn Eslick (for Mayor), Jim Flower
and Kerry Ourada
Transcription of questions and an excerpt of B. Champeaux's Question asked solely of Kerry Ourada (pdf)
(Audio File A, 2:01 min. 356 kb) - DEBATE MODERATOR JOE EASLEY (Debate guidelines & rules): All questions will be addressed to all candidates. Each candidate will be given up to two minutes for an opening statement, and then up to two minutes to answer the questions. We will start with one of the prepared questions, and then go to the audience direct questions, alternating each time, a prepared question, then an audience question. Question One will start with the person to my right, and the second question will start with the second person to my right, and so on. We'll continue that process until exactly 8:30, and at that time each candidate will be given up to two minutes for a closing statement. Before I begin, I'd like to thank the Sultan School District for making the space available tonight. We would also like to thank the Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce for helping by co-sponsoring this event. And, of course, that meteor (sic) who is a member of the Early Word Toastmasters for operating a timing light. And if you look over there, you'll see how it's going to work. Here job tonight is to notify the candidates of the time by turning on the green light at one minute, the yellow light at a minute and a half, and the red light at two minutes.
And before we go on any further, I have this short little thing that John Seehuus has asked me [to] extend his regret that he will be unable to attend this evening. John had knee surgery this afternoon and is still under the effects of the sedative. In an endeavor to be fair, we will provide him with a copy of the questions asked here tonight, and ask The Valley Review to print his responses.
There's been a rumor that due to work [unintelligible], Derek Boyd is withdrawing from the race for council. We believe the full story will be in the next issue of The Valley Review.
2-MINUTE CANDIDATE OPENING STATEMENTS (Audio File B, 11:02 min., 1.3 mb)
MODERATOR QUESTION #1: It's time for the first question, which happens to be a two-part. And right after everybody answers that, we'll go to an audience question. Question #1, What do you feel is the most important issue facing Sultan today, and what is your solution to this issue? (Audio File C, 10:58 min., 1.3 mb)
Citizen Question #1, asked by Jeff Kirkman: I'm a resident. Have lived here in Sultan for almost seven years and a Planning Commissioner. The question I have for you is: What is your vision of this city? In my personal opinion, there is a lack of vision. That is why the planning is not happening. Would you tell me your vision of this city? Thanks.(Audio File D, 10:17 min., 1.2 mb)
MODERATOR QUESTION #2: We will begin with Sarah for the answer. Question Number Two: If a business were in the same financial condition as the City, and failing to find any new investors, they would need to sell off assets to survive. The City of Sultan owns land and buildings that it cannot afford to maintain. Do you support the idea of the city selling off some of its assets to help get its financial house in order? (Audio File E, 7:39 min., 908 kb)
Citizen Question #2, asked by Traci Hoenstine: If you were to make one promise to the citizens of Sultan if elected, what would that promise be? (Answer starts with Sarah) (Audio File F, 5:57 min., 707 kb)
MODERATOR QUESTION #3: Jim will be the first to respond. Would you be in favor of a Big Box store such as Wal-Mart or Costco coming to Sultan? And explain why or why no. (Audio File G, 7:39 min., 909 kb)
Citizen Question #3, asked by Robert Peterson: (Please read transcription for complete comments and question; it's a long statement related to big box stores and how many rooftops Sultan should have) (Audi File H, 10:46 min., 1.3 mb)
MODERATOR QUESTION #4: First to respond, it'll be Kerry. Departments within the City operate a garbage collection service, water and sewer treatment services and property management service. Would you support having these services contracted out to more efficient private enterprises for the true market value? If not, why not? (Audio File I, 6:27 min., 766 kb)
Citizen Question #4: Asked by Burl Champeaux, question only for Kerry Ourada; read entire transcription of this exchange or listen to AUDIO FILE J, 2:17 min., 273 kb
MODERATOR QUESTION #5: Next will be for Dale, to begin with. The current Sultan City Council voted this past year to raise monthly water and sewer fees. Do you agree or disagree with their decision, and why? (Audio File K, 6:58 min., 827 kb)
Citizen Question #5, asked by Robert Peterson (read the section of transcription for Mr. Peterson's extended comment/question, or listen to the Audio File L, 10:28 min., 1.2 mb)
MODERATOR QUESTION #6 (final question): We'll start with Carolyn. What experience, political or otherwise, do you have that would help make you a successful member of the Sultan City Council? (Carolyn Eslick, running for mayor, answered that question accordingly.) (Audio File M, 7:54 min., 937 kb)
CLOSING STATEMENTS BY CANDIDATES (Audio File N, 7:38 min., 906 kb)
Debate ended at 8:49 PM
NOTES ON OUR DIGITAL RECORDING AND FILES:
- This audio is accurate and complete. However, we urge that people contact the City directly to obtain the final agenda, and certified minutes, ordinances, resolutions or other documents: City Clerk Laura Koenig 360-793-2231. If you receive the automated message, you can bypass it and go directly to her voicemail by pressing "2" and then the pound (#) sign.
- As of the October 26, 2006 council meeting, the city began recording meetings using a Morantz MP3 digital recorder, which has records directly from the microphones to the recorder, thus, clearly than the audio we present here, with is captured from "room" sound from a microphone located near the podium. If you wish to secure a copy of the City's audio, contact Clerk Koenig.
- All of our digital audio files are in MP3 format, playable on Windows Mediaplayer or other MP3-compatible digital device