Ballots going out for Nov. 4 General Election

NEWPORT – The Pend Oreille County Auditor’s Office has the Voters Guide in the mail, with ballots going out for the Nov. 4 General Election Oct. 15. Washington votes mostly by mail so ballots that are mailed need to be postmarked no later than Tuesday, Nov. 4. Voters can also drop ballots off until 8 p.m. Nov. 4 at drop boxes in Newport (625 W. Fourth St.), Cusick (1921 LeClerc Rd. N.), Ione (208 Blackwell St.) and Metaline (101 Housing Drive). The drop boxes are open 24 hours a day during the election period.

While most of the races only have one candidate, there are some that are contested.

The race for Metaline Falls mayor is between two first time candidates, Walter Minsal and Sherice McAnerin. They emerged from the Primary Election as the top two vote getters over, outpolling current mayor Tara Leininger.

McAnerin owns a photography business and Minsal is a mechanic and auto electrician, who owns an auto repair shop.

“My approach is bipartisan, in that I observe, open mindedly weigh options whilst not compromising morality, lead by example, then act, achieving goals beneficial to all,” Minsal says in his Voters Guide statement. He says four decades in the service industry, his time as a mentor and entrepreneur and consulting have given him an insight into the needs of a community. Minsal didn’t respond to The Miner’s questions.

McAnerin says she has been a Fire District 2 volunteer for eight years. She worked for Education First as an exchange coordinator and for the Salvation Army and as the after-school coordinator for kindergartners.

“I am committed to supporting our current businesses, ensuring they thrive, and actively seeking new opportunities to invigorate our local economy,” she says in her Voters Guide statement. See McAnerin’s responses to The Miner’s questions in this issue.

There is a contested race for the Town of Metaline Falls Council position 2 between Mark Lockwood and Robin Witty.

“Oversight is important for a small town like Metaline Falls,” Lockwood says in his Voters Guide statement. He says he has been regularly attending town council meetings for the past year to understand how the town government works.

“I believe in the importance of civic duty and feel a strong desire to give back in any way I can,” Witty says in her Voters Guide statement. She volunteers for Sweet Creek Creations, where she helps sell fabric and makes comfort quilts that go to people who are going through difficult times.

Witty did not respond to The Miner’s questions. See Lockwood’s responses to The Miner’s questions this issue.

The Town of Ione has Council position No. 5 up for election between Ken Timmreck and Cory McNeal. Neither submitted information for the Voters Guide. Timmreck did not respond to The Miner’s questions. McNeal gave his answers to The Miner’s questions by phone because of technical difficulties. See his answers in this issue.

Everett Alford and Afton Servas are running for the Town of Cusick Council position 1.

Alford says he would like to help the town of Cusick to continue to improve in his Voters Guide statement. He didn’t respond to The Miner’s questions.

Servas didn’t submit information to the Voters Guide but did answer The Miner’s questions. See her answers in this issue.

The Riverside and Cusick School districts are running propositions for voters who live in those districts.

Riverside is seeking a five-year levy to be collected at $1.45 per $1,000 assessed value. The proposition would allow the district to levy taxes on all taxable property within the district to address aging facilities by improving district- wide safety, security, technology and infrastructure, including HVAC systems at all schools.

Supporters say in the Voters’ Guide that they’ve made changes in the new proposal to reduce the total cost from $73 million down to $18 million, shorten the term from a 25-year bond to a 5-year capital levy, and maintain one of the lowest tax rates in the region. They say the levy isn’t a luxury.

Opponents say the state legislature and governor just enacted a long list of new taxes, some that will be borne by property taxes next year. They say a $500,000 property would pay an additional $725 per year. Over five years the tax would total $3,625.

“Our committee will not ask you to vote for or against this capital levy. We ask that you be a knowledgeable voter and most importantly, vote!” opponents say in the Voters’ Guide.

The Deer Park School District is seeking a four-year levy for specific facility improvements. It would collect $3.44 million the first year rising to $3.72 million the fourth year to replace the 90-year-old transportation center and develop land. The money will be collected at a rate of $1.45 per $1,000 property value.