Council candidates prioritize city issues
Ken Westcott
Monda Williams
Georgia Ballentyne
Terry Faust
Two political newcomers are attempting to unseat two incumbent members of Washington City Council in Tuesday’s election.
Georgia Ballentyne, a Republican, and Monda Williams, a Democrat, are making their first run for two seats on council and will be facing off against incumbents Ken Westcott and Terry Faust.
Westcott will appear on the Democratic ballot after gathering enough write-in votes in the primary. He had filed to run in the Democratic primary but his nominating petitions were challenged and he withdrew them. Faust, who also withdrew from the Republican primary after his petitions were challenged, is running as an independent.
The candidates’ opinions of the city’s priorities varied from finances to the heroin epidemic.
Ballentyne prioritized roads and garbage collection as the most pressing issues.
“Our money’s not going where it needs to be going. You don’t take money out of our solid waste (account) and put it in general funds,” Ballentyne said. “And our roads, definitely, are in bad shape. Everybody has complained about it.”
In March, council took action to transfer surplus solid waste funds into the general fund and fund reserve. Residents have complained about the 17 percent increase in fees from Waste Management, with which the city’s three-year contract is up for renewal at the end of the year.
“As far as I’m concerned, I’m a new kid on the block. But I’ve gone to city council meetings for years,” Ballentyne said. “If you don’t like something, you have to try to change it.”
Ballentyne would also like for residents’ concerns to be addressed in a more respectful and timely manner and would like to lure businesses to the city.
Terry Faust, current head of the parks and public buildings department, said he will use his business knowledge in helping the city move toward financial recovery. In his tenure, he said he helped the city recover from a $2.1 million deficit and earn an A- credit rating with Standard and Poors. He said he created a capital improvement fund used to purchase police cars, trucks and street department equipment without incurring further debt.
“I plan on continuing leading the city with a bipartisan view, open to all ideas and suggestions that will benefit the citizens,” Faust said. “Council has made some unpopular decisions, but not without in-depth discussion … We are heading in the right direction and will need to continue to work together to address the existing and future problems of the city,” he said in a written response.
In the future, he wants to use a grant to fix storm water issues at the Colt and Pony League fields at Washington Park and improve the 7th and 8th Ward playgrounds.
Ken Westcott, current head of the street department, has previously been mayor for eight years and a councilman for two years. He said his first priority is bringing businesses to the city through strategic redevelopment.
“The city is financially on stable ground because of the previous administration, who had to bite the bullet and raise taxes to get city stable again,” Westcott said. “Moving forward, I want to be a good steward and spend wisely.”
Westcott want to work with council to increase street repair funds.
“Being able to do 52 miles of roads with nine guys – that’s pretty impressive,” he said.
Westcott said the city’s antiquated sewer system is also a priority.
The most pertinent city issues, according to Williams, are the heroin epidemic and the public school system. Williams believes more intervention options, community engagement and leadership involvement would help curb drug use.
“I believe we all have a part. Everybody has to do their part to be of service to the greater good,” said Williams, who, if elected, would be the first black woman on city council.
A U.S. Army veteran with an advanced degree, Williams said she could not get a job in Washington County. She wants to help residents obtain local employment.
“I’m passionate about positive creative change, and that’s high on my list,” she said. “When things need done, I like to think we have the type of leadership in place that will address the issues and concerns and act as engaged leaders.”