One of the contested races in Medical Lake is City Council Position No. 4, which is held by incumbent Destiny Stein. Challenging her is former mayoral candidate Tony Harbolt and Don Kennedy, who has run for different council positions in past elections.
Destiny Stein
Destiny Stein has served on council for the last four years, which she described as a “great experience” for her in learning how local government worked, how much effort goes into governing the city and how its finances work. She has also served on the following council committees: finance, parks and recreation, public safety and public works. Outside of council, Stein has volunteered at Hallett Elementary School.
Stein’s goals for her second term on council are similar to her first. She would for improve the city’s public safety services, such as making sure the fire department has funding to receive the training they need to better serve the community. She would also strive for adequate law enforcement, and would like to see downtown Medical Lake become more vibrant and family friendly.
“My children will be growing up here, so I want to ensure a safe and fun community, not only for them, but for other families that currently live here or want to move here,” Stein wrote in an email.
Tony Harbolt
Tony Harbolt, a U.S. Army veteran, is a former Medial Lake chief of police and is currently an industrial safety officer for the Washington State Department of Corrections. He has been involved in numerous groups in the area, including Special Olympics of Washington, the Medical Lake High School Booster Club and West Plains Little League.
Harbolt’s top priority as a council member would be community safety. He is open to exploring all avenues in keeping residents safe, including a review of the city’s contract with Spokane County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services.
Harbolt is a proponent of enforcing existing ordinances, such as nuisance properties, winter parking issues and door-to-door solicitation. He feels aggressive code enforcement would attract new residents and businesses.
Harbolt would also like to see repairs made to the walking path around Medical Lake connecting to the Fox Hollow subdivision and more lighting on the back side of the path. He would work with council to seek grant funding opportunities and support from community partners to cover costs.
Harbolt would also adopt an “attitude of gratitude” in welcoming new business to Medical Lake.
“I would like to work with other city leaders, community stakeholders and any other person or group who shares the same desire to polish off some of the rough-edged appearances that Medical Lake does not foster a business-friendly environment,” he said.
Don Kennedy
Don Kennedy, who has run for City Council seats in the past, feels he has something to offer the city.
Kennedy is a precinct committee officer and served on local organizations, including the Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival board. He was also vice president for a financial institution and described himself as “kind of fiscally conservative.”
He also believes council should be welcoming to visitors, encourage community events and help small businesses.
Kennedy hopes to raise the community’s awareness of local events. While the Founders Day festival is well-attended, he would like to see more residents support events like the bluegrass festival and the triathlons held at Waterfront Park. He would also work to bring some of those events and visitors into Medical Lake and have them visit the local businesses.
As a council member, Kennedy said he would analyze all of the available data and listen carefully to all sides of an issue before making a decision. He understands that as a small community, Medical Lake has limited finances for city services.
“We have the money for things that should be done, like providing utilities and fixing roads,” Kennedy said. “I would make sure the city has the finances to do what needs to be done and not overspend.”
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