Time to choose after council candidate interviews

Last Tuesday, Oct. 26, La Conner’s town council and residents filling Maple Hall’s small meeting room heard from three candidates applying to fill the seat vacated by Jacque Brunisholz in August. Next Tuesday, Nov. 9, the four council members will choose between Bill Bruch, Rich De Shon and Annie Taylor.

Each candidate had 15 minutes, starting with an introduction. De Shon went first. While he and his wife Terri moved here only two years ago, they want to stay here the rest of their lives, he told council. The retired county corrections officer (California and Oregon) is committed to service, saying “Anytime you are a member of the community, you serve.”

Asked by Councilmember John Leaver to elaborate on finding “creative funding,” De Shon offered research finding small towns that managed gas stations at competitive prices to residents and increasing rental revenue from the Civic Garden Club and Maple Hall.

Queried about conflict and communications, De Shon stressed a reasonable attitude, focusing on facts, withholding judgment and letting people have their say. For communications, he said he would be available, whether at Gilkey Square or a coffee shop and that a “town e-mail” was an option.

He is for filling the code enforcement position. He gives La Conner high marks for livability and quality of life, saying for residents, “Our desires are being listened to and being taken seriously.”

Bill Bruch summed up his years in La Conner, including being on council in 2016-2017 but having to resign to take a job in Mount Vernon. Earlie he had a photography business in the Lime Dock building. He applied for the vacancy because he “thought this was something I could do. I promise not to move out of town.”

He noted he had a lot of experience without mentioning his campaign for state representative in 2020.

Leaver challenged him on wearing a mask, asking him about going into the post office unmasked. Bruch replied he respected property rights and always put on a mask in the post office, that COVID is very real and he was not a COVID denier. He said he had read science articles that said masks stopping virus spread was like “a grain of sand going through a chain link fence.”

Council’s priorities start with aging infrastructure and the expense of maintaining it. Bruch said he was passionate about parks and would allocate funds for a children’s playground at the new Maple Avenue park.

Asked about being chair of the Skagit County Republican Party, he called it a service to the community and a volunteer position. He was chair while on council, he said and that council was a nonpartisan position and he did not want to bring in judgements, but “let’s face it; we all have biases.”

Leaver challenged him on his party’s website supporting some La Conner candidates for town council, which Bruch denied.

Bruch made a commitment to finish the council term if chosen.

Annie Taylor introduced herself as a La Conner resident since 2013, owner of Crescent Moon Yoga and its building on Morris and Sixth streets and a server at Nell Thorn restaurant. She stressed her working with budgets and people as skills the council will find beneficial. She understands that improving people’s environments is more than improving their physical space, saying we have to be aware of our surrounding and what is healthy for each and every person.

Tourists, she said, confirm that “our little town is unique. People want to be here.” They tell her it gives them breathing room. Taylor wants to connect people with each other, so she is concerned about the town growing too big.

Councilmember Marylee Chamberlain asked Taylor about her application comment about things that do not line up. Taylor pointed to the “large disconnect” with the public and Hedlin Park, that the people needs have to be taken into account in creating “a beautiful park.”

Taylor said she makes decisions based on research, that in making decisions she does “not fly off, but go with my gut. My gut told me to be here tonight.” She also listens to different groups to find out their needs.

The top of her list issues are infrastructure, water, sewer treatment plant. She is committed to maintaining La Conner as a tourist destination.

The bi-weekly council meeting started after a short break with public comments. In quick succession four people stepped up to laud Bruch but only two, Mike Bucy and Tim Harris, gave La Conner addresses. All stressed his trustworthiness and his keeping his word.

At its Nov. 9 meeting, the council will discuss the candidates and vote to fill the vacancy. The municipal code requires the votes of all council members.