Experience gives Kelley edge for M-F city council

Published 10:26 pm Monday, April 21, 2008

Milton-Freewater voters actually are quite fortunate. They have two highly-qualified candidates for the at-large city council position to choose between in the upcoming election.

Debbie Kelley is the incumbent, who has 12 years of service on the council and more than 20 years as a resident of the city. She is challenged by Jeff Anliker, a Mac-Hi graduate who returned to his hometown after being away for nearly two decades.

Voters must choose between an experienced, intensely positive and knowledgeable candidate -Kelley – or an intensely enthusiastic candidate who believes he can positively change the city – Anliker.

The East Oregonian endorses Kelley because of her experience, confidence in and commitment to Milton-Freewater.

Mr. Anliker, who currently is serving on the planning and zoning commission, said he ran for the position because his hometown seems to have changed little during the 18 years he was away.

“That’s not good,” he said during our interview.

While Anliker is correct that Milton-Freewater appears much the same, Kelley pointed out the city is in a strong financial position despite the inherent struggles of being a small city in Oregon.

Kelley also noted the city has secured its water rights for a five-mile radius, maintained and improved parks, improved its water well service, upgraded its sewage treatment plant, rebuilt the aquatic center and has a popular and well-cared for golf course.

Anliker said that, because of a shaky economy and a lack of thriving businesses in Milton-Freewater, many residents drive north to Walla Walla to buy necessities and for entertainment.

“This has got to change,” he said. “Money is leaving and that is a huge problem.” Anliker also said the city’s businesses and lack of code enforcement create a visual plight that discourages development of existing and new businesses.

Kelley said the city just received a $750,000 community development block grant to attract and enhance business and job creation. In addition, the city is one of only a handful of cities who were fully funded for an analysis that will identify areas and businesses best suited for Milton-Freewater.

Anliker certainly deserves credit for immediately stepping into civic service after returning to Milton-Freewater. He serves on the P&Z – not one of the most glamorous volunteer positions – so he has seen many of the problems as well as the potential facing the most northern city in Umatilla County.

Kelley seems to possess more knowledge of the challenges and path to success. And, she has some innovative ideas, such as the expansion of bus service to Walla Walla. That would give a distinct financial advantage – considering the seemingly non-stop increases in gas prices – to living in Milton-Freewater, where home prices are more reasonable than in Washington’s version of the Napa Valley.

Both candidates rightfully believe the city of Milton-Freewater has the potential for stable and sustained growth while maintaining the best qualities of a small town.

We certainly agree and thus believe voters must choose between two outstanding candidates.

While either Mr. Anliker or Ms. Kelley can capably serve the citizens of Milton-Freewater, we believe Ms. Kelley is the best choice in this year’s election.

? Unsigned editorials are the opinion of the East Oregonian editorial board, comprised of Editor and Publisher George Murdock, General Manager Wendy DalPez, Managing Editor Skip Nichols, Deputy Managing Editor Dave Sager, Assistant Editor-Hermiston Dean Brickey and Associate Publisher Kathryn Brown. Other columns, letters and cartoons on this page express the opinions of the authors and not necessarily that of the East Oregonian.