Payette candidates speak at forum
By Brandi Stromberg
Argus Observer
Monday, November 2, 2009 10:52 AM PST
Payette — Nearly 100 people turned out Monday night to hear mayoral candidates Jeff Williams and Doug Henderson answer questions about Payette during a candidate forum.
Economic development, taxes, the new fire station, traffic and public safety were all points of discussion during the forum.
Henderson began the evening with his opening speech, followed by his opposing candidate, Williams.
“Let me just start by saying, I am proud,” Henderson said. “I am proud of how we work together as a team, residents, staff, council and mayor. I am proud of this city and the opportunity to serve it. We have a lot to be proud of, and I hope we are allowed to continue to add to this progress for years to come.”
Henderson said he intends on continuing the good pattern of teamwork if he is re-elected mayor for the next term. He said he is aware of some improvements he needs to make as a mayor, which he has made public and will proceed to work on.
Williams followed Henderson’s opening speech denouncing rumors that he intends to completely eliminate the Payette Police Station, employee benefits and lower employee wages.
“I have answered questions about cutting employee benefits and getting rid of the police department for approximately three weeks, since they started circulating,” Williams said. “I have no intention of doing either of those things. They are both untruths that I want to eliminate now.”
Williams said he has asked questions about having all police officers circulating but never has he asked for the police department to be eliminated.
“Give credit where credit is due, and stop the double talk,” Williams said.
The audience and moderator Jeff Ward asked a reel of questions, which both candidates were given two minutes each to answer.
Ward asked the candidates about the economic growth and how the two plan to improve the growth of the Payette businesses.
“I feel like I have done a lot of things, personally, to accomplish new businesses in Payette,” Williams said. “I brought Youngberg over here, my wife and I bought Coldwell Banker and brought new real estate agents over here, Payette Auto Supply moved over here because of some encouragement from me, personally.”
Henderson said he also has worked very closely, as mayor, to help businesses prosper in Payette.
“When Maverick came to the city in interest to put a store over here, I personally and immediately encountered them,” Henderson said. “I spoke with them on a weekly basis. As far as I know, that store is one of the most successful in the area.”
Henderson said they are only allowed to do so much to encourage businesses to move over to Payette, but they do as much as possible.
“Idaho keeps us from giving a new business a tax break, but we’re doing what we can,” Henderson said. “We can offer free water and/or sewer services for a year, which we have done.”
Public safety was another topic discussed at the forum. Williams and Henderson agreed that the officer per capita is higher than quite a few surrounding towns.
“You may not think its a good thing at first, but we keep the gangs and violence at bay,” Williams said. “It is a good thing to keep our public safe.”
Henderson agreed saying the police department is very well staffed and trained.
“With the new fire station being obtained, that is a definite plus and upward movement for Payette,” Henderson said. “Our stations, police and fire, are both very well staffed and trained and equipped.”
Williams countered stating that he has been approached by residents asking why the volunteer firefighter count is so low. He said he was unaware of that and would find out, but he said it goes back to communication.
“I don’t like being blind-sided like that. Why didn’t I know?” Williams asked. “I don’t think its right that I am council person and had no idea our volunteer firefighter count was down.”
Ward asked the two candidates how the new fire station is going to effect the cost of the old station compared to the new costs.
“I can’t help but think that this station is going to be bigger. How is it not going to cost more?” Williams said. “As of right now, we pay $4,000 in utilities and $3,800 with operational expenses, a month.”
Henderson said the station is going to be bigger, but it’s also going to be in better condition and more energy efficient than the old one.
“I know people don’t like to hear this term, but the new station is going to be green,” Henderson said. “We can’t give you an exact number of the difference in costs, but I can tell you it’s going to be more efficient.”
Williams said he isn’t arguing with the new fire station and the fact that it’s going to be more efficient and up-to-date, but he can’t deny it’s going to cost more.
“I’m glad we got this grant, but I can’t help but worry since the building is going to be bigger, the expenses are going to be higher,” Williams said.
Another subject broached by Ward and the audience was the nearly $6 million surplus the city has had. Residents asked why they weren’t aware of the surplus and where the monies went.
“We have used those funds to not only balance the budget because, when a bond isn’t passed or taxes aren’t raised, we have to get the money from somewhere,” Henderson said. “But the money that was in surplus wasn’t something that was just all of a sudden there. It is money that was accumulated over decades.”
Williams said that although is a reserve, the residents had a right to know the money was there.
“Those are their tax dollars. We should have told them they were there,” Williams said. “Again, communication needs to be better in our city.”
Henderson said it was a healthy reserve. Every city, every business needs to have the reserve, he said.
“We run the city just like any other business would be run. We need to have a savings of some sort,” Henderson said. “There hasn’t been $6 million in the reserve for quite some time now. But, that money was used to improve our streets, road signs, parks, city improvements.”
Henderson and Williams then both made closing statements.
“You have heard all of the false rumors going around,” Williams said. “The public has a right to true information to make their choice and anyone that abuses that right should be ashamed.”
Williams said ethics play a major role in his personal and business life.
“I will not stoop to the low level of ethics that my opponent has,” he said. “I hope the city employees, the citizens and the business community understand the potential for how unethical this practice can be. In closing, the question is, do you want the mayor to run the city or do you want government by the people?”
Henderson retorted by asking the audience to consider one thing, if Williams has had so many issues with the way the city has been ran, why hasn’t he communicated his concerns with the mayor, the administration or anyone else?
“If this has all been said and done, there are only two conclusions I can draw, they are either all lies, or Williams has lacked in his duties as a councilman and hasn’t approached me on these issues,” Henderson said. “He is doing exactly the opposite of what he wants. He isn’t communicating with the government and the council on what his issues are.”
Henderson said there is no truth or fact to the accusations Williams made during his opening speech.
“I will defend what was said, call me or ask me. You may not like what I have to say, but I will defend all of my decisions and actions,” Henderson said. “Don’t take my word for what we have accomplished. Ask a council member, ask a department head, ask the administration. Look around, this city is prospering. No, I can’t and don’t take all the credit. It’s been a team effort that I look forward to obtaining for the next four years.”
