BINGEN — The League of Women Voters and Columbia Gorge News sponsored an in-person candidate forum on Oct. 14 for Bingen residents running for local office. The event was hosted and emceed by current Mayor Catherine Kiewit at the Society Hotel.
Candidate Maya Deo did not register for the forum in time to participate, and Eric Shroder did not provide contact information on his filing paperwork; both are running for council seat 5. Craig Trummel, council seat 2, and Dale Grinstead-Mayle, council seat 3, are both running unopposed.
Below is a list of the candidates running in the contested races, and a brief summary of each candidate’s response.
Mayoral Candidate Clinton Deo
Mayoral Candidate Kelsey Ramsey
Council Seat 5 Candidate Erika Almskaar
Council Seat 5 Candidate Quinton Deo
Give a brief bio and state why you want to run for office in Bingen.
Mayoral Candidate Clinton Deo has previously served on city council and is a family business owner; a priority is affordable housing.
Mayoral Candidate Kelsey Ramsey wants to be part of the conversation, loves the town, and is a software engineer with experience in infrastructure. He will prioritize listening, fiscal responsibility, and teamwork.
Council Seat 5 Candidate Erika Almskaar is a youth advocate who wants to represent her neighbors. She has experience in mediation and problem-solving, and would prioritize safe streets and clean water.
Council Seat 5 Candidate Quinton Deo is a firefighter. He is on the Huckfest committee and has a fire science degree. His goal is to know everyone in town.
How long have you lived in Bingen? What do you love about it?
Clinton Deo has off and on whole life and loves the surrounding area and people.
Ramsey has lived here four years and loves its proximity to recreation, even when walking.
Almskaar has lived here for years and loves the size of town and knowing people’s names.
Quinton Deo has also lived here off and on his whole life and loves the town’s small size and the fire department.
What budget challenges do you foresee for the City of Bingen and what solutions do you propose to help solve those challenges?
Clinton Deo is against raising taxes, and would go after grants. He said government can’t raise taxes in a rushed way.
Ramsey’s priorities are clean drinking water, wastewater treatment, and jail costs
Almskaar’s priorities are childcare, safe walking solutions working with legislature, and a reasonable tax burden on residents
Quinton Deo would like to see more grants, especially for fire and police costs.
How should Bingen prepare for and adapt to climate-related challenges?
Clinton Deo said defensible space and involving partner agencies.
Ramsey also said defensible space as well as an education campaign.
Almskaar said evacuation protocols awareness, maintenance of vacant properties, and promoting fire readiness
Quinton Deo said maintain current good practices, and agreed on maintaining vacant properties.
How do you plan to engage individuals and the community in your decision-making processes to ensure their voices are heard and considered?
Clinton Deo: Town halls, newsletter.
Ramsey: Newsletter, social media.
Almskaar: Newsletters, social media, talking to neighbors.
Quinton Deo: Suggestion box, town halls, Facebook page.
What specific measures do you think the City of Bingen can propose to address the housing crisis in the county, ensuring that housing is available for all residents, specifically those on a limited and/or fixed income?
Clinton Deo said looking to the Urban Growth Boundary and calling on investors.
Ramsey said optimizing vacant properties/houses.
Almskaar said requiring affordable options in new developments.
Quinton Deo said limiting short-term rentals.
How would you work with other city leadership to plan for long-term infrastructure needs?
Clinton Deo would talk to employees, staff, and leadership.
Ramsey would identify needs and lean on experts.
Almskaar would use the staff’s strengths and rely on institutional knowledge.
Quinton Deo would use the experts we have.
Are you for or against the underpass project and why?
Clinton Deo believes it is needed, but dislikes the construction.
Ramsey believes it is very needed to get emergency vehicles to the port area.
Almskaar said it is a good and necessary investment, pointed to a need to fight social media misinformation, and the need for safety.
Quinton Deo said it is very much needed as a safety issue, and that the fire department can’t get to port area when trains are present.
Bingen is a close-knit community where personal relationships often overlap with civic life. How would you navigate potential conflicts of interest or perceptions of favoritism in your role?
Clinton Deo said he’s raised kids and wants to be the people’s voice.
Ramsey said he is here to represent the people of Bingen, not his own interests.
Almskaar is a teacher and knows that feelings toward a person should not affect the job you do.
Quinton Deo would listen to both sides and prioritize what’s best for the whole community.
For mayoral candidates: What kind of leadership do you believe Bingen needs right now, and how would you fulfill that as mayor?
Deo had no criticisms of current mayor, saying, “I will be there to listen.”
Ramsey would like to see residents more involved in the process of city government.
For mayoral candidates: What would you do to support young families in the community?
Deo suggested utilizing the great community park, adding that it’s mom and dad’s job to support their family.
Ramsey suggested safe street crossings and maximizing public park opportunities. For those interested, the League of Women Voters of Klickitat/Skamania and Columbia Gorge News have a video of the whole forum on Facebook.
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