Enumclaw City Council Position No. 3 | Shelby DeVol and Mike Sando

Enumclaw City Council Position No. 5 | Thomas Mann

This is my second column on Enumclaw City Council candidates: Position 7, Sean Krebs vs. Hoke Overland. I asked the candidates to send me their answers to four questions, which I have cut and pasted below. I used their own words to avoid any bias on my part.

Hoke Overland          Sean Krebs

Background: Briefly describe your background and education as it relates to the Enumclaw City Council.

Sean Krebs: I have served on the Enumclaw City Council for several years and am a Certified Municipal Leader through the Association of Washington Cities. I have served on all of our council committees and have twice been chosen by my fellow council members to be mayor pro tem.

Hoke Overland: I have worked for King County Medic One for 35 years, serving as the chief of operations for the last 12 years. I help maintain a $16.5M budget, and have extensive governmental experience. I studied business at GRCC and Paramedicine at the UW. I have also owned a small business and built three homes. I have lived in Enumclaw for 11 years – on the Plateau for 17 years –and served in four community organizations.

Vision: Describe how you see Enumclaw now and how you would like to see it five years from now.

Sean Krebs: I see Enumclaw now as a great, small American city, but one that has had to cut back on many city services and obligations due to funding restrictions. Within five years I expect the city will be in a position to bring back some services the citizens request and we will again be able to invest in our city’s infrastructure (namely our streets).

Hoke Overland: Enumclaw is a quaint, charming town that needs the attention it deserves. Our streets are crumbling and our city needs new revenue. Recreational tourism will be a dominant focus. While maintaining our small-town feeling, we will become the destination getaway (base camp) for both Crystal and Mount Rainier. We will carefully add planned residential communities and attract quality businesses (jobs). The additional tax revenue will allow us to maintain our streets and parks and prosper.

Specific areas of interest in the city if elected, and strengths you would bring to the council position.

Sean Krebs: My strengths as a candidate are experience and leadership. I have years of understanding the processes necessary to be an effective councilperson. For example, our annual budget process is a complex one, yet vitally important for our city’s wellbeing. Leadership will also be crucial as the city works its way through the Comprehensive Plan review process. The Comprehensive Plan is a state-required document that impacts nearly all the decisions and planning for the city for the next several years.

Hoke Overland: I’m a fiscal conservative who runs a tight budget. I’m experienced in management, government operations, union relations, budgets and leadership. Being in operations, I know how to tackle tasks and challenges. I’m known for my integrity, fiscal responsibility, common sense, and willingness to serve rather than be served. I create cohesive teams to accomplish goals and think listening to others’ views is crucial. Economic development and ensuring the safety of our citizens will be paramount.

Contrast versus your opponent: Describe why you would be better suited for the council position than your opponent.

Sean Krebs: I do not know my opponent as he does not serve on any of our boards or commissions within the city nor has he attended any committee meetings of mine. However, I am sure he is a fine person and has Enumclaw’s well being at heart.

Hoke Overland: It’s time for a change: We need fresh, new ideas to revitalize our city and to generate revenue. My opponent has had 12 years in office and plenty of opportunity. Moreover, for the last four years, he has chaired the Economic Development Committee and has no accomplishments (Maple Valley and Bonney Lake had success). He has poor attendance at council meetings. I will return email and phone calls. Together, we will gain jobs and prosperity.

Note: Again, I strongly suggest you save these candidate responses until you have a chance to vote on your mail-in ballot, which should arrive in your mail about Oct. 15. I’ll have the last column on the remaining positions next week.