Two contests for East Wenatchee City Council deserve attention because the city’s five-year cash flow forecast projects deficits for infrastructure, reserves, and capital improvements. The council must balance budgets, unlike Congress leaders, which blissfully earmarks our requests for funds despite staggering budget deficits. Sorry, that was a detour.
    These are my recommendations based on Douglas County candidate profiles, the Chamber of Commerce’s candidate forum and information provided to the Wenatchee Business Journal and World.
    Three-term councilman George Buckner is challenged by Steve Still. Buckner worked with municipal finance for 30 years. He was the sole courageous vote against dropping the utility tax in 2001, which deprived the City of an estimated $2.5 million. Had Buckner’s view prevailed, the City could have avoided its cash crisis in 2008 and projected shortfalls. 
    When asked about the Loop Trail, he told the forum he’s, “interested in public access, not overly developed, and respecting private property interests.” That’s a politician’s answer that covers the waterfront, but development between the waterfront trail would ruin the trail.
    Still had the courage to stand for election, which I respect and appreciate. Raised in Waterville, he ran a farm for 15 years, and in 1983 opened Still Properties that operates from East Wenatchee.  He was an appointed county commissioner for nine months.
    His profile says, “I can bring a lot of business experience to the counsel,” although counsel refers to the city attorney. He added, “A budget should be created that does not jeopardize public safety and one we can all live with.” Buckner’s been working on that.
    Still didn’t show up at the candidate forum, nor respond to the WBJ.   
    Buckner should still serve on the Council.
    One-term councilman Chuck Johnson is challenged by C. Elaine Aiken.  Johnson owned Wenatchee Office Supply for twenty years and served as Finance Commissioner for the City of Wenatchee from 1994 to 2000, so he’s brought significant experience to budgeting.
    He’s promoting a strategic plan that would answer questions like, “What will our population be in 20-25 years?” My question is how valuable is a plan like that when the lack of buildable land means significant growth would come through annexation, which must be initiated by residents who live outside the city? 
    Johnson wants to keep the Loop Trail pretty much like it is, but might compromise for development inland.
    Aiken co-owned a business with her late husband Ralph for eight years. She’s been active in local politics for years and campaigned for Ralph when he was commissioner. She was an administrative assistant for 11 years in Free Methodist churches, first with Wenatchee and then Eastmont Community. She’s transformed her life with three college degrees since 2004 and become a self-employed mental health counselor. She’s energetic.
    She told the WBJ she could “contribute a unique, decisive perspective to the city council.” She also emphasized building pride in East Wenatchee and its cultural diversity to improve its leadership in the valley. She didn’t show up at the forum.
    Aiken’s responses to the local papers indicate she would offer a compassionate, historical voice to advance East Wenatchee’s leadership role. While Johnson is a highly qualified community servant, the Council and Treasurer have sufficient business expertise.
    Aiken got my vote.