Experience key to Granite Falls race

By Leslie Moriarty

Herald Writer

GRANITE FALLS — Both candidates for mayor of this city of about 2,350 residents agree on some issues: Traffic improvements need to be made and downtown needs to attract new businesses.

But they disagree on whether political experience is needed to run the city.

Twelve-year Granite Falls City Council veteran Tom Bergan faces political novice Floyd "Butch" DeRosia in the mayor’s race Nov. 6.

The winner will hold the seat for four years and get paid $6,000 a year. The current mayor, Rella Morris, has resigned and moved to Arizona. She was replaced on an interim basis by council member Dave Larsen, who is not running for re-election to the council.

Bergan, 54, said he is looking forward to the coming years in Granite Falls. He has had disputes over the former mayor’s leadership capabilities and wants to see the city get started down a new path.

"This town has been in a rut for the last eight years," he said. "I’d like to change that."

Bergan thinks the biggest issues the town faces are traffic and growth.

He supports an alternate truck route north, around the city, and would work to get state funding to build the route.

"Trucks are a fact of life here, and we have to deal with that," he said. "I just hope for a reasonable solution."

As a part of that, once a route is in place, Bergan pledges to find ways to make sure downtown stays alive and healthy.

"We need to make sure that people still come downtown to shop and eat," he said. "I want to see some new businesses downtown and some more parking."

Parking lots that don’t involve on-street parking are one solution, he said.

DeRosia, 54, a retired machinist, also supports the alternate route and wants to see it expedited.

"I’ll meet with county and state representatives to do what I can to make sure it happens," he said.

He too wants to see more business downtown and would like to see more businesses join and support the Chamber of Commerce.

He supports creating an industrial park in the city that could provide jobs and tax revenues.

DeRosia, who has lived in Granite Falls for 14 years, says he’s the strongest candidate because he is retired and can devote more time to being mayor.

He said he thinks it’s time for new people to get involved in local politics and run the city.

"There’s no room for the political factions that have been in place in this city before," he said. "I believe in 2001. It’s time for change."

Bergan, however, says his years of experience on the council make him the better candidate.

"There are several council seats up for grabs, too," he said. "We potentially could end up with five new people on the council and as mayor. We need a leader who knows what’s going on and has some experience."

Bergan said he thinks he’s been a good councilman for the past 12 years and wants to continue to serve the city.

"I stand on my record," he said. "I really do love this town, and my only agenda is to do good things for this city."

You can call Herald Writer Leslie Moriarty at 425-339-3436

or send e-mail to moriarty@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Everett
Judge sentences man, 73, for intending to have sex with ‘teen’ in Everett

The Arizona man sent explicit images to an agent posing as a 13-year-old. Investigators found images of child sexual abuse on his phone.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

State’s draft of climate action plan open for public comment

Residents can submit public comments or climate-related stories online through Aug. 22.

The Edmonds School Board discusses budget cuts during a school board meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds school board approves 2025-26 budget

After facing an estimated $8.5 million shortfall earlier in the year, the board passed a balanced budget Tuesday.

A wall diagram shows the “journey of the ballot” at the new Elections Center on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County Auditor: No need for feds to meddle with state or local elections

Garth Fell’s comments were in response to a report of Justice Department mulling criminal charges against election officials.

Edmonds Police Chief Loi Dawkins speaks after the city council approved her appointment on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds City Council confirms new police chief

Assistant Chief Loi Dawkins will begin in the role Aug. 1. She has more than 23 years of law enforcement experience, including three years in Edmonds.

The Edmonds City Council discuss the levy during a city council meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds votes to place levy lid lift on the ballot

By a vote of 5-2, the council decided to put the $14.5 million property tax levy lid lift to voters in November.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.