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.
