It’s another campaign season, and David’s ready to win your vote. Keep up with our website for updates throughout the summer, or check out David on Facebook.
Council Education Summary
City council members are provided opportunities to learn more about councilmember responsibilities and municipal issues from the Association of Washington Cities (AWC). The city budgets for these opportunities so that the councilmembers can be more effective in performing their duties. Councilmembers completing 30 hours of training are awarded the Certificate of Municipal Leadership (CML).
During their time on the council, many of the members have not taken full advantage of these opportunities. As of the date of publication, AWC reports the following credit hours earned by each council member:
| Name | Training Credits | Years on Council |
| David Futcher | 94 | 15 |
| Mike Karnofski | 29 | 2 |
| Nancy Malone | 10 | 4 |
| Kim Lefebvre | 10 | 6 |
| Jim Hill | 9 | 4 |
| Larry Alexander | 5 | 4 |
| Jeff McAllister | 0 | 2 |
Tam O’Shanter Getting Better Every Day
The improvements at Tam O’Shanter Park have brought new life to the centerpiece of the Kelso park system, and were funded mostly with grants. David and other staff worked with the area’s state legislators to obtain grant funding from the State of Washington to help create additional parking, repave neglected surfaces, and improve the park’s circulation during large events like the Highlander Festival.
David especially had a hand in getting the front parking lot repaved this year. Staff had recommended moving that portion of the project back into a later period. David argued that repairing the interior of the park but having a failed lot at the entrance was nonsensical, and convinced the council to include the entry lot in the first project phase.
David’s Governance Priorities
The city is not a separate entity from the citizens; it is its citizens. The city exists only to provide increased quality of life for its citizens.
Operating city government in an open manner, beyond what is required by state law. David provides monthly articles to the Chamber of Commerce to help keep the community abreast of Kelso’s developments.
David’s Financial Priorities
The city should operate within its means, minimizing the cost of government wherever possible, and maintaining appropriate operating reserves.
David: Less Talk, More Action
When it came time to rebuild Yew Street, David reminded the council that it was time to “get stuff done and stop talking about it.“
TDN Endorses David: “Intelligent, Experienced and Savvy”
The Daily News issued its endorsement in David’s race today, and strongly urged Kelso voters to retain him for another term. The paper applauded his intelligence, experience and political savvy, opining that “he has a much deeper understanding of finances than all the politicians who visit TDN, let alone his opponent.”
Looks like they got it right.
Upcoming Campaign Debates
David will be attending the following debates/interviews this campaign season:
- Wednesday, September 16 – Local Matters talk show on KLTV. Streams live from their website at 6 PM, or catch it on Comcast channel 29.
- Monday, September 21, 7:00 PM – Candidate forum at Canterbury Park, hosted by Longview Councilmember Ken Botero.
How Do You Pronounce ‘Futcher’?
Primary Results a Landslide for David
The 2015 primary results are in, and David grabbed a whopping 49.26% of the vote. “I appreciate the support of the folks in Kelso,” said David. “I believe these results are a testament that the hard work I’ve been doing is understood by most.”
David’s nearest opponent received 28% of the votes, and will be headed to the general election to face David again.