In Moscow, six vying for three city council seats

Three Moscow City Council seats are open for election this fall and six candidates are asking for the public’s vote.

Sandra Kelly and Drew Davis are the incumbents hoping to continue representing Moscow residents. They are competing against Bryce Blankenship, Joe Campbell, Evan Holmes and Nathan Tupper. Residents will be asked to vote for three candidates at the polls Nov. 7.

The Lewiston Tribune and Moscow-Pullman Daily News sent all of them a questionnaire to let them share details about themselves and their perspectives on the future of Moscow. All but Tupper replied.

Bryce Blankenship

Why did you decide to run for office?

Moscow is a community where people can thrive and feel connected to others and the land of the Palouse in meaningful and intentional ways. And it is for these continued connections, both past and present, that I hope to represent our community on the City Council. I’ve wanted to continue to invest in this town that has given me so much, and I am excited to give back by offering my unique perspective and skillset on Council.

What unique qualities would you bring to the table as a city councilor?

My skillset as a philosopher and educator make me well-positioned to be an effective and encompassing City Councilor. I pride myself on being an intentional listener and learner — being patient and effective when it comes to decision-making and communicating those decisions effectively. As a senior instructor at the University of Idaho, I believe I am in a unique position to act as a conduit between students, faculty and the city. I will intentionally help grow the relationship between the University of Idaho and the city and be an active voice in various pockets throughout the community.

What are the most pressing issues Moscow needs to address?

The city must think about how to manage growth and development in sustainable, effective, and thoughtful ways. This means paying close attention to decisions surrounding fair and affordable housing, access to water, and various infrastructure issues. I will prioritize solution-based water management from insights and guidance from organizations like the Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee. I will focus on data-driven metrics to help inform how to plan sustainably for the future. Additionally, I hope to be passionate about preserving and fostering the depth of our community connections —celebrating our unique intergenerational collective that makes Moscow so special.

If elected, what do you hope to accomplish by the end of your first term?

First, I will always advocate for the city — I will be an effective and thoughtful voice as we are mindful of the present but look to the future. I will strengthen the partnership and relationship between the city and the university. I will support small businesses throughout the community and be active and intentional in the decision-making processes of issues listed in the question above. Lastly, I aim to bring people together and celebrate diverse viewpoints and perspectives in all corners of our town — all of which will contribute to moving Moscow forward.

Joe Campbell

Why did you decide to run for office?

I’ve always had an interest in politics and community service. Growing up, my family spent much of the time below the poverty level. Toward the end of my teaching career I developed an interest in political theory, viewing the concept of liberty in broad and varied ways.

Our life choices are a function of our abilities and our opportunities, but not all opportunities are equal. I want to help create opportunities in education, housing, transportation and health care. Equality of opportunity helps citizens become self-sufficient, and self-sufficiency makes for a better democracy.

What unique qualities would you bring to the table as a city councilor?

I’ve had a successful, fortunate, and diverse life. Growing up in a single-parent household, with a wheelchair-bound sister, I went to high school in a town that was 40% Jewish, and graduated from a college that was 40% Black. While earning degrees, I waited tables, made deliveries and washed dishes. I eventually earned teaching awards, and I’m editing my 10th book.

I appreciate complex problems and diverse points of view. My experience organizing forums will be put to use. I can help Moscow have the important conversations we need to have to have the future we want to have.

What are the most pressing issues Moscow needs to address?

According to the Climate Action Plan, we need to reduce emissions by over 50% by 2035, obtaining net-zero emissions by 2050. Transportation is the third-largest sector in the plan. To reduce emissions, we need increased options in public transportation and active transportation such as walking and cycling. Public transportation is a Catch-22 since as transportation options increase usage will grow but we need usage to grow in order for transportation options to increase. To begin, we need to familiarize people with existing public transit options and seek input about which options they would use if given the choice.

If elected, what do you hope to accomplish by the end of your first term?

Our progress on transportation in four years will be a gauge for progress toward net-zero emissions. One goal of the CAP is to encourage employers to develop alternative transportation incentives. For our efforts to be sustainable we need to work with businesses and developers. Business and homes need to be close for walkability and rideability to be options. Working together as a community, there are multiple ways to incentivize transportation options. I retired last spring as a professor after teaching 26 years at WSU. I have a unique ability to use my experience in academia for the benefit of our community.

Drew Davis

Why did you decide to run for office?

In December 2022 I was appointed by Mayor (Art) Bettge to the City Council because of my professional background on planning and zoning, infrastructure, water planning and architecture. I decided to run again because I believe my perspective paired with my professional background is still needed on the Council.

What unique qualities would you bring to the table as a city councilor?

I work in the western United States in several different cities where I get to see firsthand how they operate, and I’d like to be able to take the lessons learned and apply them back to our city here in Moscow.

Currently I’m the only one on the Council and candidate running who has a young family. The perspective of a young family is needed in our city when making decisions. We have incredible amenities and services for our residents such as recreation facilities and the parks, pathways, and rec programs. I always want to represent the young family perspective on issues and decision making. Moscow is a great place to raise a family, I want to ensure for years to come.

What are the most pressing issues Moscow needs to address?

Frequently important matters are brought before the City Council that aren’t in the city council’s jurisdiction. I would like to have meetings and information sessions that are recorded and written information that helps instruct citizens what City Council does have jurisdiction over.

Refresher class of local, county and state government responsibilities. I could see this being an hour’s class twice a year where citizens could attend and be informed of the best path to resolve problems issues they see. I think this would be best if the class was taught by members of council, county and state elected official. Citizens could interact more effectively with the elected officials.

If elected, what do you hope to accomplish by the end of your first full term?

I want to start a housing submit for the Palouse like the water summit. This would educate the public and bring different stakeholders such as financial institutions, universities, the city’s contractors, engineers, architects together to proposed solutions for our city. This would allow us to find alternatives for our city and region

Evan Holmes

Why did you decide to run for office?

Gratitude motivates me to run for office. For more than 30 years I’ve observed and participated in the machinery that runs Moscow. I’m winding down my contracting business, and now have time to use my accumulated knowledge and skills as part of a team of people who share my desire to make this the best place possible. I know the reward of public service from many years working for the National Park Service. In Moscow, Nancy and I learned the real value of community as we raised kids, operated businesses, volunteered where needed, and embraced its pace and quality of life.

What unique qualities would you bring to the table as a city councilor?

— My business management experience, especially an understanding of contracts, budgets, deliverables, and timelines.

— My participation, over the past 30 years, in local public hearings (e.g., annual city budget), workshops (e.g., Moscow’s Comprehensive Plan), community organizations (e.g., Moscow Food Co-op), government boards (e.g., Zoning Board of Adjustment) and attendance at more than 200 city council meetings.

— My wife Nancy’s perspective, as a UI alum with expertise in public surveys and program evaluation; founder/owner of Beginning With Music; past member of ACMS and other boards; current member of Moscow Interfaith Association; and recent retiree from UI’s Office of Research and Economic Development.

What are the most pressing issues Moscow needs to address?

— The short-term ripple effects stemming from a diminishing pool of affordable housing for rent or purchase: workforce pressures, food insecurity, transportation shortcomings, childcare deficits and deferred health maintenance are some effects that immediately come to mind.

— Measurable steps toward a permanent solution to our water supply issue.

— The 2025 budget will be a challenge. Taxes, fees, programs, revenues, needs, planning, etc., will require close examination, evaluation, and prioritization.

If elected, what do you hope to accomplish by the end of your first term?

— “We,” not I, will have a road map for resolving the water dilemma, including a funding budget and timeline. Long-term development, property values, business planning, revenue structure, etc. are compromised by this uncertainty.

— “We,” not I, will have identified land and initiated a process for zoning, platting and preliminary design for residential development that allows smaller lot sizes for single-story starter homes and/or manufactured home installations.

— “We,” not I, will have forged stronger two-way dialogues with taxpayers, businesses, and overlooked/underserved populations, using creative social media approaches; a bolstered public input process at government hearings/meetings; and greater outreach to community organizations and neighborhood associations.

Sandra Kelly

Why did you decide to run for office?

Four years ago, I decided to run for City Council because I wanted to take a bigger step into community service. At that time (2019), I had been with Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute (PCEI) for four years, had immersed myself into the nonprofit world, and wanted more. At the time I was a member of the City of Moscow Historic Preservation Commission, the City Human Rights Commission, President of the board for the 1912 Center, Heart of the Arts, an active leader in the League of Women Voters, on the board of the Humane Society of the Palouse, the film committee chairperson for the Kenworthy, a docent and volunteer with the Latah County Historical Society, and on the leadership team for the Alternative Giving Market of the Palouse (AGMP). I may be leaving things out, but you can see, it’s a lengthy list. I was also active on the Moscow Nonprofit Roundtable group, which all allowed me to be very active within the Moscow community. The next natural step, at least to me, was the run for City Council.

I was fortunate to be elected, and my reasons for wanting to continue to serve are much the same.

I am still very active in the community. I left PCEI and went to work at Washington State University for the Center for Civic Engagement where I was the community programs coordinator and I helped create the Cougar Food Pantry. I worked there for two years, and when a similar position at the University of Idaho emerged, I jumped at the chance to work for the best land-grant university in the world. I am now the coordinator for the volunteer and civic action programs at the University of Idaho and I run the Vandal Food Pantry.

I continue to serve in many capacities in Moscow. In addition to being a liaison for several city commissions, I am on the Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee, on the board of directors for Inland Oasis, on the board for the Latah County Human Rights Task Force (though due to some scheduling conflicts, I may have to take on a nonvoting status there), I continue to serve on the AGMP leadership team, I am still a member of the League of Women Voters, and I am on the board of directors for the Latah County Historical Society. I served as President of the Council and as chairperson of the Public Works and Finance committee.

I have the capacity, knowledge and desire to serve, and that is why I want to continue serving as a city councilor.

What unique qualities would you bring to the table as a city councilor?

As mentioned before, I have served in various leadership and board positions, and I have a 20+ year career as a journalist. These experiences have allowed me to not only hone my listening skills, but I know how to work with, and listen to, and help a variety of people. I am not afraid of hard work and long hours, and my only goal is to help our community members and to help our beautiful, eclectic city grow and prosper.

What are the most pressing issues Moscow needs to address?

We certainly are struggling with affordable housing. This is not a unique problem in our state, or even in our country, but it is a real and growing problem.

Water is an issue, and while PBAC is celebrating its 20th year as an organization and has worked diligently to come up with long-term solutions to our shrinking aquifer, we must continue to seek alternatives to water conservation, and for that matter, to climate issues other than water. I think there are workable water plans that we can build on, but we must continue to focus on water and be able to move forward, but also pivot, if need be.

In terms of climate change, the city has been working with a focus for years on building a workable and robust climate action plan, and we are committed to battling climate change. I am proud of the work our climate team has put in and I value their insights and suggestions.

Always at issue is making sure we have the city resources to help our citizens. We have a comprehensive plan that we continue to update and implement, and we must continue to work within our means to make sure we have the structures, equipment and facilities to help our city and our citizens have a safe and healthy place to call home.

If elected, what do you hope to accomplish by the end of your next term?

This is an awkward question. I don’t have an agenda that states, “if elected I will …” and then have a list of things I want to implement and accomplish. The simple answer is I hope that by the end of my next term the city is continuing to maintain its streets, sewers, growth and management within budget, and in such a way people are happy and thriving in our town. I will work tirelessly to make this happen.

Naturally, to do this we must make sure the city is living within its means. We must make sure our growth is reasonable yet meeting the demands of people. I hope that in four years we have made a recognizable dent regarding affordable housing, and that people are not as stressed about housing. However, much of that depends on the Idaho Legislature, too. I hope that we are making strides in water conservation and carbon emissions, and I hope our downtown is thriving and diverse.

Nathan Tupper

The Moscow-Pullman Daily News sent all of them a questionnaire to let them share details about themselves and their perspectives on the future of Moscow. Tupper did not reply.

Kuipers can be reached at akuipers@dnews.com.