Crowded Peshastin resident turn out at Community Council election

The last few months have been chock full of sincere pleas from fellow citizens to vote along with email inboxes being plagued with politicians last ditch effort to have voters plug them in for their pick.
    Election Day was on Tuesday, November 6 if somehow one missed the commercials, signs and reminders to vote. However, another vote occurred two days later on Thursday, November 8 at 7 p.m. for a smaller scale, albeit important, election. The Peshastin Community Council held an election for two open positions on their council at Peshastin Memorial Hall at the regularly scheduled monthly meeting.
    "We're the primary communication link for the community and any organization or agency who have a say over what happens in Peshastin," said Peshastin Community Council chairman, Steve Keene.
    This particular entity consists of seven individuals that's main purpose is to be a source of communication between the Peshastin community and outside agencies from Wenatchee, Chelan County and even the State of Washington. In short, they serve as representation for solely the Peshastin area and the residents that inhabit it. The group put together the Urban Growth Area plan back in 2008 and have plans to update that within the year. Assorted events in the Peshastin area such as the Ice Cream Social in July, the Peshastin Pancake Breakfast with Santa and the Earth Day clean up project are sponsored by the community council.
    "We have monthly meetings and help plan events, discuss ideas and how to improve then present those to related agencies," said Keene. "(We) get people involved in the community and help grow and develop the area," said Keene.
    There were four candidates that volleyed for a chance to be a voice that echoed the needs of those within the Peshastin limits. Doug Clarke and Tricia Ortiz are the two members up for re-elction and both have deep roots within the Peshastin community. Clarke's family were early settlers here and Ortiz grew up in Peshastin. Craig and Reava Davis are spouses who recently moved here, but have two vacation homes and a second home in Peshastin, that were hopeful to get knee deep in the local politics. R. Davis clarified to the crowds that while they both still work in Seattle, they are in Peshastin more days out of the week than elsewhere and consider it their home.
    This vote didn't occur in the form of a mail in ballot and primarily applied to those within the Peshastin area. These candidates also didn't have a partisan attachment, linked to any political party or have a connection with the general election ballots. The only qualification for voters was being over 18 years of age and in attendance at the meeting.
    "It's not an official government agency so we're not on  the city ballot, like the City of Leavenworth. You have to be at the meeting to vote so it's important for people to come out and voice what they want." said Keene.
    Thursday evening produced over 100 lively Peshastin residents, filing in with murmurs of anticipation. Each candidate had a two minute window to pitch their spiel and then a three minute time slot for residents to ask questions.
    Several residents raised general questions for the candidates, such as whether they all had phone numbers accessible by landlines that wouldn't cost long distance or the possibility of walking and biking trail through the orchards. Other residents posed more pointed questions, in particular directed at the spouse pair. One asked why its appropriate for a married couple on the board and another resident asked for the duo to share some background information since most of the community didn't know much about the candidates prior.
    "Why are both of us running? Because there are two positions open and frankly, I'm thrilled to see all of you guys here because usually it's just my husband and I," said Reava Davis. "And if nothing else comes of this evening, the fact that you all came out for Peshastin because you all have a voice. And from what we've seen over the years these are the only people (referencing the Community Council) that have shared a voice on the decisions that are being made year after year."
    Questions regarding inconvenient 9 a.m. meeting times for those who work, taxes for Peshastin residents versus Leavenworth residents and other various community questions also surfaced during the meeting.
    All in all, the Peshastin Memorial Hall was vibrant with resident participation and conversation. Clarke was re-elected with 102 votes and Ortiz won with 106 votes, both winning by a landslide, according to Keene.