It was standing room only at the Library sponsored forum last Thursday in Granite Falls.
The heated mayoral race brought a profusion of people gathering in the common room of the Granite Falls Library.

Candidates were stacked two deep at the front of the room and were asked questions that were written by attendees.

School Board candidates in attendance included Rick Short who has served on the Granite Falls School Board for the past 15 years.

Short focused on his past service on the board as well as his involvement in 4-H, the Junior Athletic Association and the performing arts.

Short is running against Andrew (Drew) Mow who has been heavily involved in youth soccer. Paying back his community is the reason he gave for wanting to be a part of the Granite Falls School Board.

Rebecca Long is also running for a school board position. Long was a Library Manager for over 20 years.
Three of the candidates running for City Council were at the tables, answering questions.
Joshua Golston is running against John Smith in Council position 1.

Golston wants to see Granite Falls become more business friendly. Forward thinking and planning are key to attracting businesses. What Golston doesn’t want to see is more fast-food restaurants or grocery stores.
Smith was not in attendence.

Incumbent Elizabeth Adams  is running against Wes Griggs for position 2 on the city council.
Adams is a school bus driver in the Lake Stevens School District.

She believes in strategic planning and working with the local Chamber of Commerce to make Granite Falls a business-friendly community. She was instrumental in re-writing the sign ordinance within the city.
Griggs was not at the meeting, however, he did respond to the Journal’s questions in the Oct. 14 issue.
Tom Fitzgerald, a Little League coach, is running unopposed for position 3.

Fitzgerald would like to see a Boys & Girls built within the community and is hopeful that the new alternate route will bring growth to Granite Falls.

Both mayoral candidates were on-hand to answer questions also. 
Mayor Romack thanked the community for the opportunity he has had to serve as Mayor for the last six years. He also explained the “lake” coming into the city was actually an award-winning retention pond. He also applauded the Chamber of Commerce.

After introducing his family, Saleem Haroon promised a honest and transparent government and that, if elected, he will always have an open-door policy.

Haroon would also like to see public transportation for senior citizens and less rules and ordinances.
Both county council candidates representing Granite Falls, incumbent John Koster and Ellen Hiatt-Watson, were also in attendance.

Superior Court Judge position 2 nominees Rico Tessandore, Scott Peterson and David Hulbert also attended the forum.

Candidates Joe Wilson and Scott Lord were unable to attend.

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