Young, Asplund debate vision for future

Council candidates emphasize lean city government

Nate Hulings

of the Gateway

A longstanding voice on the Gig Harbor City Council and a political newcomer debated last Thursday during a public affairs forum at Cottesmore of Life Care in Gig Harbor.

With the general election coming Nov. 3, Gig Harbor City Council Position 3 candidates Derek Young, the incumbent, and challenger Ken Asplund spent an hour explaning why they deserve the seat. The Gig Harbor Peninsula Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored the debate.

The contest matches candidates who are polar opposites in terms of experience with city government.

Young, who is seeking his fourth term on the city council, detailed his governmental affairs and business background. He also peppered his responses with city programs and projects he’s advocated for the past 12 years.

When he began his tenure on the council, Young said Gig Harbor thought of itself as an island. He added that, since he helped initiate a legislative affairs program, the city has been able to secure $50 million in state and federal funds for local projects.

Asplund, who has no previous experience in city government but was born and raised in Gig Harbor, highlighted his personal history and concern for the character of the city. A new face on the city council is needed, he said.

“I’ll give a fresh perspective,” Asplund said. “It’s time for a change.”

Young’s reason for running for another term came down to not wanting to leave the city’s finances in such dire straits.

“It’s really about the economy,” he said.

Both opened with nearly echoing statements that pointed toward the need for a leaner city government.

“The money our council spends is your money,” said Asplund, who added that accountability and continuing to encourage growth is vital to the city’s health.

Young said the city must budget conservatively. He agreed with Asplund that the city must continue to operate “lean and mean,” even after the economy turns.

“The reality is, that we are in a new normal,” Young said. “Get used to hearing, ‘No.’ ”

Young added that many vital services and projects already have been cut.

Multiple questions presented from audience members were focused on Gig Harbor bay, which is currently split and controlled in part by the city and Pierce County. One audience member asked the candidates if annexation would be considered.

Asplund said he would be in favor of annexation of the east bay, giving total control to the city.

Although Young said he was open to the idea, he called the issue more complicated than just annexation. He said some properties on the bay have large infrastructure issues that the city can’t currently absorb.

Similar to a City Council candidate debate between Tim Payne and Mark Hoppen on Oct. 15, last week’s candidates also were asked about the potential for a fuel dock.

Young said it’s not fiscally reasonable to directly subsidize such a dock in the harbor.

“We simply don’t have the funds,” he said.

His response was similar to a question raised about a maritime pier. Partnerships with the Port of Tacoma or other conjunctive efforts would be the best route, he said.

Asplund said he would like to see the city waive permitting fees if it meant creating a fuel dock.

“It’s a shame the harbor doesn’t have any fuel,” he said.

Both candidates also voiced their disdain for the idea of installing red light cameras at busy interchanges and intersections.

When asked to detail two major issues facing the city, Young answered land use and the Burham-Borgen-state Route 16 interchange. Asplund said appropriate development and individual project scrutiny in the downtown view basin were his biggest concerns.

The candidates both summed up why they should be elected to serve on the council — sustaining the old versus new narrative.

Council affairs are “something I work my hardest at,” Young said.

And although Asplund admitted Young provided more detailed answers during the debate, he ended his remarks by standing on the foundation of his family’s history in the harbor.

“I’d serve the community well,” he said.

City races

Here’s a list of candidates who are running for positions in the City of Gig Harbor. Incumbents denoted with (I).

City Council Position 1: Tim Payne (I) and Mark Hoppen

City Council Position 3: Derek Young (I) and Ken Asplund

City Council Position 2: Steve Ekberg (unopposed)

City Council Position 7: Paul Kadzik (unopposed)

Mayor: Chuck Hunter (unopposed)