Candidate Profile: Paula Bell, incumbent for Lind Town Council

Paula Bell looks to continue the work she started when appointed to the Lind Town Council in 2008.

A resident of Lind since 1976, Bell is a veteran member of the Lind School District staff as the business education instructor at the Lind Junior/Senior High School.

She is a 1972 Pasco High School graduate and holds an AA degree from Columbia Basin College and Bachelors degree from Central Washington University.

Bell, and her husband, Jeff, have two children.

Among her civic involvement, Bell volunteers as a photographer when Santa Claus comes to town every December as part of a Lind Chamber of Commerce event.

The following is her candidate statement:

“In 1976, I started teaching at Lind High School and have been a Lind resident ever since. I am proud to promote the Town of Lind, its schools and community whenever and wherever I can.

“In May of 2008, I was appointed to the town council. The voters of Lind elected me to Position No. 4 in 2009.

“I feel one of the challenges of this position is the responsibility to research and ask questions of all aspects of any project as matters are discussed.

“A thorough discussion is imperative for council members to make informative decisions. The learning process of what makes a town’s infrastructure run smoothly and efficiently started for me three years ago. As we all know, learning never stops.

“I am confident that my dedication to the learning of the community’s needs will be foremost as Lind enters into the beginning phase of the sewer treatment plant upgrade. I believe that the citizens of Lind deserve to have their town be upgraded, as needed; while being cost-effective with any project. Our future needs to be our shared focus.

“I am committed to Lind and would appreciate your vote for my continued service to the community of Lind as Council Position No. 4.”

Why did you decide to seek public office in the first place in 2008?

“The town and its residents have supported all of the projects and activities that I have been involved with at Lind High School through the years and I felt, and still feel, that I should give service and support back to the community.”

What do you see as Lind’s future?

“I believe that Lind’s future is like its past – a good, clean and safe community to live in and raise families.”

If you had the ability to change Lind’s future, what would you do?

“Support whatever businesses that would benefit our community.”

What is the most challenging issue, as a council member, do you feel is facing the town?

“The most challenging issue that I feel that is facing the town is keeping the user rates down and still being able to operate the town.”

The loss of the bank and other businesses over the years are difficult for a small town to recover from. Does Lind need new business?

“Absolutely!”

If the answer is yes, what will you do as a council member to help make that happen?

“The town can support businesses by continuing with upgrading the underground utilities and the maintenance of the streets.”

What is the town council’s biggest accomplishments since you have been part of the team?

“The Town of Lind is in the process of building a new sewer treatment plant, replacing the current facility that was built in the early 1950s. The proposed plan is to start in 2012. We have 90 percent monies coming from grants and 10 percent from a loan.”

What are the biggest disappointments?

“None.”

What do you see as the roadblocks for Lind in the future?

“Roadblocks for Lind that I see might be a small population and decreasing availability of funds from the state and federal government. Also with less businesses, our sales tax receipts would continue to decline.”

What goals do you have as a council member that you will work to accomplish if re-elected?

“I will continue to maintain a cost-effective approach with taxpayer’s money.”