Small Town News

McKeehan and Warren square off in Cheney

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City Council Position 3 race features long time area residents

Kathleen Warren is challenging longtime incumbent Mike McKeehan for Position 3 on the Cheney City Council.

Warren said she wants to bring more social services and businesses to Cheney.

"A lot of the things Spokane has, Cheney could have," She said.

Warren, who garnered about 20 percent of the primary vote, has lived in either Cheney or Spokane for the last 30 years, she said.

Because she went to school and raised her daughter here, she said, "I have a heart for Cheney."

Warren has Worked on several political campaigns, and she said that when she heard about a on the Cheney council she decided to launch her own.

"I do have a government background, I've been involved in the community for almost a lifetime now," she said. "I'm not running for self-interest reasons."

Warren said that if she were elected she would work on "finding ways for city government to really communicate with each of the departments and to the citizens. Not only the residents, but also the students."

She also said, "I think the city has too many things on their plate right now," and she would work to prioritize projects and follow through on promises. -. While Warren is touting her vision of the city's future, Mike McKeehan is running on his record in city government.

"I've shown that I care about Cheney," he said. "I have a lifelong dedication to the city."

After moving here as a child, McKeehan taught in local schools for 30 years. the was a member of the planning commission before he was elected to City Council in 1997.

"I've seen a lot of changes over that time," he said, noting that

Cheney had a population of just 3,000 when he came here in 1957. "I'm glad we've grown."

McKeehan said he was proud of his work in city government over the years. He worked to develop the road and sidewalk re-paving program, helped develop the bond issue that reinstated the Parks and Recreation Department and organized the fraternity row for EWU while on the planning commission.

He identifies himself as fiscally conservative, and said that has helped the city in the long run.

"We're in good shape financially when others around are struggling," he said.

There are several issues McKeehan said he wants to tackle if reelected. He said the comprehensive plan, titled "Choices for Cheney," needs to address zoning, particularly the balance between single-family homes and apartments.

"It's something as a city that we need to stop and think about," he said.

McKeehan said he wants to contribute to the success of the Industrial and Commerce Park, which he said was a big part of the future of Cheney. If reelected, he said he would work to obtain grants to install fiber optic cable for businesses in the industrial park.

McKeehan said the current council has a good working relationship and that he hopes to continue his work for the city.

Becky Thomas can be reached at becky@cheneyfreepress.com



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© 2009 Cheney Free Press Cheney, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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