Schmit, Elliott compete for council seat

The Nov. 5 general election ballot pits incumbent Joe Schmit against challenger Tyler “Mad Dog” Elliott for a four-year term as member No. 6 on the Shelton City Council.

Schmit, the technical service and operations officer for construction for the state Department of Transportation, was elected in 2018. He is the MACECOM 911 dispatch centerboard chairman, vice chair for the Mason County Economic Development Council, a member of the grants committee for the Community Foundation, and an advisory board member for the Shelton YMCA.

Elliott’s family has resided in Mason County for five generations. He has been a musician, business manager, hydroplane racer and now manages the Treasures Thrift Store in downtown Shelton.

The Shelton-Mason County Journal sent six questions to the two candidates.

ELLIOTT

1) What are the biggest challenges facing the city?

Construction costs are at an all-time high, taxes are mind boggling, the water, power, sewer, and garbage costs have gone out of control. As I scan the horizon the cost of doing business is not going down any time soon unless the council sees real change. This is a sobering moment but it is important to remember that it is only just that: a moment. At this moment our streets are less safe than they have ever been, and just the other day in downtown Shelton my tools were stolen right out of my pickup bed in broad daylight. Consider the human waste is in the alleyways and the police chief stance that there is nothing that can be done about it. It's not the chief's fault, rather it seems this is what our state government insists is our new lot in life. Our very own great-reset. I say no. We can do better. This is only a moment, we will find a way, and our great community still has many reasons for hope.

2) How will the city entice new businesses and residents?

As each day more and more folk discover Mason County and our city of Shelton to be a safe haven from the corporatized, urban sprawl that has blighted much of the Pacific Northwest, the demand for housing increases. Given the ever plummeting quality of life in the larger cities of Olympia, Tacoma, Seattle, and their suburbs; the exorbitant cost of construction brought on by the various blue-state and federal lockdowns is a terrible sort of blessing that keeps Shelton from growing faster than it can accommodate in the short-term. We certainly do not need a 4th Starbucks or 13th corporate fast food chain (at least for the time being) but our cultural growth in the arts, music, and the trades over the last few years is certain to entice new home and business construction sooner than later. I hope to make certain we are ready for that growth and to continue emphasizing the growth of our festivals, musical community, our artist community, and that of those in the trades.

3) What is the city’s role in addressing the challenges of the pandemic?

The role of the city is to facilitate commerce, maintain and expand upon infrastructure as necessary, and to bring as little unnecessary strain to people and business as possible. Ideally I hope to work with the council towards a reduction of fees and taxes with a goal of easing the already monumental burden experienced by our families and business.

4) What does Shelton need?

Shelton is a city and, as such, it needs what any city needs: a distinctive culture, safe streets, and ways for its community to strengthen its bonds. As a man who has worked in the music world to organize events and festivals for decades I know just how important community events are to making a cold, concrete slab into a place you can be proud to call home. I hope to be able to help bring street dances, live music events, and vendors to the Shelton downtown at a frequency the town has never before experienced. It's a long overdue time for our renaissance.

5) What strengths would you bring to the council?

For five generations my family has lived, worked, and helped to build both business and culture in Shelton as well as greater Mason County; so I know this region and its people in a way that no progressive New York transplant ever could. I have managed several businesses and worked in the private sector for my life's entirety. I know the actual value of a dollar and I know the actual value of an unspoiled place like the one which we are so lucky as to share. You will not see me clear-cutting protected lands to install fields of mobile homes, nor will I encourage development that would shatter the rural, working class character of the town and I will fight to keep the homeless-industrial complex and socialized housing developments from digging in so deeply that we become yet another blighted, unlivable tragedy like so many other Washington cities have become. We shall not go quietly into the night.

6) Who is a local, state or national political person you admire, and why?

I've always admired Dr. Ron Paul and he is one of the many fine statesmen who I have "written in" on my Presidential election ballot over the years. Like myself he found the Democrats and Republicans to be two sides of the same coin . . . if only that coin were a boot designed to keep the people overworked, overtaxed, and oppressed. Too often those in office seem to craft their governing philosophy based upon not doing what the other team is doing rather than just looking at problems and finding the solutions. When they do that the government itself becomes the problem. Like Dr. Paul, I hope to see less government overreach, less taxes and maximum freedom.

SCHMIT

1) What are the biggest challenges facing the city?

One of the biggest challenges facing the city is a lack of affordable housing. This single issue is the root cause of many concerns that have been brought forward over the last few years. If people can't afford suitable housing, other life choices hang in the balance. Nearly 45% of our city residents are one significant event away from needing to make difficult decisions such as paying utility bills, car payments, or even putting food on the table. These decisions have a compounding effect on public health, personal stability and economic development. It’s incumbent on the city to ensure long-term decision-making and policy development takes this issue into account, and subsequent solutions are oriented around solving this crisis.

2) How will the city entice new businesses and residents?

I firmly believe that to recruit new businesses and residents, we need to focus on what matters most in Shelton. Over the last three years, I have learned from community members that public safety, fair and efficient business processes, and preserving and improving outdoor spaces and recreational activities are paramount.

3) What is the City's role in addressing the challenges of the pandemic?

The City's role is to ensure that our local public health officials and responders are supported and operate without roadblocks or impacts. As electeds, we must listen to experts and let their collective consensus guide policy and decision-making.

4) What does Shelton need?

Shelton needs to focus on root causes and long-term solutions. As council members, we need to spend the time to truly understand issues before we can move towards action or advocacy. This requires a lot of compassion and a willingness to listen and ultimately apply knowledge gained, regardless of personal feelings or opinions.

5) What strengths would you bring to the council?

I am a proven leader with a lot of compassion. I have a diverse background and have been serving the public for nearly 20 years. I have recently been awarded the "Top 40 under 40" award from South Sound Business Journal. I currently serve as the chair of the Mason County Emergency Communications Center 911 governance board, the vice-chair of the Mason County Economic Development Council, and treasurer of the Shelton Family YMCA Advisory Board.

6) Who is a local, state or national political person you admire, and why?

While a specific person doesn't come to mind, there are two organizations in Shelton that truly define what community means. I am incredibly proud of Elevate Mason County and the Shelton Youth Connection. Their work to support those who don't always have a voice or seat at the table is incredible. They are examples that we all should follow. We all have something to give, no matter how big or small.