A current Union Gap City Council member and a former council member are seeking election to the Position 6 seat in the Nov. 7 general election.
Incumbent Julie Schilling, who is retired, is being challenged by former city council member Dave Matson, owner and operator of Deb’s Mobile Home Transfer in Union Gap. Matson served on the council in Position 5 for 12 years through 2019.
Nick Gutierrez IV also ran in the primary election but received fewer votes than Matson or Schilling.
Two other Union Gap City Council seats are on the ballot. Position 5 is sought by library manager Georgia Reitmire and former city council member and mayor Jim Lemon; incumbent David Hansen is not seeking re-election. Position 4 incumbent Jack Galloway is unopposed.
Union Gap City Council members and its mayor are paid $600 monthly.
Union Gap’s role as a retail center for the Yakima Valley and Central Washington and its proximity to Interstate 82 have created some unique challenges. The population estimate for the city in July 2022 was 6,492, but many more people head to and pass through the city every day to visit or work at the Valley Mall, industrial operations and agricultural businesses. That all means more wear and tear on streets and roads through the city.
And as with many other cities and towns in Central Washington and throughout the state, there’s also a growing need for more housing, especially affordable housing.
The Yakima Herald-Republic asked the candidates three questions. Their responses are below in alphabetical order.
How does the city of Union Gap best balance commercial, industrial and residential growth?
Matson: The planning commission does a good job of promoting residential growth whenever they can. There are a lot of plans in the future for residential growth. The residential needs are changing to more condensed and less maintenance….
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