Love Each Person: Candidate Forum at League of Women Voters

“My goal is to love each person,” James Urquidez said Wednesday night at the Candidate Forum hosted by Moscow League of Women Voters. Urquidez continued, “I believe each person is of value and that we should love and have concern for each individual person in our community.”

Wednesday night’s candidate forum was one of several that the candidates have participated in over the last couple of months. This forum took place at the 1912 center. The moderator for the night was Richard Seamon, a University of Idaho College of Law professor. He welcomed the candidates and explained the format. Each of the six candidate would give an introduction and then there would be a series of written questions that Seamon would read and each candidate would have time to give an answer.

At the end of Seamon’s welcome, the lights in the room momentarily went off when one person accidentally leaned against the light switch. The audience members genially laughed at the awkward darkness but the lights were quickly turned back on and the evening proceeded.  

During the time for candidate introductions, each took a moment to say something about their background. 

Brandon Mitchell introduced himself saying, “I grew up in a broken home…I lived in a poverty stricken home…when I graduated from highschool I went out and got a job and I learned hard work.”

James Urquidez introduced himself and his family. He got several laughs when he mentioned his family’s tortoise, Romea Tequila. Urquidez then explained that his goal is to love each person.

Anne Zabala introduced herself mentioning that she works for a non-profit called Backyard Harvest.

The second question of the night for all candidates asked, “Moscow has an ordinance on the books protecting the rights of the LGBTQ community, do you support that law?”

Kelsey Berends responded saying that she is hesitant to make a list of people not to discriminate against. She explained that she has this position because a list is finite and it misses the point. She added, “Every single person in this community is valuable and is worthy of respect.”

Sandra Kelly answered passionately saying, “Yes. Absolutely. Yes, special protections need to be in place.” Kelly explained with great emotion that it breaks her heart that the city has to have these laws in place. There were several people in the audience who responded with clapping at the end of her answer. The moderator reminded the audience to hold the applause until the end of the night.

Urquidez responded saying, “I wish someone had spoken that passionately when my signs got painted for my religious affiliation and my political beliefs.” He then added: “I don’t agree with the lifestyle because of my religious belief but it doesn’t mean that I can’t love people. The Bible teaches me to love my friends and it teaches me to love my enemies and everybody in between and I don’t consider the LGBTQ community my enemy. I don’t.”

Another question for the candidates asked, “Do you believe that property taxes in Moscow are too high? And if so, what steps would you take to see them lowered or rate of increase diminished?”

Berends responded saying, “Yes, they are too high.” Then she asked the audience, “Do any of you want your taxes to go up further?” Some people in the audience responded with a strong “yes.” One person said: “Yes, if I get some.”

A later question to the candidates asked, “Do you consider building a new public High School to be a business-friendly measure?”

Maureen Lauflin responded saying that people should care about the highschool facility. She said there are fabulous teachers who need really solid facilities also. She concluded her answer saying, “I am sorry that there is not space downtown I would love the highschool to be downtown.”

Another question asked, “What role do you think the city council plays in addressing the issue of food insecurity in Moscow?”

Urquidez suggested several educational methods to help people learn how to use money wisely and to coach them on how to get better paying jobs. He concluded by saying, “I think each citizen just needs to be generous. I think we just need to give and give until it hurts and then give a little bit more.”

Mitchell, in his answer, said, “I think it is important to remember that charity starts from the heart. Charity starts from the people.”

One of the last questions of the night asked, “A recent council vote ended further growth of colleges downtown. What about churches? Should an unlimited number of churches be allowed to take over downtown buildings?”

Berends said that she has concern about the question’s approach. She continued, “We want to make sure we are not a town that is discriminating based on religion. That is something that we are fundamentally opposed to as US citizens. We believe that that is part of what makes up the fabric of America.”

When it was her turn, Laflin said, “There’s lots of places where there are churches, we don’t need them downtown. What we need downtown is to be a gathering place. A place to do small businesses and have small eateries.”

The Moscow City Council election is Tuesday, November 5. There are three open seats and there are six candidates running.