Candidates for Sumner’s mayoral position and city council positions participated in a forum at the Puyallup/Sumner Chamber of Commerce’s regular luncheon.

Present from Sumner were incumbent Mayor Dave Enslow and challenger Councilmember Matthew Richardson; Councilmember Steve Allsop, who is running unopposed in council position No. 3; Councilmember Ed Hannus and his challenger Stuart Scheuerman who are vying for position No. 1. Councilmember Randy Hynek, who is running unopposed for council position No. 2, was not present.

The format consisted of a three-minute opening statement from the candidates, followed by questions from the audience.

Opening statements from Enslow and Richardson emphasized what is a point of contention between the two regarding whose background best qualifies them to be mayor of Sumner for the next four years.

Enslow said the mayor is the CEO of the town and his business background provides the necessary skills.

“I think it really requires a very strong management background,” he said.

He said during his time as mayor the property taxes in Sumner remained the lowest in Pierce County and the city’s budget remains balanced.

“We have a city that remains within its means,” he said.

Richardson countered by saying Enslow’s professional background is not sufficient in regard to the political arena. He said while Enslow’s background is in finance the mayor had no government sector experience until being elected to the city council. Richardson he’s held positions in different levels of government, including his position of vice chair on the Pierce County Regional Council.

During the question period transportation and parking were topics of discussion and candidates varied in their opinions.

Scheuerman said he supports the possibility of a parking garage in Sumner, while Richardson said the garage concept is flawed because according to a report from Sound Transit, the demand for spaces would equal the number provided at the garage by the time it opened. Enslow said he wants to hold a community discussion on the topic of parking, in order to entertain different options.

For the complete story, see the Oct. 14 edition of The Bonney Lake/Sumner Courier-Herald.