Candidates vie for seat on Medical Lake council

The only contested race for City Council in Medical Lake has a 12-year council veteran running against a newcomer who wants to help the community for Position 6.

Sam Julagay, 73, said he very nearly retired after three terms on the council but decided to run again at the urging of Mayor John Higgins because of a number of issues that remain unresolved, including the need for a reliable water supply.

Julagay and his wife, Ingrid, have three grown children.

John Paikuli, 37, runs his own business – Paikuli & Associates insurance in Medical Lake – and has been coaching between five and six youth wrestling and Little League baseball teams. He is a graduate of Medical Lake High School, having moved to the town when his father was in the Air Force.

Paikuli and his wife, Elisa, have four children.

“I really like the town and want to pitch in to help out,” Paikuli said.

Paikuli has opposed a proposal for low-income housing in Medical Lake because it would reduce land available for commercial development, and there is unfinished work, including a need for a more reliable water source.

He said he doesn’t have any specific criticism of Julagay, but he has no praise for him, either.

Julagay said the city needs to come up with a solution to its inadequate water supply being caused by pumping from the aquifer serving Medical Lake, Airway Heights and Four Lakes. The recharge isn’t sufficient to keep up with demand, although conservation efforts are helping, he said.

As a result, Medical Lake has put a moratorium on new housing plats.

In addition, the city needs to consider additional police and possibly a new fire station and fire staffing for the north side of the city, he said, adding that street repair is another issue.

Julagay came to Medical Lake in 1979 during his service in the Air Force and retired from the military in 1985 after 32 years. He also served in the Navy.

He then earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in social work from Eastern Washington University.

In two other races, Howard Jorgenson in council Position 5 and Arthur F. Kulibert in council Position 7 are running unopposed.