Whisman, Barden vying for position of mayor

Robert Whisman and Larry Barden are running for mayor of Deer Park with the retirement of two-term mayor Michael Wolfe.

Whisman, 45, has lived in Deer Park since he was 2 years old. He attended public schools there and has worked for the Deer Park School District for 24 years, currently as a bus driver. He also owns several businesses in town. He has also been a City Council member for 15 years and served on the planning committee for two years.

“I see the mayor’s seat as a natural progression from the City Council. I figure I have as much experience as anyone in town in city affairs,” said Whisman.

The biggest challenge facing the new mayor will be continued growth, said Whisman. “I’m in favor of growth, but controlling and guiding the growth in a way that’s best for the city. I’m deeply rooted in Deer Park and care a lot about the city.”

Barden said he doesn’t give interviews to the press.

City Council incumbent Lucy Harmon is being challenged by Ella Harper for Position 3.

Harper received 54 percent of the vote (226) in the Sept. 20 primary, while Harmon had 23 percent of the vote, (95) winning by one vote over Mary Gray in the county’s closest election.

Harper, 58, has lived in Deer Park most of her life. She has worked as a service administrator for TSI for the past 13 years and prior to that, an administrator for a heavy-equipment company.

She represents the city of Deer Park on the Spokane County Housing and Community Development Program, but this is the first time she’s run for political office.

If elected, Harper would like to address land-use issues, city revenues, street improvement and park and recreation development. “We need to do our research and make sure we have all our ducks in a row before we make changes that affect the community,” said Harper.

Incumbent Lucy Harmon said she expects a better turnout for the Nov. 8 election.

She has lived in Deer Park for seven years and has served on the council since 2001.

Harmon, 72, is retired. She worked for Key Tronic Corp. in Spokane Valley for 18 years and later as a clerk at Jones Pharmacy in Deer Park. She is currently the Ladies Auxiliary president for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3067.

If re-elected, Harmon wants to continue with the progress Deer Park has made recently and work to attract new businesses.

“I try to be open to what the people of the city want,” said Harmon.

Helen (Dee) Cragun is running unopposed for council Position 1.

Deer Park has a nonpartisan mayor-City Council form of government that meets twice a month. The mayor receives $1,000 a month and council members receive $200 a month as compensation.