Van Orman, Peterson launch mayoral campaigns

Two familiar faces have started down the campaign trail for mayor in Liberty Lake.

Both the incumbent, Mayor Steve Peterson, and Councilwoman Wendy Van Orman have held public office in the young city since its beginnings, and both see big things in the years to come.

“What’s happened in the past is prologue for the future,” Peterson said.

Talking proudly of the city’s parks, growing police force and a library that now boasts 3,000 card holders, Peterson has a list just as long of projects in the works, from a new freeway interchange to plans for a more urban center for Liberty Lake.

“I’m a project guy,” he said. “I’m not much of a meeting guy, but I like projects.”

The credit for many of the city’s accomplishments can be shared between the two candidates as well as the other members of the City Council.

So far, Councilman Patrick Jenkins, Councilwoman Judi Owens and Councilman David Crump also have expressed their intentions to run again.

Van Orman’s mayoral run will open a council seat as she seeks a more prominent role in city leadership.

“Now that I’ve got a little bit of knowledge behind me, I’d like to run for mayor,” she said.

Van Orman moved to Liberty Lake in 1994 has been a steadfast volunteer in the community ever since.

Operations of the fledgling municipality took place in her basement before there was a city hall. She was active in the efforts to incorporate the city, and before that she helped bring a SCOPE station to Liberty Lake, revived a community Easter egg hunt and is now a coordinator for the roughly 500 McGruff Houses in Spokane County.

“I’m an avid volunteer. I think most people know that I wear several hats, so I know the community,” she said.

If that community places her at the helm of its strong-mayor government, Van Orman said one of her priorities would be preserving open space in the city’s outlying areas before they are developed.

“Once it’s gone, it’s gone,” she said.

Van Orman, an office manager at Quality Hardwood Floors, is married with three children.

Peterson works as a sales representative for Aventis pharmaceuticals. He is married, has three children and has lived in the community since 1998.

When asked why people should vote for him, Peterson points to six years of experience he brings to position.

His leadership has produced proven outcomes, Peterson said, and he’s constantly searching for new ideas and ways to get people involved.

Van Orman also points to her experience, both at the dais and in many positions as a volunteer.

“I speak softly but get the job done,” she said.