Pullman Mayoral Election

Francis Benjamin

Age: 61

Hometown: Lewiston, Idaho

Employment/Business/Other Experience: Pullman City Council from 2003 to 2015 and from 2022 to 2023. Former president of the Association of Washington Cities. 35-plus years at Washington State University, managing IT, teaching real estate, mentoring entrepreneurs, and researching political civility.

Education: Electrical Engineering, Psychology, Theology, and Political Science degrees at WSU, University of Idaho, and CMT.

Community Service: Chamber, Pullman Community Council on Aging, Town Gown, and Kiwanis.

The following questions were were answered by candidates in 100 words or less. We do not edit the answers, other than to enforce the word limit.

Question 1: What is the biggest issue facing the city of Pullman, and what measures would you implement to address it?

Housing affordability: I will work to increase single family housing, streamline housing construction processes, and provide opportunities for smaller homes for first-time owners and downsizing seniors.

Question 2: With enrollment declining at Washington State University and current fiscal concerns, how would you help businesses?

I will continue what I am doing through my leadership on the Chamber, Downtown Pullman Association, Cougar Solutions, and Pullman 2040 where I am working to complete the Downtown Project, increase business support and vitality, train entrepreneurs, advance a bypass, and increase community events.

Question 3: If elected, what would your top priority be as mayor?

Build a Welcoming Community: Advance a community and government that is respectful and responsive. This includes increasing community and playfield greenspaces, advancing welcoming amenities, expanding senior activities, and aquifer stabilization.

Debra McNeil

Age: Did not answer.

Hometown: Did not answer.

Employment/Business/Other Experience: First public election experience. Teacher and administrator in Pullman from 1978 to 2014 and owner of the small business Quilted Heart downtown Pullman from 1996 to 2013. Taught at St. Maries in Idaho from 1977 to 1978.

Education: B.A. in Education at Washington State University, M.A at WSU, School Administrative Credential at WSU, Library Science Courses for a credential at the University of Idaho.

Community Service: McNeil has volunteered as Master Gardener and is currently at WSU Whitman County Extension.

The following questions were were answered by candidates in 100 words or less. We do not edit the answers, other than to enforce the word limit.

Question 1: What is the biggest issue facing the city of Pullman, and what measures would you implement to address it?

The biggest challenge is preserving our town’s community ambiance while growing into a small city. Our residents love Pullman because of the 4 hill neighborhoods. I have heard this strong message as I meet with residents from all walks of life. A committed 2-way path of communication with the city and council is a must in maintaining that community feel while we redo the downtown and manage growth..While there are other priorities, we should continue to follow the Pullman Comprehensive Plan as our town’s blueprint until residents communicate otherwise.

Question 2: With enrollment declining at Washington State University and current fiscal concerns, how would you help businesses?

The decrease of 3,195 students since Fall of 2019 is typical of the decline in university enrollment in the United States. It is highly possible that the drop in population has been slow enough for us to have already adjusted to this situation. Regardless of the population we end up with each year, we should be prepared to support local businesses by implementing business-friendly city codes. Furthermore, it is important to continually educate our community on the importance that they shop locally if the needed item is available before traveling to another town or resorting to online shopping.

Question 3: If elected, what would your top priority be as mayor?

The number one way to kill a community is to not worry about the water. We should always be concerned about our water resources and how to use them wisely. My number one priority is on strengthening the sustainability of what we currently do well while ensuring that water is central to our managed growth priorities. Without foregrounding water in every plan we make as a community, we have no future. It’s as simple as that.

Eileen Macoll

Age: Did not answer.

Hometown: Did not answer.

Employment/Business/Other Experience: Did not answer.

Education: Did not answer.

Community Service: Did not answer.

The following questions were were answered by candidates in 100 words or less. We do not edit the answers, other than to enforce the word limit.

Questions: Did not answer.