Times/News Correspondent

Des Moines council candidate Ed Pina said at a candidate's forum last week that, if elected, he will give budget priority to critical city services such as police and street improvements.

The former planning commission member spoke at the Oct. 13 event at the Huntington Park West Homes Clubhouse in Des Moines.

Pina also said he would "strive to have the city and Port of Seattle finalize a mutually acceptable business park on the Port's former fill site north of 216th Street to maximize the city's benefits and minimize adverse impacts."

He is challenging City Councilwoman Maggie Steenrod, who did not attend the forum but sent a statement that was read aloud on her behalf.

Steenrod, who is completing her first term on the city council, said she wants to serve for four more years.

If re-elected, Steenrod said she will work to improve the city's permitting system that is currently "too time [consuming] and costly.

"I support tax increases when we have exhausted other avenues of bringing in money, but raising taxes to justify expenditures is not the answer," she continued.

Des Moines voters will be asked in next month's election if they want to increase their property tax levy by approving Proposition 1 to restore funding for police services to 1999 levels.

Des Moines residents, in turn, asked the candidates what they thought about a proposed new police substation in Redondo Square.

"The city has cut a number of police position over the course of last five years and a lot of the problems I'm hearing in terms of the crime is the need to restore the level of police protection," stated Dave Kaplan.

Kaplan, a former Des Moines councilman, is running against Rob Back for Position 5 on the council.

Back, who made unsuccessful bids for election to the council in 2001 and 2003, did not attend the forum because of the recent death of his mother.

Kaplan explained that his concerns deal with the offer that has been made concerning the space for the new station.

While the substation location has been offered to the city for free for the first five years, "it's an expense that the city will wind up having to take on five years down the road.

"While we can't pay for the services we're already providing, it's crazy to me to add a substation in that location," he said.

Kaplan added that he "honestly can't support" a new substation at this time.

However, incumbent Councilwoman Susan White, who is running for re-election, said she is "very supportive" of a new substation.

She also supports restoring police department staffing levels through the proposed levy lid lift that will be on the ballot Nov. 8.

White's opponent, H.M. "Mike" Foote Jr., did not appear at the forum.

Carmen Scott, who was a councilwoman from 1988 to 1991, said she would give the Police Department the support they need.

Her opponent, incumbent Councilman Gary Petersen, also did not attend.

Opposing Highline Water District Commissioner (Position 1) Jerry Guite is Michael D. Spear, who expressed disappointment "with [district] actions in securing the natural water resources in the area...."

Spear added that district commissioners failed to ensure "water quality when it was brought up that the fill being used for the third runway project could be unsafe."

"To my knowledge, I can not see any action on their part. I want a district that holds our water quality to the highest standards."

Although Guite did not comment on specific priorities or plans for the water district, he cited public support he has received as a commissioner.