Gutierrez, Blush face off for council seat

On the Nov. 5 general election ballot, George Blush and Miguel Gutierrez are competing for an open seat on the Shelton City Council.

Blush, Gutierrez and Trenton Powers faced off her a four-year term on the council as member No. 7 in the August primary election. Incumbent Megan Fiess, who was selected by the council to complete Bob Roger’s unfinished term, is not seeking a new term. In the final ballot count, Blush received 446 votes for 38.65%, Gutierrez 425 votes for 38.65% and Powers 273 votes for 23.66%.

Blush owns Nita’s Koffee Shop in downtown Shelton. He is the executive director of the nonprofit 5XL Shelton pet food bank and is chairman of the Mason County Housing Authority. Blush ran unsuccessfully foe a council seat four years ago.

Gutierrez taught special election, and wrote grant proposals for the Conservation Corps. He also trained volunteers for BAYAC AmeriCorps and developed a youth camping program for the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. This is the first time he has sought public office.

The Shelton-Mason County Journal submitted the same six questions to the candidates.

GEORGE BLUSH

1) What are the biggest challenges facing the city?

One of the biggest challenges facing Shelton right now is the need for mental health and drug rehabilitation services. I believe that increasing the services and outreach in those areas will help reduce those seeking stable housing, employment and improve the overall quality of life for those facing hurdles they cannot fight alone. On the other side of the fence those who refuse services and choose to destroy our town should be held accountable. We cannot tolerate the death of our children shooting of our DOC officers or the destruction of our waterways and shellfish with pollution. We have to stand together to protect and help each other

Our community is known for its oysters, Christmas trees, beautiful trails and parks. Shelton had been a favorite vacation Spot of my family since I was a kid. I love that I get to live here as an adult. We need to be proactive rather than reactive when dealing with these

Issues. So our community can be the vacation destination it was meant to be!

2) How will the city entice new businesses and residents?

We need to streamline the processes that are holding business and residents up. We need to focus on modernization of that and get it moving. I have heard too many times how tedious it is to deal with the city when they want to start a business or build a home. I also think we need to remove the moratorium on how high we can build. That would improve parking and provide views to our beautiful sound!

3) What is the city’s role in addressing the challenges of the pandemic?

We need to take advantage of the available funding that the COVID pandemic has made available. We should use that funding to do some of the projects that we need done, for example the wastewater treatment plant upgrades that need to be done. Using funds for things like that will help us avoid another utility increase later. We also need a permanent restroom structure so people can be hygienic. I believe with the pandemic going on we should want to keep waste off our streets and encourage people to wash their hands.

4) What does Shelton need?

Shelton needs strong leaders with a passion for the community, who are here and involved. I have spent my time here building relationships and getting things done. As a councilman I will continue to utilize my relationships, to continue to get things done.

5) What strengths would you bring to the council?

I am not afraid to lead, but I also know when to listen. I have many wonderful relationships with incredible people who have helped me get things done here in Shelton. I plan to bring those same people with me to help clean up our city. I believe we should work with our county counterparts and use the things they have available. For example, the county has their own chip seal trucks that can do our roads for much cheaper than how they have done in the past. Currently they have not yet even talked yet about partnered to make this happen! If we can cut down the cost just imagine how much more roadwork will get done.

6) Who is a local, state or national political person you admire, and why?

The political person I admire is my good friend our Mason County Commissioner Randy Neatherlin. Throughout the last few uncertain years he has helped me get things done here in Shelton. Together we have been working behind the scenes helping the veterans, seniors, kids and he even helps man the booth for 5XL Shelton down at the farmers market! He has been a good friend, confidant, lodge brother and in my house he is known as Uncle Randy. I look forward to many years of working together with him and getting things done.

MIGUEL

1) What are the biggest challenges facing the city?

Addiction, depression, anger and fear are the biggest challenges facing the city. Addiction and depression lead to medical and mental health problems. Anger and fear lead to hate and knee-jerk reactions, creating a hostile environment. Then we are left with a spiraling and deepening addiction and depression and the result is unnecessary suffering.

2) How will the city entice new businesses and residents?

We need to build a reputation of having a stable environment in which to build a business. Specifically, I advocate the following:

a. Creative zoning

b. Re-invigorate the "Tiny House" movement and establish "Tiny house" neighborhoods.

c. Find permanent and accessible locations for "Pop-up" markets and microbusiness

d. High speed internet hot spots throughout the city

e. Increase salaries for teachers, aides, bus drivers, and support staff. (Not administrators.)

f. Re-establish a local "Bank of Shelton" that can secure micro-loans and grants for riskier small businesses; Service accounts that regular banks or credit unions could not or would not normally extend credit.

3) What is the city’s role in addressing the challenges of the pandemic?

The City's responsibility is to get residents to be on board with taking care of ourselves and each other.

a. We should acquire and distribute masks, hand sanitizers.

b. We should have a positive media campaign (social and conventional) about healthy procedures and sanitation.

c. We should acquire and distribute any and all state and federal aid that is available.

d. We should be role models of proper health procedures that minimize risks of infection.

e. We should remind people to keep the host body healthy, get fresh air, and have better nutrition.

4) What does Shelton need?

Shelton needs AFFORDABLE eldercare, childcare, and housing. Moreover, we need to decide if our destiny lies with big corporations uptown or local small businesses downtown. Maybe we can have both a quaint small town and a bustling business district. However, at some point we have to choose the path of being “It's Wonderful Life's” Bedford Falls or its alternate reality equal, Pottersville. Most of all, we need to stop all the hate and aspire to be better.

5) What strengths would you bring to the council?

My biggest strength is my love and my joy for living in Shelton. I am enthralled and motivated to be a caretaker and resident of Shelton for the rest of my foreseeable life. I want to share my love and joy for this place. In addition, I bring over 20 years of experience from the field of special education, nonprofit civic engagement organizations (AmeriCorps), and youth-centered environmental centers (Crissy Field Center-Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy). I built a reputation of customer service, honesty, asking hard questions, and telling truth to power. Most of all, I bring a fresh perspective and creativity. Anything is possible.

6) Who is a local, state or national political person who admire, and why?

Martin Luther King Jr., Cesar Chavez, Oscar Romero, and Corazon Aquino come to mind, but there is only one politician who has a decades-long consistent record of advocating for and demonstrating his values. He is the independent U.S. senator from Vermont, Bernard Sanders. I admire Senator Sanders because now, more than ever, he is fighting for the working class over the oligarchs and for the people over the corporations. Since his college days in the 1960s as a member of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), he has been on the correct side of history. He inspired me to come out of "retirement" and get back into the restoration of Truth, Justice, and the American Way.