Who Has The Answers For Problem’s In Yakima’s Council District #4?
In Yakima City Politics, the even-numbered City Council Districts are up for re-election this November second. District #2 is in Southeast Yakima, District #4 is in the central south business area, District #6 is in the Northwest part of the City.
Our interview today is with Yakima businessman Mark Shervey who owns MAK Daddy Coffee Roaster in downtown Yakima. Shervey is running for the District #4 seat currently held by one-term councilmember Dr. Kay Funk who chose not to run again.
Shervey describes himself as a compassionate conservative, saying he believes in smaller government overall, but acknowledges the city's responsibility to help care for the health and safety of everyone.
He says he is running for office after seeing what he calls the lack of success or progress made on a variety of issues by the last couple of councils. He cites, crime, the homeless, traffic, and an uninviting business process as all reasons to run.
Shervey says he sees Yakima's potential in downtown for business but that someone needs to step up to make the area more inviting.
On the subject of covid protocols, Shervey says mandates are an example of governmental overreach.
He supports the idea of citizens being able to vote on critical issues like the ballot initiative calling for a decision on a city-sponsored future potential income tax. He is opposed to such a tax and he believes that expanding the business community and growing the tax base is a way to raise more funds.
Here's our interview with 4th District City Council Candidate Mark Shervey.