Morton mayor up for election on November ballot

Nov. 1—In the Nov. 7 general election, voters in the Morton city limits will decide whether to re-elect incumbent Morton Mayor Dan Mortensen or replace him with challenger Ricky Mead.

Mead does not have a phone number or answers to questions listed in the voters' pamphlet and has not responded to emails from The Chronicle requesting responses on an email questionnaire.

If Mead does respond with ample time ahead of the election, The Chronicle will publish his responses in a separate story. The candidates were sent identical questionnaires over email. Mortensen's responses are below.

The 18-day voting period began on Oct. 20. Ballots are due by 8 p.m. on Nov. 7. Learn more about candidates and measures at https://elections.lewiscountywa.gov, or call the election office at 360-740-1278.

Dan Mortensen

What is your name and how old are you?

My name is Dan S. Mortensen and I am 73 years old.

Why are you running for Morton mayor?

I am a retired chief of police for the City of Morton and retired after nearly 30 years of service to our community. I was elected to the mayor position in January of 2016, and have been the mayor for two terms.

I have decided to run for a third term because we still have many projects in the works that need to be completed and I believe I have the ability and experience to see the tasks ahead completed.

We have about $6 million in capital funding, dedicated to our city's infrastructure, with the projects scheduled to begin early 2024. Many of our streets are in serious condition and we have plans dedicated to improving many of our roadways. I understand the functions of city government and believe I have the ability and expertise to work in cooperation with our city personnel to achieve the goals set before us.

Do you have previous experience as an elected official?

I was elected as mayor of Morton, and took office in January of 2016. I have eight years of elected service to our community.

What other relevant experience do you have in work, life and/or as a volunteer?

I was an assistant manager for McDonald's in the Tacoma/Burien area for a number of years, which helped me pay for my college expenses while learning a great management program.

I also spent several years working for the University of Washington in cooperation with Seattle Metro to build and design an agricultural application system to fertilize the forest with wastewater solids.

In the late 1970s, I purchased a business in Ashford, Washington, running and operating a small mom and pop grocery store, service station, apartment and home rental business. As business, bookkeeping as well as public relations was an integral part of the experience, it was well-suited for preparing me for managing city government.

I had the opportunity to travel abroad and spent nearly three years in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, managing a crew of about 35 expats and nationals, training them to run and maintain their own airline support program. Learning foreign cultures and communicating with different backgrounds allowed me a better understanding of cultures, ethnicity and religious integration. Not to mention the experience of world travel and the different standards and expectations from different cultures.

I entered the law enforcement field in the early 80s and spent nearly 30 years managing and participating in the budgeting, training and supervising of personnel. I also participated in city government and was a team player throughout the county with law enforcement and several branches of government associated with the many functions of city government. Throughout the 70s and early 80s I also volunteered to the local fire department, FPD 23 in the Ashford, Elbe area as a firefighter and first responder. Community service and community participation was integrated throughout my career.

What else do you want voters to know about you?

I have lived in this community for nearly 40 years and have raised my family here. I believe my reputation as a hardworking, honest and dedicated public servant for the many years I have served sets a standard for the kind of service the community can expect from me in the next four years.

What do you think sets you apart from your opponent?

I have a working knowledge of this city's government and have 40 years experience in serving this community and am very well versed in the operation and needs of our community. I know most of the citizens in our area, from working with them in law enforcement as well as being their mayor. They know what to expect with my service to their community.