Flink, Erikson running for Abby council

By Kevin O’Brien

In the April 1 election, Abbotsford residents in Wards 2 and 5 will have a choice between incumbent Ald. Kevin Flink and challenger Paul Erikson.

Flink has served on the city council for the past two years and previously served two terms on the Clark County Board of Supervisors. He’s also been a church council member at First United Church of Christ in Colby. He is co-owner and press operator at TP Printing Company in Abbotsford.

Erikson currently serves on the city’s planning commission and previously sat on a board formed by Northcentral Technical College to look at reintroducing auto collision courses. He has owned Kulas Body Shop in Abbotsford since 2002.

The two candidates were each asked the same four questions. Their answers are below: Why have you decided to run for city council?

Erikson: “I’ve been approached by residents in our ward, asking if I had some interest in it. I thought maybe, with my experience on the business side, I could offer some assistance.”

Flink: “I think it’s everybody’s duty to serve and help with their community, to keep it strong. I didn’t go on the council with an agenda, to push for one thing or another. I feel that I’m pretty level-headed. I listen to people’s concerns. You need a good mix of people on a board, not all thinking the same way.”

What would you say makes you a better candidate than your opponent? In other words, why should voters choose you?

Erikson: “I think I have a commonsense approach to problem solving. Obviously, we’re talking dollars and cents, and I think I bring a good fiscal philosophy.”

Flink: “Honestly, I don’t think either one of us is any better than the other. I believe Paul is interested in having a better community, too. I can’t say any reason that I feel that I would be better than Paul. If it was somebody else, I could say something.”

“If anything, I’m more experienced being on the council, working with the rest of the board. I’m not a hardcore Republican or Democrat. I’m not committed to any party philosophies.”

What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing the city and how do you think the council should address them?

Erikson: “In my opinion, just kind of driving around town, the biggest thing is trying to get it cleaned back up again. I know there’s ordinances, and you see some residents are kind of pushing the issue a little bit with keeping their stuff picked up.”

Erikson also said the council should continue working to bring together people of different cultures who live in Abbotsford.

Also, based on his time on the planning commission, Erikson said he would like the council to work on “bringing in businesses that benefit the community...so we can keep our money local.”

Flink: “The biggest challenge is the cost of road repairs in the city and how we’re going to fund that. In the past, they’ve gotten grants, and the grants seem to be drying up for our community. We’ve received a lot in the past. We have to come to the realization that we cannot count on grants or interest- free loans to pay for road building.”

The city is in the midst of updating its comprehensive plan, which is supposed to map out the next 20 years for Abbotsford. How would you like to see the city change or stay the same in the next 20 years?

Erikson: “With that plan, we want to move forward with getting Main Street cleaned up, making it more presentable and desirable for more businesses. And we’re always trying to improve on the safety in town so people are comfortable.”

Flink: “I feel a comprehensive plan is just that, a plan. People need to realize it will change as needs come up. Things that need to be addressed in the comprehensive plan are commercial, manufacturing and residential housing. Bringing quality of life to our residents is something I believe needs to be in a comprehensive plan.”

Kevin Flink

Paul Erikson