Two in running for St. Ignatius mayoral seat
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MISSION — The St. Ignatius Town Council has two candidates running for mayor.
Incumbent Charles Gariepy, 54, has worked for Lake County Road and Bridge Department for 25 years. He and his wife Karolynn have three children. Gariepy has lived in the area his entire life and graduated from St. Ignatius High School. He spent eight years on the Town Council and has served six years as mayor.
Gariepy said the most important issue facing the state is the water rights compact.
“I think we just all need to band together and ride it through,” Gariepy said. “You’ve got to let it go through litigation. Right at the moment, locally there isn’t a really big issue at all.”
Gariepy said he would like to see the town have a bit of business growth in the next 10 years, that will help keep some of the current residents there.
If elected, Gariepy said he would need the input of the people to tell him what they want for the town.
Gariepy’s opponent is John W. Mitchell, 37, a police officer who has lived in the area his whole life. He is married and has three children and two grandchildren. Mitchell has worked with city government for many years and has owned his own business for 10 years.
He said the most important local issue is to have adequate law enforcement coverage and water and sewer infrastructure.
He said in the next 10 years he would like to see businesses in Mission grow and prosper.
“I hope it will be a safe place for my grandkids to raise their families when they get older,” Mitchell said.
If elected, he said he will need people to be more involved and come to council meetings.
