In what was a razor-thin margin during the primaries, Aberdeen City Council’s Ward 6 could have the most interesting General Election race throughout Grays Harbor County. Sydney Renae Newbill received two more votes than her competitor Bessie Jones in August’s primary election.
Here’s what they had to say with just a couple weeks before the Nov. 7 General Election.
Sydney Renae Newbill — Ward 6 Position 12
What makes you the best option for city council?
“I have the energy necessary for the massive workload and I am excited about it,” Newbill said. “Our community is plagued by thoughts of ‘nothing can or will get better’ and I find that statement not only disheartening, but incorrect. Things can get better with a lot of hard work, harder conversations and genuine effort. We need more people serving the city who not only have that high energy level, but a positively-driven desire to do the work.”
How specifically do you think your past experience will help you on Aberdeen City Council?
“While this is my first time seeking an elected position to serve the city, I have been seen as a leader for my peers since I was in kindergarten,” Newbill said. “After graduating college, I started my first business in Aberdeen and co-founded Grays Harbor Young Professionals. My chosen career requires me to be a buffer between all parties during a very stressful time.”
Newbill, who owns an event planning business, spoke about how her background will help her should she win the council seat. Her business is having an eagle eye and making sure things are done right.
“My background is a clear example of my willingness to take the leap, to be a leader for my peers, and my desire to rectify the biggest struggles in Aberdeen,” Newbill said. “Hard conversations, compromising when necessary, proactive work and keen attention to the little things are all core elements of my work on a daily basis. Applying these things to my work with the council will come naturally.”
What are two issues you aim to work on should you join the city council?
Newbill sees three critical issues facing Aberdeen.
“Our core struggles in Aberdeen are all intertwined and must be addressed cohesively before progress can be seen,” Newbill said. “Our core three struggles are housing, business development and substance abuse disorder. If we do not take action for housing, we are unable to assist those who are unhoused. If we do not assist those without a home, we are unable to create a better environment in the Downtown Business District. If we do not provide a better support to those with substance abuse disorders, the businesses in our city will not feel supported either. They all must be addressed. There is no addressing one of these struggles without addressing the other. None of (this) can be done without repairing our sense of connection and community, but that is an entirely different conversation.”
Newbill also chimed in on her “unmatched tenacity and work ethic.” She shared a little about her efforts to help her fellow Aberdonians.
“I hold several roles in our community dedicated to serving others in various ways and have been long before the election,” Newbill said. “Above all else, I am a born and raised Harborite. I have lived all over Grays Harbor County and I’ve seen and understood the impact the city of Aberdeen has on the entire county. My passion for all the work that I do is rooted in being told over and over that I ‘have to leave Grays Harbor to make something of myself.’ This fallacy has been impacting generations of children and it’s time we put it to bed.”
Bessie Jones — Ward 6 Position 12
Jones did not respond in time to this week’s questions despite multiple efforts by The Daily World
Here are her answers for similar questions asked of her in July.
What makes you the best option for city council?
“I knew once I moved back to Aberdeen in December of 2019 that I wanted to run for city council,” Jones said back in July. “I want to help turn our city around and bring a positive change to our community. It is finally moving in the right direction and I want to see that it continues this path. I look forward to seeing the future of Aberdeen succeed and by being a part of the decision-making process to identify projects that are a priority to the Aberdeen citizens.”
How specifically do you think your past experience will help you on Aberdeen City Council?
Jones served on Hoquiam City Council from 2007 to 2009.
What are two issues you aim to work on should you join the city council?
Jones pointed out numerous issues she wants to focus on — public safety, fiscal responsibility/budget, homelessness, clean-up efforts and revitalizing downtown Aberdeen.
“It is important to begin at the root of these issues and change-fix them rather than ignoring them or throwing a Band-Aid on them and expecting change,” Jones said back in July. “By creating a positive and unique community image we can keep our downtown area economically strong through preservation and revitalization. This allows citizens to feel safe walking and shopping downtown by creating an environment that is vibrant to work and live.”
Contact Reporter Matthew N. Wells at matthew.wells@thedailyworld.com.
