OTHELLO — Othello’s candidates for city council were given an opportunity to respond to a set of questions. We could not contact Oscar Lopez, as he did not include contact information when he filed as a candidate. Of the remaining three, only Kelli Camp responded. Mrs. Camp is running for council position one against incumbent Genna Dorow. Alma Carmona and Oscar Lopez are both vying for council position 3.
We can verify that Dorow, Carmona, and Lopez all opened our email. The candidates were offered an extended opportunity to respond on Wednesday morning. One candidate opened the email message but still did not offer responses.
Here are Kelli Camp’s responses to our questionnaire.
1) Tell us about you, your background, passions, and qualifications to be a city council member.
I have been a Registered Nurse since 1997 and have spent the last 14 years serving as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. In May 2025, I completed my Doctor of Nursing Practice in Leadership. I also serve as the president of the Washington Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, a nonprofit organization, where I’ve gained valuable experience in proper governance and fiduciary responsibility. In 2023, I was appointed to the Othello School Board, where I worked to strengthen local education and ensure accountability for families in our community. I am married, raising two children, ages 9 and 13, here in Othello, and I am deeply committed to this community. My professional and leadership experiences have taught me the importance of transparency, accountability, and advocating for the people I serve, qualities I would bring to the city council.
2) What are your top budget priorities for the City of Othello?
My top budget priorities are ensuring responsible spending, investing in essential services like public safety and infrastructure, and supporting projects that directly improve quality of life for Othello residents. I believe the city must be disciplined with tax dollars, focusing on needs first while still preparing for the future.
3) What is your position on the repair or replacement of the Othello Community Pool?
The pool is a valuable community resource, especially for our youth. I believe the city should fully explore cost-effective repair options before considering replacement, and I agree with the bond that will be on the November ballot. Finances are tight for many if not all families in Othello. Any decision must balance fiscal responsibility with maintaining a resource that contributes so much to community health and engagement.
4) What is the city currently doing well and what do you think could be improved?
Othello has done well with building a strong sense of community and securing grants for public improvements that benefit residents. However, it does not seem that the city has planned as well for the ongoing costs and long-term maintenance of these projects, which could create challenges down the road. In addition, decision-making and communication with residents need improvement. Too often choices are made without enough community input, leaving people feeling left out of the process. In recent years, city’s relationship with the county has broken down, making it harder to collaborate on services and projects that affect us all. Rebuilding those partnerships will be critical for Othello’s future. Finally, the city needs to take a hard look at arduous processes to decrease unnecessary red tape that discourages businesses from coming here. Simplifying those processes would help attract the kind of development our community needs.
5) What kind of development would you like to see as Othello continues to grow?
I would like to see development that supports local businesses, creates family-wage jobs, and expands housing options. This growth and development must make good sense as the city grows organically beyond its current boundaries. Balanced growth is important including commercial development that diversifies our economy, along with thoughtful residential development that ensures affordability and livability.
6) What can the city council do to attract more job-creating development in Othello?
The city council can help by reducing unnecessary red tape, making it easier for businesses to invest here. We should also invest in infrastructure that supports growth (roads, utilities, and technology) while actively working with regional partners to recruit industries that bring stable jobs. Clear communication and predictable processes will make Othello more attractive to businesses.
7) Do you support requiring housing developers to include affordable housing units as part of their plans?
Yes. Affordable housing is urgently needed in Othello. While I believe we must work with developers to find solutions that are practical and sustainable, requiring affordable units within new developments does ensure we’re planning for all members of the community, not just those who can afford higher-priced homes.
8) What is your position regarding the positions of Mayor and City Administrator? Should these positions be separated again or should they remain connected? Please explain why.
I fully support separating these positions again. The mayor should serve as the elected representative and voice of the people, while the City Administrator should manage day-to-day operations. Keeping both roles in the same individual, as is currently the case, blurs accountability, concentrates too much power in one office, and can create conflicts of interest. It also reduces transparency, because residents cannot easily distinguish between decisions made for political purposes versus those made for operational efficiency. Separating these roles ensures reinstatement of necessary checks and balances, clear lines of responsibility, promotes better oversight, and strengthens the professional management of city operations, while allowing the mayor to focus on representing the community’s interests and long-term vision.
9) What is your position regarding the City of Othello starting its own fire department and severing ties with Adams County Fire District 5?
I believe Othello should have carefully considered annexation into Adams County Fire District 5 before moving to start its own department, and I also believe this choice should have been brought directly to the voters of Othello. Partnering with ACFD has served our city well for decades, and the sudden move to sever ties will likely cost taxpayers more in the long run. One concern raised by opponents of annexation is the claim that all the city’s buildings and equipment would automatically be “given away” to the county fire district. My understanding of Washington State statute is that this outcome is not automatic; rather, these assets and any compensation are negotiable as part of the annexation process. In fact, the law provides room for agreements that protect the interests of both the city and its residents. For me, the priority should always be to ensure that Othello has sustainable, cost-effective, and high-quality fire protection. Continuing to contract with or considering annexation into ACFD 5 could have been a practical, long-term solution worth serious consideration before committing to the much higher costs of building a city fire department from scratch.
