Wilder leads in race for mayor

Challenger Greg Wilder garnered 67 percent of the primary vote ended Tuesday night to place himself solidly in the general election race against Coulee Dam Mayor Quincy Snow. A third candidate, Shawn Derrick, placed third with 17 votes.

Wilder picked up 160 primary votes to Snow’s 61.

“I think the people sent a clear message,” Wilder said Tuesday night after the returns came in.

The final count will be made on Friday, allowing time for ballots mailed at the last minute, Okanogan County election officials stated. A total of 238 ballots had been counted Tuesday.

Snow is seeking his fifth four-year term and is being challenged largely out of conflict that grew progressively over the past year regarding the town’s wastewater treatment plant project.

Wilder has repeatedly challenged the town’s decision to go ahead with a $4.92 million wastewater treatment plant, opting for a smaller version and later suggesting that an alternate location should be studied.

In the melee, Wilder picked up support from Elmer City, who argued that the town was actually a partner in the project, not just a customer.

Slowly, Wilder’s persistence in pleading his cause picked up momentum with town residents showing up at council meetings asking many of the same questions.

Now Wilder will face off against Snow in the November general election.

Wilder also said that he looks forward to working with Derrick, whom he said was “the kind of person who should get into city government.”

A total of 474 ballots were issued for residents of Coulee Dam. No estimate was made of how many ballots have yet to be counted.

The election will be certified on Aug. 20.