Korthuis wins mayor's office

Lynden Tribune, November 11, 2009 by Calvin Bratt
LYNDEN — Scott Korthuis said he is excited to step into the role of Lynden’s next mayor, now that he is the winner in the Nov. 3 election.
Korthuis held a lead of nearly 5 percent, 217 votes out of 4,445 cast, over Gary Bode in Monday’s latest count of votes by the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office.
“It’s an honor to serve the citizens of Lynden,” Korthuis said Tuesday from California, where he was on business for his employer, OXBO International Corporation, an agricultural equipment manufacturer.
Korthuis, 50, a newcomer to Lynden city government, said he expected a close race against Bode, 62, who has 10 years on the City Council. Two-term mayor Jack Louws is retiring.
Korthuis said he will now get up to speed with what’s going on with the city and “review everything” with council and staff members. He said he wants to use the “experience base” represented by Bode and others in city government.
As the 2010 city budget is already in development, Korthuis said he will look at it for any “adjustments” especially with a view on to 2011. A hot issue for the city in recent months has been the 20-year Urban Growth Area allowed by Whatcom County. On that, Korthuis said he assumes there must be some method of review or appeal if necessary, and he added that the new members of the County Council may bring “a new perspective on things.” Although the margin was close from election night on, Korthuis always held the lead in vote counting.

Herald Editorial Staff Recommends Korthuis

Bellingham Herald Oct. 17, 2009 - Full Article Here

It's Korthuis' experience in management that really stands out in this race. Continue...

Scott Addresses Current City Issues

Lynden Tribune Oct 1, 2009 - Full Article Here

It’s important to remember that the experience base of the council and the knowledge and expertise of the city administration does not leave when a mayor does.
The fact that I am not a “career politician” is the very reason I was encouraged to run. Besides administrative strengths and management skills, I bring a fresh perspective and objectivity to the office. I have no agendas, no alliances, no promises to fulfill – just a desire to serve.
In reality, the office of mayor is not impacted so much by history, but by the future. Since no one can anticipate what issues and challenges the next four years will bring, a confident leader is needed to react, assess and set direction. Continue...

FORMER MAYORS TO ENDORSE KORTHUIS

By Calvin Bratt
Lynden Tribune, August 19, 2009

LYNDEN—Ellen Korthuis says that she doesn’t remember agreeing to “running for public office” in her wedding vows with husband Scott.

But now that he is running for mayor, she realizes that “he’s what Lynden needs” and he has her support as a “principled, committed and discerning” person, she says.

Business associate Kevin Pawlowski also added his endorsement of Scott Korthuis’s skills and qualities in introducing the first-time city candidate at a campaign kick-off Thursday night in the former Sidewalk Café area at Dutch Village mall.

Pawlowski said Korthuis has exceptional judgment and decision-making skills to lead the city over the next four years.

Pawlowski said he saw those “essential qualities” in action as Korthuis managed at the Korvan (now OXBO) harvester manufacturing company, worked on a city economic development task force, and led a capital campaign at Lynden Christian School.

Korthuis would represent a continuation of the good leadership that Jack Louws has given the city for eight years, he added.

The candidate, in his own turn speaking to a crowd of 40, said he wants to bring integrity, common sense and fiscal responsibility to city operations.

Citing his brochure points, he said he wants to protect Lynden’s unique character, promote a positive business climate, and prosper the community for coming generations.

Businesses can be stifled by “a lot of rules and regulations,” Korthuis said.

He talked about the joy of walking in Lynden on a Sunday afternoon, with the town “clean, safe and looking nice,” enhanced by parks and trails, and family wage jobs. Korthuis said he will be getting the endorsement of current mayor Louws and former mayor Jim Kaemingk Sr. “Previous leaders of Lynden see me as having the leadership skills to be mayor,” he said.

This press release was published in the Lynden Tribune on June 10, 2009. View the article HERE