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VOTE411 Voter Guide

Whitman County Pullman City Council (7) Ward 1

The City Council is the legislative body for the City. The Council adopts local laws (ordinances) to secure the safety and assist the well-being of the city residents, the city s physical environment and amenities, and the city economy. The Council is responsible for approving financial expenditures and adopting the city budget as well as establishing policies and regulations in order to guide the city s future. The elected mayor serves as chief administrative officer for the city.

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    Bobbi Bennett-Wolcott
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Randy Cross
    (NP)

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    Holly Greystone
    (NP)

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    Cindy Kothandaraman
    (NP)

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    Bryan MacDonald
    (NP)

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    John-Mark Mahnkey
    (NP)

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    James Pitzer
    (NP)

Biographical Information

How do you plan on interacting with the citizens of your city?

What should your city/town’s role be in dealing with environmental issues?

What is your record of public service?

How do you think your city/town should respond to homelessness?

How would you describe your vision for your city?

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Phone 5094326972
Email randycross.ward1@hotmail.com
Town where you live PULLMAN
Experience (300 characters max) I am not a career politician and this is my first time running for public office.
Communication is the foundation of a community. If elected, I plan on being out in the community as much as possible to talk with the people. I also plan to be a responsive official and address concerns brought to my attention in person, over the phone, via email, or through regular mail.
A city should be proactive with environmental issues. It should carefully weigh projects and needs against the long term effects of the area we live in.
I have very limited public service. After retiring from the service and starting a new career at WSU, I decided to focus more on raising my family. Now that my children have grown and are raising families of their own I feel I have the time to give more to the community I call home.
Affordable housing remains one of my top priorities for our city. Homelessness is not just an individual struggle—it’s a challenge that touches all of us and demands a united, community-driven response. As an elected official, I would collaborate closely with residents, local businesses, and law enforcement to develop thoughtful strategies that lessen the impact of homelessness on our neighborhoods while ensuring that vital services and support are available to those in need. Open communication and collective action will be the foundation of our efforts to create lasting, compassionate solutions.
To me, Pullman is far more than a college town; it's a vibrant, welcoming community and an ideal place to raise a family. I’m committed to preserving the charm and safety that make our city special. By supporting the growth of local businesses and expanding affordable housing options, I’ll work to ensure Pullman remains the hometown we’re all proud of.
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Phone 425-533-9616
Email cindy.kothandaraman@yahoo.com
Town where you live Pullman
Experience (300 characters max) School systems leader and journalist in education, policy, and community development. RFK Jr. 2024 SE WA volunteer. Advocate for grassroots public health. Pullman resident since 2016. No prior elected or judicial office held. B.S., Interdisciplinary Studies; M.A., Org. Ed. Leadership.
I plan to interact with Pullman residents through regular public town halls, open office hours in each neighborhood, and transparent communication via multiple platforms—online, in print, and in person. I’ll meet people where they are: schools, parks, senior centers, and community spaces. Public input shouldn’t rely on who can attend a weekday meeting or fill out a city survey—true engagement means reaching out proactively, listening with intention, and following up with action. I’ll work to build a culture where residents feel seen, heard, and empowered to shape the policies that affect their lives. Accountability starts with accessibility.
Our city must take a leadership role in addressing environmental issues by fully complying with the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA). The GMA requires cities like Pullman to protect critical areas, manage natural resources, and plan for sustainable growth. This means integrating environmental stewardship into every planning decision—especially land use, transportation, housing, and infrastructure. Pullman must stop approving developments that sprawl into sensitive areas and instead focus on infill, multimodal transit, and preserving open space and farmland. We must align our Comprehensive Plan, Capital Improvement Plan, and Transportation Plan with measurable environmental goals, not just vague aspirations. The city must also include residents in environmental decisions, ensuring transparency and accountability in how growth impacts water, air, and soil health. Our role is not just to react to environmental problems, but to prevent them through data-informed, legally ground
My public service record spans decades of work in education, community development, and grassroots policy advocacy. I’ve served as a teacher, curriculum developer, and program manager focused on equitable education systems. I contributed to a national model for Full Service Community Schools through a Stanford-led study. Since moving to Pullman in 2016, I’ve been deeply involved in public health and planning advocacy—analyzing local policies, organizing residents, and promoting accountability in governance. I also volunteered for the 2024 RFK Jr. presidential campaign in Southeast Washington, supporting efforts aligned with HHS goals for community-based public health. I believe public service begins with listening, research, and a commitment to act on behalf of those left out of traditional planning and decision-making processes.
Pullman must respond to homelessness by rebuilding the full housing ladder—from emergency shelter to deeply affordable rentals to pathways for homeownership. Right now, too many are stuck at the bottom with no way up. We need to invest in supportive housing, protect renters, and align our plans with real data and legal obligations under the Growth Management Act. The city must coordinate with county and regional partners to expand transitional housing, fund wraparound services, and prevent displacement. Homelessness isn’t just about lacking shelter—it’s about lacking opportunity, protection, and a plan. We must build systems that lift people up, not push them out.
My vision for Pullman is a full reset—one that moves us from fragmented, top-down decision-making to a transparent, community-driven approach rooted in equity, sustainability, and accountability. We must align our city’s plans with real needs, real data, and real people—not just consultants or special interests. That means rethinking how we grow, how we govern, and how we listen. We need a city where every resident—not just a few—has a seat at the table and a role in shaping our future. A reset means prioritizing infill over sprawl, investing in public health and housing people can afford, and building systems that work across generations. It means aligning our Comprehensive Plan, Capital Plan, and public engagement processes to meet legal and ethical standards, including the Growth Management Act. My vision is a Pullman where children, families, students, workers, and elders thrive—because the systems around them are responsive, transparent, and built for the long term.
Phone 5094321883
Email bryan@bryanforpullman.com
Town where you live Pullman, WA
Experience (300 characters max) I have lived in Pullman for over 30 years, studied at WSU, built a career at SEL, and raised a family here. As a problem-solver, I led global teams through challenges, including a pandemic. I bring practical, action-oriented leadership that prioritizes people and local businesses.
I'm attending events, knocking on doors, and interacting with social media. Anyone is welcome to call, text, or email me. I'd love to hear your ideas, suggestions, questions, and feedback... in whatever way works best for you.
When I first started at WSU, I came for Environmental Engineering.. and while I ended up changing majors—and I love solving problems in efficient & effective ways. Often the best solutions are not only effective, but efficient—including tackling environmental challenges.
I've served on the board for the Montessori School of Pullman and various positions with the Palouse Information Systems Security Association. This is my first time running for a government office.
We have some great non-profits that have helped people in difficult situations and helped keep Pullman from having the same level of widespread challenge as a lot of other cities. We need to increase awareness for what resources are available and help people connect with those places. Speaking more broadly, we do need to make it easier to buy and build a house in Pullman... making it easier for people early in their careers to want to stay and settle down here.
Pullman was already the best small college town when I moved here. I still think it is—but it needs help to stay there and be even better! The best version of Pullman is one with strong partnerships between the city, the university, and the local businesses. We have creative, smart, inventive and entrepreneurial people... space for those people to grow their ideas... and a school that helps bring in more of those ideas and potential. When those all work in concert, it makes the city, the university, and the business enivronment all better—and opens up more potential for the people who live here.
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Phone 5094323291
Email pitzer4pullman.com
Town where you live Pullman
Experience (300 characters max) Born and raised in Pullman. WSU graduate in MIS and Entrepreneurship. Experience in customer service, project coordination, and small business settings. Coached youth sports and participated in WSU business and entrepreneurship programs.
I plan to be highly accessible and visible in the community — not just during campaign season, but throughout my time in office. I will regularly attend local events, hold listening sessions, and maintain open lines of communication through social media, email, and in-person meetings. I believe in proactive outreach and making sure residents feel heard, respected, and informed about what’s happening at City Hall.
Our city should lead by example. That means investing in sustainable infrastructure, supporting renewable energy where feasible, promoting green building practices, and protecting our natural environment. Local government can also educate the public and partner with institutions like WSU and SEL to innovate and implement practical, eco-friendly solutions that benefit both the environment and our economy.
I’ve served the Pullman community in several ways — from mentoring youth as a coach to supporting local businesses and community events. I also took part in leadership and entrepreneurship programs at WSU that focused on service, collaboration, and building community-centered projects. I am running to build on that work and serve Pullman in a more official capacity.
We need a compassionate, coordinated response that balances immediate support with long-term solutions. That means working with local nonprofits, health services, and housing providers to expand access to shelter, mental health care, addiction recovery, and affordable housing. Prevention is just as important as intervention — the city should do more to keep people housed and stable before they reach crisis.
I envision a Pullman where residents feel connected, supported, and proud to live. That includes a strong local economy, a welcoming atmosphere for families and students, walkable neighborhoods, and responsive local government. I want to strengthen ties with WSU and other partners, support small businesses, and ensure every voice has a seat at the table. Pullman’s best days are ahead — but only if we work together.