Multiple candidates at the Ellensburg City Council primary forum addressed concerns that some residents feel unheard and described steps they would take to increase outreach and transparency.

Candidates emphasized in‑person outreach. Geraldine O'Mahony, a planning commissioner, said “representation starts with being present” and proposed “regular neighborhood forums, meet with CWU student groups and senior centers, and partner with nonprofits, veterans organizations, and faith communities” to reach residents who do not use online channels.

Why it matters: Candidates noted the city’s demographic mix — long‑term residents, Central Washington University students, and newcomers — and argued that communication must meet people where they are. Several candidates pointed to the city’s existing “coffee with council” events as a model; Nancy Goodlow highlighted those monthly meetings as an existing vehicle for outreach.

Practical suggestions included physical community bulletin boards and more frequent pop‑up meetings. Erin Smith suggested neighborhood bulletin boards so residents who are not online can see city notices and event information while they are already “out and about.” Candidates also stressed formal transparency in decision‑making: O'Mahony said the city should be explicit about “how it is we are coming to these decisions, what evidence we're using, where we're drawing the evidence from.”

Forum tension and perception of listening: Smith raised a local controversy about a park‑naming decision — saying “they named it Unity Park when the majority there was 57 votes to name it Ellensburg Blues Park, and 3 votes for Unity Park. And they chose Unity Park” — to illustrate why some residents feel the council did not follow community preference. Incumbent Nancy Goodlow responded that the council followed the parks commission recommendation and that listening does not always result in the same substantive outcome.

Next steps: Candidates said they would continue using formal channels (public comment at meetings, commissions) and expand informal outreach (neighborhood forums, campus meetings and bulletin boards) to broaden participation and make decision rationales clearer.