Executive chef hopes to provide budget experience to Fairfield Town Council
Steven Walk believes its time for change on the Fairfield Town Council.
Walk has lived in Fairfield for the last few years and is hoping to get more involved in the community.
Walk is one of three candidates for position 1 on the Fairfield Town Council. The other choices on the ballot, Kevin Finley and Dave Watling, declined to speak with The Spokesman-Review after several interview requests were made.
“It’s time for some fresh eyes and fresh blood,” Walk said.
Walk, the executive chef at the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort, has a finance and budget background after managing multimillion-dollar restaurant venues, he said.
Despite his call for change, Walk said he isn’t criticizing the current council.
“For the most part they do a good job,” Walk said. “I just want to get a grasp on the finances.”
One of his goals is to update the community center in Fairfield. The Town Council has been talking about it for a while, and Walk hopes it’s a project he could push forward, he said.
Fairfield rents out the community center so it has income and it could stay open during renovations, Walk said.
He also hopes to work on keeping the main street corridor full and occupied despite losing the community market, Walk said.
“I may not have a political background but I’m knowledgeable,” Walk said. “I know the importance of balancing the budget while still providing services.”
One of Walk’s stepchildren recently graduated from high school and the younger one is still attending a local school.
It’s important to create more resources for these kids, Walk said.
The community should be there to support them and give them opportunities to succeed, he said.
“I want them to come back to town and invest in the community,” Walk said.
Walk plans to participate in Town Council debates after the primary.
Some weeks there are no residents at Town Council meetings, Walk said. Consistent community involvement is important and something to work toward, he said.