LaRock and Parks move on to T-Falls general election

Danielle Switalski

Carla Parks and current mayor Luis LaRock are moving on to the Thompson Falls general election for mayor after beating out four other candidates in the primary elections.

Out of the 704 mail-in ballots that were sent out, 490 were returned with 228 votes going to Parks and 125 to LaRock.

Clerk and Recorder Jennine Robbins said she was very pleased and surprised with the results and turnout they got from the new mail-in ballots.

LaRock refused to speak with the Valley Press about both the primary and general elections.

This is the first time Parks has run for mayor and she said she was truly surprised by the outcome of the primary election and is looking forward to moving on with her campaign and meeting more people in the community.

“It kind of surprised me that so many people voted for me and I have their trust and it makes me want to work even harder to get in and earn that trust,” said Parks who added she was particularly surprised by the votes because there were some very good candidates running for mayor in the primary election.

Although Parks is excited about moving on into the general elections, she has mixed feelings when it comes to pushing her campaign because this year’s mayoral election is different from previous elections, specifically with the unique interest in the mayor position.  This year is different than past elections as there have not been more than four candidates running for mayor as far back as 1981, said Robbins.

Parks said she feels strongly about the people of Thompson Falls knowing who they are electing and she plans to go door to door in order to give people a chance to ask her questions and get to know her, if they do not already.

One of Parks main goals, should she be elected mayor, is to create an atmosphere of camaraderie between different organizations throughout the town.  She wants the city to work together with the other entities in the community and have a better relationship between the county and the nonprofit and volunteer organizations, the senior citizens and the schools.

“I think its is so important that the city works together with the school to make good things happen in the community,” said Parks.  “If I am elected one of the first things I want to do is have meetings and sit down with them (these organizations) and find common goals and see how the city can help with those goals,” said Parks.