There are five city races on the November ballot, but only two of them will be contested.
City of Redmond planning commissioner Tom Flynn and Joel Wright, a Microsoft accountant, filed for City Council Pos. 5, currently held by Council President Richard Cole who plans to retire at the end of this term.
There will be another contested city council race as Redmond resident Sue Stewart filed to run against incumbent David Carson for Pos. 7.
The three other city races for mayor, city council Pos. 1 and 3 will all be uncontested
John Marchione, who began his first term as mayor in 2008, announced his re-election plans in April.
Incumbent City Council members Hank Myers (Pos. 1) and Hank Margeson (Pos. 3) will also not be challenged.
At the county level, Metropolitan King County councilwoman Jane Hague, who announced her re-election in April will go up against Richard Mitchell, a Mercer Island resident and King County Housing Authority Commissioner. Hague represents District 6, which includes parts of Redmond.
There are three seats up for election for the Lake Washington School District board of directors — all uncontested.
Redmond resident Siri Bliesner has filed to run for District No. 5, currently held by Ravi Shahani, who did not file with King County for re-election. District No. 5 includes schools in Redmond.
Jackie Pendergrass, the current board president, has filed for re-election in District No. 1. Initially, Pendergrass had a challenger in Kirkland resident Cynthia Hudson, but Hudson dropped out of the race.
District No. 2 director Christopher Carlson has also filed for re-election, but has no opponents. Carlson was elected to the school board in November of 2007.
The Redmond Reporter sent out questionnaires to the four contested City Council races. Their answers are below to help Redmond residents in their decision-making process.
POSITION 5
Tom Flynn
• Age: 48.
• Marital status: Married.
• Children: Son and daughter.
• Education: Doctorate, Pacifica Graduate Institute, 2005. Master of Public Health, Tulane University, 1988. Bachelor’s of Science Chemical Engineering, Montana State University, 1985.
• Occupation: Compliance Consultant, Puget Sound Energy, Bellevue.
• Campaign Web Site: www.tom flynnforcouncil.com
• Campaign e-mail: flynnforcouncil @live.com
• Top 3 endorsements: Highest Rated “Very Good” by Municipal League, King County Conservation Voters, Eastside Business Alliance.
• What will be your top three priorities if elected?
Over the next four years, I want to protect and promote the city’s natural environment, including rivers, parks, and trails. I would like to see parks developed in underserved areas of the city and in the downtown and Overlake.
Secondly, I will work on diversifying our local economy and to help local businesses thrive through a partnership in economic development. I’ll work on improving transportation in the city, and help to make our streets able to handle many modes of transportation. I will continue to advocate with regional leaders to extend light rail to downtown Redmond. I will also work to see that our planned urban centers in Downtown and Overlake continue to be developed in accordance with the city’s vision.
Thirdly, I will work to preserve our single family neighborhoods by directing Redmond’s share of regional growth to the future urban centers. I will also work to see that our neighborhoods are connected to the city through the Neighborhood Network program, and public events like Redmond Lights and Derby Days.
It is also vital for the city to be fiscally responsible. I support the Budgeting by Priorities process to ensure the city spends and invests our tax dollars wisely.
• What are the three biggest challenges facing the City of Redmond in 2011?
Transportation is a continuing challenge in Redmond and will be for years to come. The downtown street system is slated for a badly needed restructuring over the next few years. This will at times be a challenge for those traveling on our city streets. Mass transit will be a continuing challenge especially with Metro’s current budget woes. Also, the light rail is funded into Overlake and N.E. 40th Street but not yet into downtown Redmond, so the city needs to continue to advocate for the extension of light rail into the downtown. Downtown parking is a growing challenge that will need to be carefully managed as the urban center takes shape.
Another big challenge is the infrastructure work needed to support the development of the downtown and Overlake urban centers. This includes investing in stormwater systems to protect our local waterways, as well as having a robust wellhead protection program to protect the city’s drinking water wells. One challenge with these programs is how to structure the financing. It is also a timing issue with the stormwater systems, to ensure they are in place to support the anticipated downtown development.
Lastly, the current economic climate has impacted our local business community just like others in the region. One indicator of this is the Chamber of Commerce’s significant reduction in members during the downturn. The city is currently collaborating with local business leaders to help address these short term issues, but also to develop an economic development plan to help the local economy diversify in the long term.
Joel L. Wright
• Age: 51.
• Marital status: Married.
• Children: Five children, one grandchild.
• Education: Master of Taxation, Portland State University; Bachelor of Science in Accounting, University of Utah.
• Occupation: Tax Accountant; Director of Tax Controversies, Microsoft.
• Campaign Web Site: www.WrightForRedmond.com
• Campaign e-mail: WrightForRedmond@hotmail.com
• Top 3 endorsements: I purposefully avoided seeking public endorsements from any organization to avoid misleading political labels, to preserve dmy independence and to not be obliged to any organization, only the residents of Redmond.
What will be your top three priorities if elected?
• Budgeting by Priorities – The City of Redmond’s financial priorities should be responsive to the community’s essential needs, while considering existing economic conditions. Ensure transparent, rational revenue structure and efficient use of City resources.
• Safe, Quality Neighborhoods – Ensure first responders (police, fire, and EMT services) are sufficiently funded and properly prioritized to provide effective service. Well maintained roads, sidewalks, parks and infrastructure. Inspire civic connection through community service and emergency preparedness
• Strong Economy – Encourage coordinated efforts of government, business, non-government organizations and individual residents to ensure Redmond continues as a diverse, productive community and provides opportunity for constant improvement.
What are the three biggest challenges facing the City of Redmond in 2011?
• Ensuring that the City of Redmond obtains and manages sufficient resources, given the current economic conditions, to be able to provide to the community the essential deliverables that the City has historically provided.
• Managing growth and development of housing and infrastructure while encouraging business without compromising on safety, opportunity and quality of life.
• Identifying and implementing efficiently and effectively the best, most reasonable multi-modal solutions for mobility both within the city and for traversing through the city.
POSITION 5
David Carson
• Age: 45.
• Marital status: Married.
• Children: None.
• Education: Bachelor’s of Science in Business Management, Oregon State University.
• Occupation: Senior Software Test Engineer
• Campaign Web Site: www.Carson4Council.com.
• Campaign e-mail: david@Carson4Council.com
• Top 3 endorsements: Eastside Business Alliance, Attorney General Rob McKenna, Washington Association of Realtors.
• What will be your top three priorities if elected?
My top three priorities will be to keep taxes as low as possible (especially until we emerge from economic recession), work to lower barriers to entry for small businesses (streamlined permitting and licensing) and lastly to push for an increased contribution from the general fund to the capital fund for infrastructural improvements.
• What are the three biggest challenges facing the City of Redmond in 2011?
Clearly the city still has revenue challenges, so staying within our means is the first one. Managing growth in the urban centers that is respectful of current residents and also of those making the investments is the second large challenge I see in Redmond. The last would be continuing to plan the infrastructure for Overlake and Downtown to make sure it takes care of the needs of new residents (businesses and residential) while not breaking the bank.
Sue Stewart
• Age: 59.
• Marital status: Married.
• Children: Two sons.
• Education: Some college (completed junior year) .
• Occupation: Transit Safety Officer, King County Metro Transit
• Campaign Web Site: www.suestewart4council.com
• Campaign e-mail: suestewart4council@gmail.com
• Top 3 endorsements: Washington Conservation Voters, Cascade Bicycle Club and Redmond City Council member Kim Allen.
• What will be your top three priorities if elected?
Communication: To refine and find new ways to engage the community so government gets the best from our citizens, and they feel connected and dialed into the decision making at City Hall.
Growth: We need to continue efforts that growth in Redmond doesn’t overwhelm our abilities to support transportation and infrastructure while understanding that growth is a function of a viable and healthy economy that supports our community’s basic needs.
Mobility: We need to continue to improve mobility in Redmond. As we have grown, demands for transit and transit alternatives have grown. The economic stresses on King County to provide continued services to Seattle and the larger region are being threatened. We need to find new ways to fulfill the transportation needs of our community. Redmond and the Eastside cannot afford to lose the very services that enable us to provide efficient and sustainable transportation that connects our residents to jobs and recreation.
• What are the three biggest challenges facing the City of Redmond in 2011?
Our biggest challenge is transportation. I have years of transit experience and I know that finding revenue sources is THE challenge. Transportation is vital to our economic future and key to reducing our carbon footprint. Redmond needs leadership at the regional level, where the dollars are allocated and I am ready to step in and fight for Redmond’s share. We need to leverage our own tax dollars wisely to build the infrastructure we need to keep Redmond moving. I have experience prioritizing these challenging decisions.
I am also committed to protecting our growing economy. We want more choices in dining, entertainment, retail and jobs. Business wants fair and predictable regulation that allows a balance of the interests of residents and commerce. I want to make it easy for new business to come to Redmond, and to retain the great economic base we already have with ample parking, transit options and pedestrian amenities that allow Redmond shoppers to park once and walk to their destinations.
I am also committed to a sustainable Redmond. We do that by careful and smart growth; I have championed rewarding green building in the city, helping Redmond be a leader in reducing its carbon footprint and fought to keep our beautiful green environment healthy for generations to come. Focusing growth in our urban centers protects our established neighborhoods to insure that our children can enjoy the same quality of life in Redmond that we value.
