Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Tuesday, October 23, 2007 Two want the top job in Edmonds Incumbent Mayor Gary Haakenson wants to return, but foe Mauri Moore says he shouldn't. By Scott Pesznecker Herald Writer EDMONDS -- Edmonds Mayor Gary Haakenson says he has more work to do. City Councilwoman Mauri Moore says he's had his chance. On Nov. 6, voters in Edmonds will get the chance to whether they want to stick with Haakenson, the two-term incumbent mayor, or replace him at City Hall with Moore, who's been on the City Council since 2004. The mayor is paid an annual salary of $101,400 to oversee the city of 40,560 people -- the second-largest city in Snoho­mish County. Edmonds has 271 full-time employees and a budget of $70.6 million. Haakenson and Moore both recognize the need to pump more cash into the city's budget. Revenue growth has been stagnant, while expenses have climbed. To reverse the trend, Haakenson -- co-founder of Everett-based Zumiez Inc. -- wants to promote small retail centers in neighborhoods, as well as plan for more commercial development in downtown Edmonds and along Highway 99. Haakenson said he also communicates regularly with city department managers about how they can save money and provide more efficient services. "I've got wonderful staff members in place who are highly qualified who are leading the city through difficult financial times, and they are doing a good job of it," Haakenson said. Moore said Edmonds needs a strategic budgeting plan to map out the city's finances over the next five or six years. Moore also wants to make it easier for Edmonds residents to get permits to do work on their homes. The city would be better served by a mayor who hasn't been in office as long as Haakenson, Moore said. "He's given his eight years to the city, he's given his skills as good as he could give them, and now it's time for somebody else to give it a shot," she said. She has more than three decades of television broadcasting experience. Haakenson is confident about his chances in the upcoming election. He won 56 percent of the vote in the three-way August primary election with Moore and city engineer Don Fiene. Moore said she is optimistic. "I think my chances are good, based on what I hear when I'm door-belling, but of course the ultimate poll is Nov. 6," she said. Reporter Scott Pesznecker: 425-339-3436 or spesznecker@heraldnet.com.

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