Nehring's worth is proven

Kelly Wright, the challenger in this year's race for Marysville mayor, says he's a firm believer in choices. He lives that credo in his current job, training teams to help set up local governments in Afghanistan. In Marysville, he says he's offering voters an alternative to a closed political establishment.

He has a point. The current mayor, Jon Nehring, was appointed to the post by a unanimous City Council 13 months ago when Dennis Kendall resigned. The appointment gave Nehring, who had served on the council for more than eight years, a clear leg up going into an election year.

Nehring has, however, used that head start to show he has the skill set, the temperament and vision to effectively lead what has become Snohomish County's second largest city. We encourage voters to elect him to a full term as mayor.

Yes, Nehring's years in city government make him an insider. They also make him intimately familiar with the city's past and present. He's using that knowledge to aim the city toward a brighter future, one where infrastructure investments pay off with family wage manufacturing jobs in the north end, traffic flows more efficiently with the addition of an interchange at 156th Street and I-5, and a cleaned up waterfront spurs private investment in a revitalized downtown.

Wright thinks manufacturing jobs are "a mirage," that Marysville will remain a bedroom community for at least the next decade. That could become a self-fulfilling prophesy. The potential for light-industrial development on 700 acres near Smokey Point seems real enough to pursue, and Nehring will try.

Nehring knows the city can't do it all alone. He has established strong working relationships with leaders from the county, other cities and, importantly, the neighboring Tulalip Tribes, relationships that can help leverage state and federal assistance for infrastructure projects. His positive regional imprint is reflected in the long, bipartisan list of his endorsements by leaders throughout the county.

Relationships within the city are critical too, of course. Nehring keeps a high profile in the community, keeping close contact with the school district, YMCA, Boys and Girls Club and other institutions.

He also has demonstrated a serious and appropriately conservative approach to budgeting. Like most local governments in this economy, Marysville was headed into the red not long ago because of falling tax revenues. Under Nehring's guidance, tough decisions have been made to reduce staffing in places and reserves are growing.

To be sure, Wright is a highly credible challenger. His diplomatic and leadership background is impressive, and he could serve as a capable mayor.

Marysville already has that, though, in Nehring.