Published: Thursday, October 13, 2011
Herald endorsement / Edmonds mayor
Earling's skills are needed
Edmonds voters want to see results, not drama. That's how mayoral candidate Dave Earling describes the need for change in city hall.
We agree, and believe Earling is just the kind of leader who can deliver that kind of change.
Earling, a former three-term city councilman, is challenging current Mayor Mike Cooper, who was appointed to the position last year after Gary Haakenson left to become deputy county executive. Cooper is a seasoned lawmaker, having served in the Legislature and on the Snohomish County Council, but recent events have raised serious questions about his administrative abilities.
His executive administrative assistant, Kimberly Cole, who also worked for him at the county council, is on paid leave pending an investigation over a complaint she filed alleging a hostile work environment. A settlement Cooper negotiated with her was rejected by the City Council last week after city attorneys said the mayor didn't have authority to make such a deal. That, Cooper said, was a reversal of their earlier advice.
The voiding of the settlement also erased Cole's resignation, which came three weeks ago and on the same day Cooper fired well-regarded human resources director Debi Humann, without explanation.
That cloud, and budget woes that have the city asking voters to pass three property-tax levies this fall to maintain basic services, suggest the need for new leadership.
Earling has the background, backbone and people skills to steer Edmonds in a more positive, prosperous direction.
His combination of business and public-sector experience, and leadership roles in a number of nonprofit agencies, give him the administrative skills necessary to manage city departments and a $32 million budget. He knows how to set priorities and make tough choices.
His background in real estate and recent work deciding land-use cases on the state Growth Management Hearings Board figure to serve him well as the city plans new development in key neighborhoods, including the waterfront. Such development is critical to creating new, sustainable revenue streams to support city services. Earling vows both to encourage it and to oversee it closely, in consultation with the City Council and with public input, to ensure it meets the city's high standards.
One of Earling's most pertinent traits is his ability to work constructively through difficult problems, building consensus by focusing first on areas of agreement. It's an approach that's sorely needed in a city with too much recent history of bitter political fighting. Disagreement isn't necessarily unhealthy, but in Edmonds, it has too often been a barrier to progress.
Earling's leadership skills offer the best chance of clearing such roadblocks.
We agree, and believe Earling is just the kind of leader who can deliver that kind of change.
Earling, a former three-term city councilman, is challenging current Mayor Mike Cooper, who was appointed to the position last year after Gary Haakenson left to become deputy county executive. Cooper is a seasoned lawmaker, having served in the Legislature and on the Snohomish County Council, but recent events have raised serious questions about his administrative abilities.
His executive administrative assistant, Kimberly Cole, who also worked for him at the county council, is on paid leave pending an investigation over a complaint she filed alleging a hostile work environment. A settlement Cooper negotiated with her was rejected by the City Council last week after city attorneys said the mayor didn't have authority to make such a deal. That, Cooper said, was a reversal of their earlier advice.
The voiding of the settlement also erased Cole's resignation, which came three weeks ago and on the same day Cooper fired well-regarded human resources director Debi Humann, without explanation.
That cloud, and budget woes that have the city asking voters to pass three property-tax levies this fall to maintain basic services, suggest the need for new leadership.
Earling has the background, backbone and people skills to steer Edmonds in a more positive, prosperous direction.
His combination of business and public-sector experience, and leadership roles in a number of nonprofit agencies, give him the administrative skills necessary to manage city departments and a $32 million budget. He knows how to set priorities and make tough choices.
His background in real estate and recent work deciding land-use cases on the state Growth Management Hearings Board figure to serve him well as the city plans new development in key neighborhoods, including the waterfront. Such development is critical to creating new, sustainable revenue streams to support city services. Earling vows both to encourage it and to oversee it closely, in consultation with the City Council and with public input, to ensure it meets the city's high standards.
One of Earling's most pertinent traits is his ability to work constructively through difficult problems, building consensus by focusing first on areas of agreement. It's an approach that's sorely needed in a city with too much recent history of bitter political fighting. Disagreement isn't necessarily unhealthy, but in Edmonds, it has too often been a barrier to progress.
Earling's leadership skills offer the best chance of clearing such roadblocks.
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