Historic downtown Monroe’s future a campaign issue

Over the past three decades, Monroe has grown from a sleepy town with its landmark single downtown traffic light on U.S. 2 into a bustling city of 17,000 people with both the benefits and problems that come with growth.

The future of the city will be determined in part by the voters’ choice between two candidates for mayor.

Ed Davis, whose military experience includes duties as an attack helicopter pilot, has served on the City Council for two years. Geoffrey Thomas is a former City Council member whose six years in that role ended in 2009.

Among the issues being discussed in the race are the future of Monroe’s historic downtown, continuing economic development and public safety.

Davis said he decided to run for mayor when the current mayor, Robert Zimmerman, decided not to seek re-election. The mayor and council had to make difficult budget decision during the recession, when city debt hit $11.5 million, Davis said.

That has been reduced this year by $6.5 million, he said. Davis said he tells people: “Do you realize how meaningful that is? That’s one of my goals, to continue on and to come out of debt within a few years.”

Davis said the city has not raised property taxes for the past two years and his goal would be to continue that for the next four years. “With the revenues now coming into the city, I think we can do that,” he said.

As one step toward easing traffic bottlenecks in the city, Davis said the city hopes to begin work next year on a new east-west road north of U.S. 2. It would run from Tierne Place to Woods Creek Road and then link up again with the with U.S. 2.

Davis said that as mayor, he would support redeveloping and bringing new life to the city’s historic downtown area.

In visiting cities throughout the state, he said that the older part of town is usually the heart and soul of any city. “It’s more of that hometown feel,” he said.

Yet Davis said that the newer developments on the north side of U.S. 2, including a Walmart scheduled to open next year, help bring people and potential customers to the city. Downtown businesses “can and do capitalize on that,” he said.

Davis said he continues to oppose red light cameras in the city. He said he thinks that safety can be improved in school zones through steps such as signs with flashing lights and radar to tell drivers how fast they’re going. “That works,” he said.

Thomas said he believes his experience as a legislative analyst for the Snohomish County Council has provided him experience with many of the issues faced by local governments, including planning, redevelopment and budgeting.

Thomas said during his campaign he has visited 2,000 homes, giving potential voters a chance to ask questions.

“That demonstrates the way I would approach things with the council as mayor,” he said. “It would be to try to find common ground across all seven council members, not just four to try to push an agenda.”

Thomas said he would like to see more investment in the city’s downtown. One way to do that would be to redirect a portion of the state’s business and occupation tax to invest in such efforts through a program called the Main Street Tax Credit.

“I think it’s important to talk to the downtown businesses and landowners and say, ‘What are you willing to do to bring investment to the downtown?’” Thomas said. “There are people who live within walking distance of the downtown who don’t feel there are safe walking routes to get to dinner or go to the bakery.”

Thomas said he decided to leave the City Council in 2009 so he could instead serve the community in different ways, such as being a scout leader and lacrosse coach.

If elected, he said he would like to focus on economic development and building a vibrant economy. The development should be compatible with the community’s vision while providing an opportunity to reinvest in the city’s roads, parks and schools, he said.

“Part of that is also addressing the issues of crime and homelessness and improving community policing to help build and enhance public safety in Monroe,” Thomas said.

Thomas said he worked in Olympia as a planning commissioner and saw how its port properties were redeveloped. “I see parallels with downtown Monroe,” he said. “They’re all properties that are ripe for redevelopment.”

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.

Meet the candidates

About the job: At stake is a four-year term as the mayor of Monroe. The mayor’s duties include overseeing departments and employees, providing general supervision of city government, and presiding over council meetings. The job pays $3,000 a month.

Ed C. Davis

Age: 58

Experience: Previously served as an Army aviation medical evacuation pilot and officer, now works as a surface security inspector for the federal Transportation Security Administration. Serves on the City Council.

Website: www.edavis4mayor.com

Geoffrey Thomas

Age: 43

Experience: Former Monroe City Council member and mayor pro-tem, and a planning commissioner in Olympia. Works as senior legislative analyst for the Snohomish County Council.

Website: www.facebook.com/GeoffreyOThomas

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.