When the Everett City Council was considering who to select to fill the vacancy left by former council member Shannon Affholter last November, the first round of voting split, with three of six votes for Rich Anderson and two for Judy Tuohy.
Each, fellow classmates and 1972 graduates of Everett High School, obviously impressed the council with their records of civic engagement, thoughtfulness and commitment to the city. In the end, the council chose Anderson to fill the Position 7 seat. Election rules required Anderson to defend his seat in the next election for the term’s remaining year. In May, Tuohy declared her candidacy for the seat’s final year.
Anderson, a certified public account and owner of his own firm for 30 years, provided the council for the past several months — as he has for several civic organizations — valuable financial knowledge as it resolved a projected budget deficit for 2015. In talking about the challenges the city faces in addressing problems with homelessness, addiction and mental illness, he also demonstrates compassion and an understanding of why those issues can’t be ignored.
Tuohy, executive director of Everett’s Schack Art Center, offers the council similar business acumen with 24 years’ experience in business administration and economic development.
While there are few areas of disagreement between the candidates, the Herald Editorial Board believes Tuohy deserves the opportunity to show what she can do with the term’s remaining year.
Tuohy, as does Anderson, supports the work of the Community Streets Initiative, and says she looks forward to reviewing its recommendations on social issues. Without that effort, it will be difficult for Everett to attract the new residents and businesses the city needs to generate revenue and revitalize itself.
Tuohy said she believes the City Council, in resolving the city’s most recent budget issues, turned too quickly to increasing taxes and fees, specifically the decision to increase utility taxes. The 2015 budget was balanced with about $6 million in new revenue along with about $3 million in cuts. Tuohy says the city should have made a greater effort to identify potential cuts before taking the easier step of raising taxes, specifically those that don’t require voter approval.
With potential budget deficits looming through 2018, the city will have to revisit the issue of expenses and revenue. It will require resolve from the council to make necessary cuts and win concessions from its unions and the confidence of its residents.
Tuohy appears ready to show that resolve.
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