Families, safety and growth are common themes of Lake Stevens council candidates

LAKE STEVENS — Three political newcomers seeking the same City Council seat are focused on roads, parks and jobs as they plan for a once small city that continues to grow.

Two local business owners and a corrections sergeant are vying for seat No. 5 on the Lake Stevens City Council. The two candidates who get the most votes in the Aug. 4 primary advance to the general election in November. Suzanne Quigley, who holds the position, hasn’t filed for re-election, leaving the door open for candidates who have no elected experience but bring a list of goals for their city.

Jeffrey Koon, owner of Bacari Homes in Lake Stevens, aims to help the growing city balance residential neighborhoods and local businesses. His priorities include creating safe sidewalks and paths, especially near schools, and fixing up parks around the lake to draw more tourists and improve recreation options.

He also hopes to create tax breaks and other incentives for small businesses to support more local jobs and a greater variety of shopping, dining and other activities.

The 45-year-old has lived in Lake Stevens for a little more than 20 years with his wife and two sons. He said he was inspired to run for City Council because he wants to see the city grow responsibly by keeping up with services and providing variety in housing, recreation and businesses.

“I felt that it was time for growth in a positive direction,” he said. “I saw the seat open up and rather than complaining about things I thought, ‘Why not do something, be part of the solution?’ ”

Rauchel McDaniel, 42, said she is looking to help the city grow in a way that welcomes families. She owns the Lake Stevens Mini Mart and Gourmet Cup Espresso with her husband. She raised her two sons, who now attend the University of Washington, in Lake Stevens. Like them, she was born and raised in Lake Stevens, as was her mother. “I know there is going to be growth and I want to have a voice in that,” she said. “Being that I raised my kids here, my focus is really on making Lake Stevens a safe, positive place to raise a family.”

She wants to create more recreation opportunities, like parks and walking paths, to keep up with the increasing number of people in the area. She also feels it’s important to keep the city safe and clean. She applauded work that’s already being done by police and firefighters and said she would make sure they get the support they need.

Michael Boe has a particular interest in public safety. He’s making his second attempt at getting on the Lake Stevens City Council after losing to Councilman Marcus Tageant in 2013.

Boe moved to Lake Stevens in 2002 with his wife and daughter. The 65-year-old is a retired U.S. Air Force master sergeant and works as a corrections sergeant at the Monroe Correctional Complex.

He wants to focus on the city’s infrastructure, especially roads. He’d like to make Highway 9 and intersections along it safer. He also aims to bring more affordable housing to Lake Stevens and increase the number of employers who offer family wage jobs with benefits.

“The City Council is really business-oriented but I think it’s really important not to forget about the people,” he said.

Boe said he was inspired to run for office to honor a friend and coworker who was murdered, he said. Boe was one of the first people to find corrections officer Jayme Biendl after she was strangled to death by an inmate in January 2011.

Though she wasn’t from Lake Stevens, her death made him think about what he could do to help in his own community.

“What inspired me was keeping her voice alive,” he said. “I have to do that.”

Three of Lake Stevens’ seven City Council seats are up for grabs this year, but seat No. 5 is the only contested race. Two current councilmen, John Spencer and Marcus Tageant, also are competing for the mayor’s job. Mayor Vern Little has not filed for re-election.

Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com

The job: A four-year term on the seven-person Lake Stevens City Council. The position is non-partisan and pays $500 a month and $75 per meeting, up to four meetings a month.

The candidates:

Jeffrey Koon

Age: 45

Residence: Lake Stevens

Experience: General contractor, owner of Bacari Homes Inc., school district volunteer, former volunteer firefighter

Email: bacarihomes@msn.com

Rauchel McDaniel

Age: 42

Residence: Lake Stevens

Experience: Owner of Lake Stevens Mini Mart and Gourmet Cup Espresso.

Email: lsccmcdaniel@gmail.com

Michael Boe

Age: 65

Residence: Lake Stevens

Experience: Retired U.S. Air Force master sergeant, corrections sergeant at Monroe Correctional Complex.

Email: kboe@aol.com

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

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.