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