Edmonds City Council candidates Mike Nelson and Al Rutledge will meet on the Nov. 3 general-election ballot for the last two years of the four-year term that former Councilman Strom Peterson won in 2013 and that Nelson now holds by appointment.
The position is one of five Edmonds Council positions on the November ballot.
Nelson and Rutledge recently sent statements introducing themselves to voters. Here are their statements, in the order that the candidates’ names will appear on the ballot and in the voters’ pamphlet:
Edmonds City Council Position #2 (two-year unexpired term):
Al Rutledge: I was born in Seattle, graduated from Blanchet High School and attended Everett Community College.
In 1971, I bought a small retail delivery business from my father and in 1986 moved to Edmonds. In 1987 I began attending meetings of the Edmonds City Council and retired from the business after selling it in 1993.
When it became evident that progress wasn’t happening in the city, I started volunteering for city projects such as the annexation of the Edmonds Library into the Sno-Isle Library System. I was subsequently commended by former Mayor Gary Haakenson on behalf of both the City of Edmonds and Friends of the Edmonds Library.
In 1966, I started organizing food drives in Mountlake Terrace and today continue to work with the Edmonds Food Bank and other food banks in the area.
I am a member of many local organizations, such as Save Our Log Cabin; City Park Recreation Survey; Friend of Athletic Fields; Edmonds Citizens Awareness; Edmonds Senior Kiwanis Club; Edmonds South Snohomish County Historical Society, and attend meetings of other groups.
After many years of just attending meetings, in 1997, I decided to run for the City Council. I didn’t get far which led me to try many more times for different positions because I don’t believe a candidate should run for elective office without an opponent.
Mike Nelson: As your Council member, it has been a privilege to serve you.
I was appointed to the Edmonds City Council in March to replace Strom Peterson who was elected to the State House. Prior to my appointment, I served on the Planning Board and the Mayor’s Climate Protection Committee.
I graduated from George Washington University and Gonzaga University Law School. Like many of you, my wife and I choose to raise our children here because of the wonderful neighborhoods, parks, schools, and gorgeous waterfront.
On the Council, I have supported park improvements, more sidewalks, greener buildings, and voted for additional funding to repair our roads. There is still much more to be done. I am running to retain my seat because I believe Edmonds is a special place and I want to keep it that way.
My priorities are:
- Revitalize Highway 99 corridor to attract new businesses, more local jobs, and enhance transit access.
- Protect our parks and critical habitats and utilize more recycling and renewable energy.
- Create more sidewalks and bike connections to increase the health and livability of our community.
My endorsements include State Senators Chase, Liias; State Representatives Peterson, Ortiz-Self, Ryu; Edmonds Mayor Earling; Snohomish County Labor Council; Washington Conservation Voters; Sierra Club; your Firefighters; and many others.
I would be honored to have your vote in the upcoming election.
Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com.
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