DARRINGTON — The two candidates for mayor in this town of 1,400 say they want to up the number of local job opportunities so people don’t have to venture across the valley for a paycheck.
They also hope to continue fixing outdated infrastructure, add new activities for children and teens, and improve on public safety.
Mayor Dan Rankin is running against Todd Ronning. Rankin aims to land his second term as mayor. It would be Ronning’s first time as an elected official.
Rankin, 54, grew up in Darrington and moved back permanently in 2000. Her served on the town council for eight years before being elected as mayor in a close 2011 election.
The town has multiple projects in the works and he wants to see them through, Rankin said.
Boosting the economy in the Stillaguamish Valley and providing more resources for families has been a focal point for local leaders since the Oso mudslide in March 2014 killed 43 people and temporarily cut Darrington off from the rest of Snohomish County.
Rankin’s to-do list includes updating infrastructure like roads, parks and the water system, he said. He also aims to work with the county and other cities to draw more diverse businesses to the area. He wants to find ways to get people working in the woods again, whether it’s in the timber industry, forestry or adventure and recreation. He also sees niches for technology and tourism businesses in his hometown.
“Being part of town politics for 12 years gives me the background and knowledge of how government works and the processes that have to be adhered to,” he said. “These things are important for Darrington to be heard, recognized and supported.”
Ronning, 52, has lived in Darrington for three years. He grew up in Marysville. A retired U.S. Army sergeant, he said he still lives to serve and protect his community.
“I want to make things better and make Darrington stronger,” Ronning said.
His biggest priority is public safety. He’d like to have a dedicated police department space in Darrington for the Snohomish County Sheriff’s deputies who serve the area. There are issues everywhere with drug abuse and related crimes, he said, and he wants to focus on quelling those problems in Darrington. He also believes that more local job options are key to improving quality of life.
“We need to get our people working here in town,” he said.
He’d like to keep children and teens in town, too, by coordinating with organizations like the YMCA to expand programs and possibly start a youth center.
The Darrington mayor serves a four-year term, as do members of the town council.
Three council seats also are up for election this year. Current council members Judy O’Connor, Kevin Ashe and Mary Requa are running unopposed to keep their seats.
Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.
Name: Dan Rankin
Age: 54
Experience: Current mayor of Darrington, eight years on Darrington Town Council, owner of specialty sawmill
Email: danrankinmilling@frontier.com
Name: Todd Ronning
Age: 52
Experience: Retired U.S. Army sergeant, former North Carolina fireman
Email: tronning43@yahoo.com
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