Snohomish candidates square off

Published 9:00 pm Sunday, October 23, 2005

SNOHOMISH – Voters will choose four of eight candidates for the City Council in the Nov. 8 general election.

Differences among those candidates, narrowed down from 12 in primary elections in September, are best shown in their stances on growth.

One end of the political spectrum hopes to preserve the town’s aesthetics and character with regulations. The other end wants to reduce government intervention and recruit new businesses.

Position 4

There are many elements that contrast R.C. “Swede” Johnson with Karen Guzak.

Johnson has lived in town for 57 years; Guzak moved full time to Snohomish from Seattle in 2000.

Johnson, a salesman at Bickford Motors in town, said he works with builders and developers. He supports growth, and many business people encouraged him to run, he said.

If elected, he would work to repeal the new sign law, which he said is not friendly to businesses.

Guzak, an artist and business owner, said she supports managed growth and wants to see the city balance economic growth while enhancing quality of life.

Guzak, who is running for elected public office for the first time, said if elected she would like to start a roundtable discussion with local businesses to get their input on city issues.

Johnson, who has served on the Snohomish County Council and Snohomish School Board, said his experience and knowledge in local politics give him an edge over Guzak.

Johnson said he has dealt with contentious issues and knows how to listen to opponents: “You try to remove all the emotions from all levels,” he said.

Position 5

Rebecca Loveless, who was appointed to the council in March after Cameron Bailey resigned, said she has a calming influence on the council.

“I’m a person who listens a lot and talks a little,” said Loveless, an advertising manager.

She said she enjoys helping residents with small things such as shielding a business’s flashing light from a neighboring resident. But she said she has no illusion that as a council member she can make everyone happy. She supports managed growth.

Loveless said she especially supports the new design standards for development outside the historic district.

“People will know what they are getting when they vote for me,” she said.

Randy Hamlin, making his first attempt for elected public office, said he doesn’t hold an extreme vision for the city. “I bring independence. I’m not aligned with any groups,” he said. “That’s valuable for our town.”

For example, he said he agrees with most parts of the design standards, but believes some parts need to be revisited.

Hamlin said his job at Philips Medical in Bothell involves making decisions on multimillion-dollar deals, adding he’s a careful decision-maker.

“I look for long-term in addition to short-term benefits for the city,” he said.

Position 6

The race between incumbents Doug Thorndike and Liz Loomis is a barometer of political divisions in town.

Loomis, appointed by the council as mayor in January 2004, has spearheaded efforts to create tools against indiscriminate growth. She voted for the new design standards and sign law.

Loomis said what makes her the best candidate is “the vision I have for the community, specifically the community that grows with grace.”

As a majority of the council passed those measures, Thorndike, a former mayor, has gritted his teeth. Support for individual property rights and free market for businesses has often been his driving issue.

“Being a minority for two years makes someone a little bit uncomfortable,” said Thorndike, who gave up his council seat and filed to take on Loomis.

Thorndike, who has lived in town since the late 1970s, said he is against micromanaged government regulations.

Loomis said her strength as a leader lies in soliciting community input on issues and delivering results to residents.

Loomis, who ran for state representative in 2000, said she’s determined to finish a four-year term on the City Council if re-elected.

“I’m committed to this community,” she said.

Thorndike said he holds no ambitions for any other elected offices. “I’m going to focus all my attention on Snohomish,” he said. “I’m here for Snohomish.”

Position 7

Dean Randall and Chris Harper are running for the position, which became available after incumbent Chris Lundvall opted not to file for re-election.

Harper said he is committed to two things: He would vote against an increase of utility rates. He would make sure that law enforcement would get enough funding.

Other than that, he’s not married to any issue, said Harper, a union leader. He’s never run for an elected public office, which he views as an advantage. “I don’t have a track record,” he said. “I don’t have any political luggage.”

A Snohomish High School graduate, Harper, said that he would work to make the community an affordable place to live and to reduce tax burdens.

“To broaden our tax base is the most important thing,” he said.

Randall, a former city councilman, said he wants to use his work experience at Verizon to make city government more efficient.

“I deal with (government) regulations every day,” he said.

Randall said he supports measures such as the new design standards for managing growth.

“I don’t think I favor lessening current standards,” he said, adding the city needs to better inform businesses of requirements and regulations.

Randall, who moved to town from Puyallup in 1983, said he wants Snohomish to maintain its historic character as he plans to retire here.