Wittinger, Conner, Wright face off for Terrace Council seat

Published 6:49 am Monday, March 3, 2008

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — City Councilman Doug Wittinger has to fend off two challengers to continue bringing “openness” to the Mountlake Terrace City Council. Challengers Kyoko Wright and Gerald Conner said they want to offer a spirit of cooperation and thoughtful decision making to the city.

On Sept. 20, voters will decide which two candidates will advance to the general election.

Wittinger, a Mountlake Terrace resident for about 13 years, is eager to serve a second term. He said he wants to continue being a voice for the people.

“I am not afraid to ask questions,” said Wittinger, a senior engineering specialist at the Northshore Utility District. “I have shown a willingness to work with my fellow council members to resolve tough issues.”

Kyoko Wright, a real estate agent and Mountlake Terrace resident of 21 years, said she is the kind of person who thinks before she speaks.

“I don’t make a hasty decision,” said Wright, a member of the city’s Planning Commission. “I like to look at both sides.”

Gerald Conner, a Mountlake Terrace resident for 25 years, said he wants to bring a fresh approach by getting the council to come together and focus.

“I feel I can bring something new to the council,” said Conner, a Group Health optical technician. “When issues come up, we could deal with those issues and move forward.”

Voters will have to consider each candidate’s experience as well as their stance on issues.

Wittinger previously served on the city’s Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment, Finance Committee and Mountlake Terrace 50th Birthday Committee as well as past president of Local 1063 (AFSCME). His political experience includes the Seashore Transportation Forum, Sound Transit Policy Forum, Snohomish County Cities Alliance and Puget Sound Regional Council.

His opponent, Wright, 55, is a member and past president of Snohomish County Camano Association of Realtors and member of the Board of Directors of Washington Realtors. She also volunteers with the University of Washington School of Drama’s Advisory Committee.

Conner, 62, is a member of the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission, Friends of the Library board and Mountlake Terrace Garden Club. He previously served on the Mountlake Terrace Housing Authority Commission and the city’s Blue Ribbon Citizen Survey Committee.

The three candidates also are pondering how downtown redevelopment can energize the city without sacrificing its small-town character. For her downtown vision, Wright favors public transportation and encouraging people to walk. She would also like to see buildings taller than three stories in the downtown area.

“Growth is going to happen so I think we should plan on it,” Wright said. “If we say no to everything, nothing will get accomplished.”

Wittinger favors a three-story height limit in the downtown area. He is also worried that downtown redevelopment will put a strain on city’s streets.

Conner entertained the idea of a trolley that could ferry people between the Park &Ride lots along Interstate 5 and the city’s downtown center. He also hopes the downtown will become more lively, affordable and livable by bringing in eateries, apartments and scenery.

“We have to come up with some viable options, like growing up a little bit,” said Conner. “I think that might be one of our options.”

Wittinger said he wants to do more to control city spending because the city used reserves funds to balance the city’s 2005-2006 budget. Wittinger proposed a hiring freeze and out sourcing some city services to resolve any budget shortfall. Conner and Wright want to identify and fund the city’s top priorities first in order to balance the budget.

“We need to do something,” Wright said. “We need to look at what is really needed in this city and what we can start eliminating.”