Introductory statements from more Lynnwood Council candidates

Published 9:37 am Friday, June 19, 2015

Lynnwood City Council incumbent Benjamin Goodwin faces challengers Chris Frizzell and Douglas Jones on the Aug. 4 primary-election ballot. Jones, however, has suspended his campaign for the office, but his name will still appear on the ballot because he made the decision too late to withdraw his name from the ballot.

Frizzell, Goodwin and Jones recently sent statements introducing themselves to voters. Their statements are here. Statements from a contest involving council incumbent Loren Simmonds and challengers Maria Ambalada and Shirley Sutton appeared here last week.

The top two vote getters for each position advance to the Nov. 3 general election. Two other Lynnwood council positions have only two candidates and will appear only on the November ballot.

Here are the introductory statements from Frizzell, Goodwin and Jones in the order they will appear on the ballot:

Lynnwood City Council Position 5

Chris Frizzell: Chris Frizzell is a long-time proud citizen of Lynnwood. She is an alumnus of Meadowdale High School as are her two daughters. For many years Chris has taken on a variety of volunteer roles including feeding homeless and under-resourced individuals and families, cooking at the cold weather shelter and mentoring women inmates.

Chris attended Lynnwood University last fall and since then has been regularly attending City Council meetings, Neighborhood and Diversity meetings, Finance Committee meetings and others. She has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and sees where a “numbers person” on the council would be a great asset. She has been self-employed for almost 30 years and brings her experience of taxation, small businesses, and financial accountability with her to the council.

Her concerns range from protecting green spaces, dealing with homeless issues and engaging citizens more and more as our city grows. Her website is ChrisFrizzell4Lynnwood.com.

Benjamin Goodwin: My Family: I have lived, with my spouse, in Lynnwood for the last 11 years. We have spent the last seven years raising our three children, one of whom is old enough to attend school in the Edmonds school district.

Work: I am a trainer and training developer by trade, and enjoy speaking to crowds both large and small when the opportunity presents itself. Currently I am employed by a Fortune 500 company based in Issaquah.

Volunteering: This year I am a merit badge counselor for the Boy Scouts of America, and spent time as a coach for Alderwood Little League. I also serve as a volunteer financial clerk in my church congregation, responsible for the books, donations and expenses.

I have had the pleasure to serve as a city council member since 2011, and I hope to continue that service over the next four years!

Douglas Jones: With much regret and thought, I have decided to withdraw. I was recently appointed to the board of directors for a non-profit in the area and want to serve on that board to the best of my ability and would not be able to focus my time effectively with trying to campaign. Unfortunately per the Snohomish County Elections I cannot formally be taken off the ballot because I am past the date I am able to withdraw, so I am in a dilemma.

I have lived in the area for over twenty years and in Lynnwood since 2010. My first job as a teen was at the Alderwood Mall. My volunteer community service includes the Planning Commission, since 2010, and the Leadership Development Group. I have been project manager and safety officer for a local contractor since 2004. I was involved with Boy Scouts and Young Life as a teen.

Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com.