Issue statement from Lynnwood council candidate Sessions

Published 9:31 am Friday, October 16, 2015

Lynnwood City Council candidate Shannon Sessions is challenging incumbent Van AuBuchon on the Nov. 3 general-election ballot.

The two are running for one of four Lynnwood Council positions on the November ballot.

Sessions has sent this statement about what she thinks are the most important issues in this year’s election. AuBuchon has not sent a statement. Here is Sessions’ statement:

Lynnwood City Council Candidate Position #7

Shannon Sessions: Lynnwood is begging for a city center and a community identity. We are about 37,000 at night, we more than double during the day and sometimes triple during the holidays. Additionally, we are on the crossroads of our state’s two major freeways — I-5 and I-405; this puts us in a unique position with diverse issues — while we’re moving forward here, there’s still more to do.

The Lynnwood Fire Department needs to be fully funded ASAP. We need to decide how we can financially do that and also prepare for more EMS &fire services needed as we grow. While we must make some educated, creative decisions soon, it’s still important that we take the time to keep an open mind and carefully learn what all the options are before bringing the question to our voters.

It’s our responsibility to be sure we can support the people and new facilities with the appropriate public safety whether Fire, EMS or police.

Roads/traffic: We have been putting a “Band-Aid” on our roads for years and now some of our main thoroughfares need major repairs and added sidewalks. These improvements are required and will cost money. Traffic is an ongoing challenge: We need to get creative.

Van AuBuchon: No response

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