Who will oppose whom for council?

Published 7:14 pm Tuesday, April 7, 2009

The newest candidate for Shoreline City Council says that she’s not yet sure whom she will run against.

Patty Hale, who announced her candidacy in March, says that she is waiting to see which incumbents declare their candidacy before committing to a run for one position.

Two candidates who announced in January, Shari Tracey and Kyle Burleigh, both are waiting to hear whether incumbent Councilman Ron Hansen seeks re-election.

Incumbents Keith McGlashan, Cindy Ryu and Janet Way have declared their intention to seek re-election, but Hansen, the longest-serving member of the council, has not said whether he will run.

If Hansen retires, at least one newcomer might seek the open seat.

Hale said Sunday that she hopes Hansen runs. If he does, Hale expects to run against Councilwoman Way. Hale said that she believes she can do more than Way to reduce council divisiveness and increase productivity. She criticized Way and other council members for unnecessarily delaying important projects.

She said that, as a longtime parks board member, she can match Way’s appeal to environment-conscious voters, but that her experience as member and former chairwoman of the council of neighborhoods and as a police volunteer give her a broader view of city issues.

Hale said that she would be an independent thinker as a candidate and as a potential councilwoman, and would avoid being part of any faction.

Eyman assails change in car-tax for parks

A proposal in the Legislature to keep state parks open with a $5 fee on auto license renewals drew a rebuke last week from anti-tax activist Tim Eyman.

People can already contribute to parks by voluntarily checking a box indicating that they are willing to pay $5 toward parks.

The proposed system would substitute the opt-in system with a system under which people would have to check a box to opt out.

Eyman notes that the state took in $700,000 last year with the voluntary donation system, adding, “That’s how much citizens are willing to provide.”

He said that opt-out system is particularly unfair to elderly and disabled people.

Evan Smith can be reached at entopinion@heraldnet.com.