Editorial: A recap of Herald editorial board endorsements
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, November 1, 2017
By The Herald Editorial Board
Now it’s up to you.
The candidate forums are over. The campaign coverage is drawing to a close. Candidates are making their last round through neighborhoods to doorbell. And the campaign signs, well, we’ll have to live with those for a while longer.
But now it’s your opportunity to cast your ballots in a number of races that will determine your representatives to lead local government at the county and city level as well as districts for schools, fire, port and more.
Once you have your ballot filled out, you can mail it — and don’t forget the stamp — or take it postage-free to one of several ballot drop boxes in the county.
Ballots that are returned by mail must be postmarked by Nov. 7. Ballots left at the county’s ballot drop boxes must be delivered before 8 p.m. Nov. 7. A full list of ballot drop box location can be found online at tinyurl.com/SnoCoVoteDropBoxes.
Below are the endorsements by The Herald Editorial Board for select races in Snohomish County.
To read the full endorsements, go to cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/heraldnet/tag/editorials:
Snohomish County Council, Position 1: Nate Nehring
From the endorsement: “Nehring also has quickly demonstrated his ability to work collaboratively with the rest of the council and the county executive.”
Snohomish County Council: Position 4: Terry Ryan
“Ryan, because of the growth in his district and his response to it, has become the council’s point person on development and its related issues.”
Snohomish County Council, Position 5: Sam Low
“Low impresses us as the best fit for the district and has demonstrated his ability to work within the council, his district and the larger county.”
Edmonds City Council, Position 1: Josh Thompson
“Thompson, because of his current relationships with county officials, other local officials and state lawmakers — several of whom have endorsed him — could add to Edmonds’ voice at the local level and with the region’s legislators.”
Edmonds City Council, Position 3: Adrienne Fraley-Monillas
“Fraley-Monillas has shown herself to be effective at directing policy initiatives, working with others on the council and representing Edmonds and all county residents through her work with the health district and with community organizations.”
Everett mayor: Cassie Franklin
“Councilmember Cassie Franklin presents the best balance of continuity, experience, fair-mindedness and fresh perspective and deserves the support of voters.”
Everett City Council, Position 1: Paul Roberts
“Roberts’ record of accomplishments and skill on the council are a good argument against term limits.”
Everett City Council, Position 2: Jeff Moore
“Moore has shown himself to be a valuable member of the council and the community.”
Everett City Council, Position 3: Scott Murphy
“Murphy does have concerns about the city’s finances. … Murphy can provide the attention to spending the city needs.”
Everett School Board, Position 5: Pam LeSesne
“LeSesne has shown herself as one of the board’s leaders with a strong understanding of the issues the district faces and the ability to pursue solutions.”
Lynnwood mayor: Nicola Smith
“Smith’s leadership has built on the city’s progress on many fronts” and “has earned support from other local officials.”
Lynnwood City Council, Position 1: Christine Frizzell
“Frizzell, self-employed as an accountant, has extensive community service related to homelessness, low-income housing for seniors, a children’s camp and as a mentor to incarcerated women at the county jail.”
Lynnwood City Council, Position 2: Ian Cotton
“Cotton has used his first term well to inform his work on council, particularly on transportation issues and the fire district merger.”
Lynnwood City Council, Position 3: Ruth Ross
“Ross said the city needs to take care as residential development occurs, that low-income families and seniors aren’t displaced or are provided with better options for housing.”
Marysville City Council, Position 1: Jeffrey Vaughan
“Vaughan’s past experience and care with the city’s finances warrant a fourth full term on the Marysville council.”
Marysville City Council, Position 2: Mark James
“James demonstrates he understands the issues facing Marysville and an ability and demeanor to work collaboratively with others on the council, city staff and others in the county.”
Marysville City Council, Position 3: Tom King
“King’s range of experience, specifically regarding transportation, parks and public safety would serve the city council well, especially paired with a fresh perspective.”
Marysville City Council, Position 4: Michael Stevens
“Stevens know his city well and shows a desire to serve its residents.”
Monroe mayor: Geoffrey Thomas
“Thomas has had a strong first four years as mayor and merits a second term.”
Monroe City Council, Position 1: R. Todd Fredrickson
“Fredrickson, aided by skills he’s developed to listen and work with inmates, should be an asset to the council and offer it a fresher perspective.”
Monroe City Council, Position 3: Jeff Rassmussen
“Rasmussen, in his first term, has proved himself equally devoted to Monroe, particularly on youth issues, which he has made a focus of his career and council work.”
Monroe City Council, Position 7: Kirk Scarboro
Scarboro’s “school district work has provided him first-hand knowledge of the condition of city streets and the city’s traffic issues, which he has used to lobby for state funds for Highway 522.”
Mountlake Terrace City Council, Position 1: Rick Ryan
“Ryan’s experience, varied background, his advanced certificate in municipal leadership from the Association of Washington Cities and ability to work with others on the council should earn him a return to council from voters.”
Mountlake Terrace City Council, Position 2: Jerry Smith
“Smith’s leadership and experience on transit, public safety and youth and senior issues should serve the city for a final four-year term.”
Mountlake Terrace City Council, Position 4: Kyoko Matsumoto Wright
“Wright is experienced, and in the interview with the editorial board, showed herself to be informed and thoughtful on the issues facing Terrace.”
Mukilteo mayor: Jennifer Gregerson
“Gregerson has shown her ability to lead the city during a time of transition and even tragedy.”
Mukilteo City Council, Position 1: Anna Rohrbough
“Rohrbough, with her background in coaching public speaking and collaborative leadership would be an asset to the council.”
Mukilteo City Council, Position 2: Bob Champion
“Champion has made an obvious impression among his fellow council members, having been elected to the council president’s post the past three years.”
Mukilteo City Council, Position 3: Tony Markey
“Markey offers the council his experience in managing a budget and operations of an outpatient clinic and his service on the city’s long-range financial planning committee.”
Snohomish mayor: Karen Guzak
“Guzak has the experience the new position requires, and has demonstrated a strong ability to work with others on the council and with other local governments.”
Snohomish City Council, Position 3: Jason Sanders
“In less than a year on the council, Sanders has developed a good understanding of the issues facing the city and a deliberative approach”
Snohomish City Council, Position 4: Tom Merrill
“Merrill is best suited to help the council and the city work toward consensus even on issues where it is most divided.”
Snohomish City Council, Position 5: Linda Redmon
“Redmon, the mother of school-age children, would bring with her the perspective of younger families in Snohomish to her work with the council.”
Snohomish City Council, Position 6: Larry Countryman
“Countryman was supportive of the switch to a strong-mayor government, and as such would be an important voice as the council develops policy for the new administration.”
Snohomish City Council, Position 7: Steve Dana
Dana’s previous “service has provided him with an extensive background in a range of city issues, including public works and utilities, public safety, budgeting, land use and planning.”
Stanwood City Council, Position 2: Dianne Warsinkse White
“White’s past experience (on the city council and as mayor) is too valuable for the city not to call on.”
Stanwood City Council, Position 7: Michael Braley
“Braley’s law enforcement work has provided him with detailed knowledge of efforts to address issues related to homelessness, mental illness and addiction.”
