10 vie for Mukilteo Council seat

MUKILTEO — A slew of candidates have thrown their hats into the ring to fill an open seat on the Mukilteo City Council.

The 10 applicants — vying to replace Marko Liias, who resigned early in January after he was named to the state House of Representatives — range from a former city councilman to frequent council observers.

They are: Rick Best, 54, a financial advisor; Scott Casselman, 64, retired; Patty Cooper, 54, retired; Pat Kess­ler, 70, retired; Tom Lowery, 54, an English teacher; former City Councilman Harold Quinby, 78, retired; Sueanne Sluis, 56, a research project coordinator; Graham Smith, 38, a salesman; Linda Wooding, a music teacher; and Richard Emery, 60, who remodels homes.

The Mukilteo City Council is planning to interview candidates and choose a new council member at a special meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at City Hall, 4480 Chennault Beach Road.

“The interview process is the important part, so you can hear what they’re going to say,” Mukilteo Mayor Joe Marine said.

Whoever takes the seat will be the third new face on the City Council since late last year. Emily Vanderwielen replaced longtime Councilman Bruce Richter, and Linda Grafer replaced former Councilwoman Lori Kaiser. Neither Richter nor Kaiser sought re-election.

“That could certainly change the complexity of the council,” Marine said.

Quinby, who was on the City Council from 1994 through 2001, wants to resolve long-running issues such as what to do with the Rosehill Community Center — an issue that was discussed when he used to serve on the council.

Best, who is involved with community groups such as the Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival Association, wants to have a hand in shaping the waterfront in Old Town. He said the city will have several opportunities for positive growth.

Casselman has attended several council meetings and has written articles about Mukilteo issues for area newspapers. He feels strongly about promoting economic growth on the waterfront, and keeping Japanese Gulch free of development.

Cooper said she applied to fulfill a civic duty. She supports Marine in wanting to build a new road to the Mukilteo ferry terminal, and said the city must make sure it has enough police and firefighters if it annexes new areas.

Kessler, who ran for City Council in the November election, believes she has the knowledge to deal with “multiple challenges” faced by the city. She attends the majority of council meetings and said she would work well with other council members.

Lowery, a teacher at Kamiak High School, said he wants to have a hand in annexation and preserving recreation areas in the city. He said development of the city’s waterfront and commercial areas are crucial for Mukilteo’s growth.

Sluis has volunteered in communities she’s lived in since the 1980s, when she lived in Chicago. She’s volunteered in Mukilteo at schools and at her church, and applied for the City Council to give back to her community, she said.

Smith said he’s been interested in City Council politics for years, and believes now is a crucial time that will shape Mukilteo’s future identity.

Wooding, who also goes to the majority of City Council meetings, said she wants to be more than an observer in the process.

Emery, who is leading a citizens group to prevent development at Japanese Gulch, said he would like to be on the City Council to help manage growth while preserving Mukilteo’s character.

Reporter Scott Pesznecker: 425-339-3436 or spesznecker@heraldnet.com.