By Theresa Goffredo
Herald Writer
EVERETT — Should the city’s captain shove off, city council member Frank Anderson is ready to take over the helm.
Anderson said Wednesday that he would step in as mayor should current Mayor Ed Hansen accept the general manager job with the Snohomish County Public Utilities District.
"I’ve known about the potential of this for a while, and though it hasn’t officially happened, it’s my intent to take over," Anderson said.
On Tuesday, PUD commissioners announced they were courting Hansen to replace former general manager Paul Elias, who was fired following revelations that the utility hired a high-priced consultant and paid for his Seattle luxury hotel stays and pricey dinners.
Though he hasn’t formally accepted the PUD’s offer, Hansen, 62, will meet with commissioners in a closed-door session Friday to hammer out contract terms.
Anderson, also 62, is in line to take over as mayor until the next municipal election in 2003, since as council president he already is mayor pro tem.
Not only does he want the job, which pays $121,000 a year, but Anderson said residents shouldn’t feel much effect from Hansen’s departure. Anderson has been a council member for 12 years and has served as council president for the past four years. A small-business owner and retired firefighter, he is keen on public safety and is on the National League of Cities public safety and crime prevention steering committee.
"You have to always remember the city of Everett is blessed with blue-chip, top-notch staff, and they are intelligent and loyal, and we have to depend on these folks," Anderson said, speaking from a cell phone Wednesday in Morristown, Tenn., about 50 miles from Knoxville in the state’s northeastern corner. He was attending a league conference there.
"We’re not going to have a vacuum," Anderson said. "We will continue to do what we’re doing, and it’s my intention we’re not going to even slow down."
Anderson also said that Hansen — a lawyer with a degree in economics who has been mayor since 1994 — will be available for advice.
Several city staff members agree that Anderson’s council experience has given him intimate knowledge of how the city works.
"The institution will continue on," city attorney Mark Soine said. "Frank has a vision for the city, and the staff is there to implement that vision."
City leaders also indicated they would support Hansen should he decide to leave.
Former council member Dan Warnock wasn’t surprised the PUD approached Hansen. But Warnock declined to comment on how the departure might affect Everett.
"This may be one of the most challenging jobs" Hansen has ever taken on, Warnock said. "I wish him a great deal of success to be the best, not just for personal achievement but for all the customers of the PUD."
The PUD has been under fire from customers outraged over electricity bills that have soared by 45 percent over the past year.
But at least one city leader, council member Ron Gipson, expressed concern over Hansen’s potential departure. Gipson said the city faces challenges, not the least of which is a proposed sports arena and special events center that the city council has agreed to go $6 million into debt to pay for.
"I truly believe we have some of the best personnel around, and I hate for them to be forced to leave because of a money shortage," Gipson said.
Asked about Anderson’s ability to fill in as mayor, Gipson said Anderson has been around a long time and knows the issues. Asked if he would stand behind the new mayor, Gipson said, "I will stand behind my council."
"This is not a one-person act, and never has been and never will be," Gipson said.
Some people, such as Michael Cox, felt Hansen should stay. Cox is spokesman for the citizens group opposed to building the arena on its current site at Hewitt Avenue and Broadway. Cox also was campaign manager for David Sherman, who ran against Hansen in the November 2001 election.
"I’m quite fearful of the vacuum," Cox said. "The mayor has done a good job in the eight-plus years he’s been in office, and his leaving would cause a big impact on the city. Let’s face it, Hansen has an intimate knowledge of how the city runs, and we lose that if he leaves."
You can call Herald Writer Theresa Goffredo at 425-339-3097
or send e-mail to goffredo@heraldnet.com.
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