Candidates duke it out at debate

Snohomish County faces an unexpected and often controversial pace of housing construction in both urban and rural areas, and the issue is No. 1 among candidates seeking election as county executive and to the County Council.

In more than two hours of debate Wednesday night, they did their best to scratch the surface of the hottest issues facing the county.

Snohomish County had the second-highest population growth in the state in the past year, adding an estimated 15,000 people.

The debate was moderated by Ed Bremer of KSER 90.7 FM in Everett, and by Futurewise, the Pilchuck Audubon Society and the Livable Snohomish County Coalition, all groups opposed to sprawling housing developments. About 50 people attended.

Republican challenger Jack Turk of Snohomish came out swinging at incumbent County Executive Aaron Reardon, calling him a career politician who owes too many favors from campaign donations. Reardon, of Everett, swung back, saying his four-year record shows he’s ready for re-election, and he has an open-door policy for talks with everyone.

Democrat Mike Cooper of Edmonds and Republican Renee Radcliff Sinclair of Lynnwood, chasing an open seat on the County Council, traded partisan barbs and tried to stake out the greenest ground. Both are former state legislators.

Democrat Brian Sullivan, a state representative from Mukilteo, had it easier: His opponent for another open seat on the County Council, Republican Bill Cooper, was out of town.

The candidates each reflected on gridlock, protecting farmland, promoting airliners at Paine Field, allowing Harvey Field to develop into the river floodplains, allowing cul-de-sacs in rural pasture land and shoehorning more housing into the urban core.

Here are some highlights of what the candidates had to say:

Democrat Mike Cooper, running for County Council District 3

On why Harvey Field should not be allowed to expand and pile more dirt into the floodplain: “All the estuaries will flood and habitat will be destroyed for decades to come.”

On discouraging rural development: “People need transit-oriented, smart growth, where they have the opportunity to climb on light rail and work in a community where housing growth is taking place.”

Republican Jack Turk, running for County Executive

Declaring himself the greenest candidate. “As you drive the highways and byways, you will not see one single piece of yard waste with my name on it.”

Advocating for single-family housing: “Do people dream about living stacked in boxes” or a patch of dirt with a house on it? “I like to mow my lawn.”

Republican Renee Radcliff Sinclair, running for County Council District 3

Endorsing rain gardens and sidewalks that let rain pass through: “We have to start working with nature, not against it.”

On the future of Paine Field: “I do not support commercial air service at Paine Field and will do what I can to discourage it.”

Democrat Brian Sullivan, County Council District 2

On his opposition to adding airlines to Paine Field: “A deal is a deal. You cannot go backwards.”

On his support for paying farmers to steer development into cities: “We really need to be turbo charging that program.”

Democrat Aaron Reardon, incumbent county executive

On why he wants to change what development is allowed near 164th Street in Lynnwood: “It was a bad plan in the past, willy nilly, with Wal-Marts next to teriyakis.”

Endorsing Democrats Mike Cooper and Brian Sullivan: “They will bring thoughtfulness and maturity to the County Council, which is sorely needed.”

Reporter Jeff Switzer: 425-339-3452 or jswitzer@heraldnet.com.