EVERETT — All six candidates in contested City Council races Nov. 4 vowed to keep part of about 200 acres of city-owned land along the Snohomish River as open space, but they disagreed on what to do with the rest of the property.
The candidates spoke at a forum Tuesday night sponsored by the View Ridge-Madison and Harbor-Seahurst-Glenhaven neighborhood associations.
Mayor Frank Anderson and his opponent, former City Councilman Ray Stephanson, also addressed the more than 100 people in the audience at Evergreen Middle School. Both exchanged sharp barbs on the budget.
Incumbent Councilman Dale Pope said the city is currently negotiating with developers interested in the riverfront land.
"We need to protect open space," he said, but the city also needs development that leads to more jobs. He said the city should be open to either selling or leasing the land.
But opponent Brenda Stonecipher, chairwoman of the city planning commission, favored leasing land left over from open space, saying it should be up to future generations to decide what to do with it.
Former City Councilman David Simpson, who is running against incumbent Doug Campbell, agreed, saying city ownership of the property is the best way to maintain control over its development.
Incumbent Bob Overstreet also favored long-term arrangements with developers over the sale of the land. His opponent, restaurant owner Jim Staniford, said no matter what, a major portion of the land should be set aside for open space.
Campbell said it’s too early to decide whether to lease or sell the land, and said the issue should be studied further.
The budget has emerged as the biggest issue in the mayoral campaign, and Anderson and Stephanson talked extensively about their approaches to handling the city’s finances.
Stephanson criticized Anderson for proposing to use $4.6 million of the $22.3 million surplus to help balance the 2004 budget.
"The reality is the city is living beyond its means," he said.
Anderson said the money from the surplus will go to shore up city reserve funds.
"Everett’s current fiscal health is outstanding," he said.
Both candidates told residents that interaction with community groups is vital to finding out what needs exist in the city.
Stephanson proposed making the city’s Office of Neighborhoods its own department. It currently is part of the code compliance department. He favored amending the city charter to do that, "so regardless of whatever political winds are blowing, it would have protection."
Anderson said the office is just as effective as part of code compliance and can be run more cheaply that way.
"We’re trying to save money," Anderson said.
Stephanson said that, as the largest city in Snohomish County, Everett must become more of a "regional player," and should work with the county and other cities to try to attract new businesses and economic development.
Anderson defended his record on working regionally, pointing to what he said are good relationships the city has with the county, other cities, the Port of Everett and the Tulalip Tribes. City officials regularly attend regional functions, he said.
"Everett is already a player," he said.
The two candidates, both Everett natives, talked of their deep roots in the city.
Anderson touted his background as a city firefighter, emergency medical technician and councilman, and to what he said was his strong leadership during his 16 months as mayor.
Stephanson pointed to his tenure on the City Council and as Mayor Ed Hansen’s executive director, and to his 33 years with Verizon and GTE.
"I have business experience and experience in government," Stephanson said. "I understand the needs out there and what it takes to run a successful business."
Reporter David Olson: 425-339-3452 or dolson@heraldnet.com.
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