MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — Candidates for the Mountlake Terrace City Council understandably have the economy on their minds.
In addition to fiscal responsibility, the candidates ranked public safety and supporting small businesses high on their priority lists.
There are seven members of the city council, including the mayor and mayor pro-tem. The mayor’s compensation is $1,000 per month. Council members including the mayor pro-tem are paid $800 per month. There is no health insurance or other benefits for these positions.
The city operates with the the council-manager form of government where the title of mayor is given to a council member nominated by colleagues and elected for a two-year term.
All interviews were conducted via e-mail.
Position 1
Ann Nygaard is running to oust Councilman Rick Ryan for his seat on the council.
Nygaard said she wants to give back to the city where she grew up and raised her children.
“I have attempted to fill spots vacant on the council before and am thrilled to be in a position to work hard being the best council person I can be and listen to the needs of our residents,” she wrote.
Nygaard said she will maintain a balanced budget, prioritize residents’ safety and keeping a local post office open for seniors.
Ryan was appointed to the City Council in February 2008.
The elementary school teacher is running on maintaining a balanced budget, not raising taxes and supporting businesses and downtown revitalization.
Ryan said the city should not spend more than what it has. He promised to make necessary budget cuts but spare essential services such as fire and police.
“We have done a great job to save money in every department our city has, yet we have kept our services up,” he wrote.
He promised to continue meeting with citizens and business owners to hear their concerns.
Position 2
The race between Jerry E. Smith, a councilman who is serving as the council-appointed mayor, and Councilman John Zambrano is one that may have casual observers scratching their heads.
Zambrano, with two years left in his Position 7 term, entered the race for Position 2 challenging Smith while not risking his current seat on the council. In previously published reports he cites “leadership style” as the driving force behind his move to unseat Smith.
When asked previously why he is running, Zambrano said that “the citizens of Mountlake Terrace deserve a better choice in leadership.”
“My political philosophy is transparency of government,” he said.
If elected, Zambrano’s first order of business would be fostering a forward-looking vision for the city’s future, setting goals and involve people in the process.
Smith was unavailable to comment for this report.
Position 3
Andrew Funk and Douglas McCardle are facing off for outgoing Councilwoman Michelle Angrick’s Position 3.
Funk, 20, hit the political scene last year as the state’s youngest candidate for a legislative seat when he ran against Rep. Marko Liias. He attends Central Washington University at the Lynnwood branch and is majoring in accounting.
“I offer a new voice for Mountlake Terrace,” he wrote. “I hope to spend the rest of my life here, and I want to see a Mountlake Terrace that is both economically and environmentally sustainable not only for my life but for my future children’s lives.”
Funk said he is the stronger candidate because he is involved in city issues and has worked with a variety of organizations including the Friends of the MLT Library and Recreation and Parks Advisory Commission.
McCardle is emphasizing public safety, economic vitality and improving the city’s image. McCardle said he wants to affect change as the city carries out its comprehensive plan.
“I desire to see Mountlake Terrace become a vibrant sustainable city in the new millennium with a goal of balancing the small town setting with the ever changing opportunities offered to the city,” he wrote.
McCardle said he is the preferred candidate because of his community involvement and service on the Police Advisory Board and the Planning Commission.
McCardle said most people use Mountlake Terrace as a “drive-through to other destinations.”
“What needs to begin is a way to show people the amenities that the city has to offer,” he wrote. “We need to break ground on the new Civic Center project as a way to show the public and developers that as a city we are committed to the revitalization of the downtown corridor.”
Position 4
Jasmin Contreras is running to unseat Councilwoman Kyoko Wright.
Contreras said she will revitalize the local economy, address aging public facilities and the community’s needs, promote small businesses and prepare for development of a town center. She also said the community needs new and independent leadership.
“I believe our civic leaders must listen to the community before making any major decision and make certain to represent their voice within the government,” she wrote.
Contreras, a U.S. Army veteran, said her military experience taught her the importance of working on a team to accomplish a common goal and to become a compassionate leader.
Wright was appointed to the council in January 2008 and is running on the budget, economic development and public safety.
Wright said the city has a lot of potential.
“We hug the freeway and even during rush hour, we are less than 30 minutes to Seattle,” she wrote. “We have a town center plan ready to go.”
Wright said the city has been working on the foundation for major economic development.
“When the economy turns, we will be ready,” she wrote.
Wright said her experience as a planning commissioner and serving on boards have helped her understand how to approach a city budget.
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