SNOHOMISH — Six people are vying for three open seats on the City Council in the Nov. 6 election. Among their top issues are a growth plan of Harvey Field, the private airport in the floodplain south of the city and improving sidewalks citywide.
For Position 1, Marc Crawford is facing off against Lynn Schilaty. Schilaty, now a stay-at-home mother of three children, has a law degree and worked in London as a tax accountant.
Schilaty, 44, who volunteers at her children’s schools and a local church, said she wants to help the city grow into a vibrant place where people can work, live and raise their families.
“What we do now impacts the future,” she said.
Schilaty said she shares people’s concerns about the airport’s growth plan. She doubts that Snohomish County would succeed in changing federal flood regulations in the Snohomish River Valley.
Crawford, a marketer for a Monroe roofing company, said that he supports the airport’s growth for a simple reason: It’s a privately-owned airport. Its owners should be able to develop their property, he said.
Crawford, 36, said city leaders need to use common sense to solve key issues, he said. For example, he suggests that the city issue parking stickers to downtown business owners and employees to secure their parking spots in the city’s historic downtown.
“That’s a simple solution,” Crawford said.
For Position 2, incumbent City Councilman Larry Countryman is facing off against Karen Guzak.
The two candidates differ on the airport’s growth plan. Guzak said she supports the airport and other businesses in the area, but she doesn’t want major development in a floodplain, which could make flooding worse.
“I’m concerned about the flooding aspect. We will have more floods,” said Guzak, who unsuccessfully ran against City Councilman R.C. “Swede” Johnson in 2005.
Current flood regulations are hurting businesses in the valley, Countryman said. If the Snohomish River floods, it’s going to flood regardless of the airport’s growth, he said.
“It’s not going to change anything,” he said.
Countryman, 66, a Snohomish native, said that he wants to disband the city’s design review board. Guzak, the design review board’s chairwoman, has imposed her own ideas on the advisory board, he said.
The board is essential to protect the integrity and character of the city’s historic district, Guzak said. She believes that preserving the city’s history and environment will enhance the economy.
“We have to grow in a balanced way,” she said.
Incumbent City Councilwoman Melody Clemans is seeking her second four-year term. Her opponent for Position 3, Chris Walsh didn’t return several phone messages left by The Herald.
Clemans, 63, said growth is inevitable in Snohomish. She wants to use her experience on the council to promote a responsible growth, Clemans said.
“There’s a good deal of work to do. Snohomish is at a crossroads,” she said.
She helped the city create its first strategic plan, which outlines the city’s growth plan and priorities for the future. To thrive without losing its character, the city needs to keep enhancing its historic district and revitalize its riverfront properties, Clemans said.
“Those are two greatest assets we have,” she said.
Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com.
Snohomish City Council
Position 1
Marc Crawford
Age: 36
Occupation: marketer for a roofing company
Web site: none
Lynn Schilaty
Age: 44
Occupation: stay-at-home mother; worked as a tax accountant in London
Web site: www.lynnschilaty.com
Position 2
Karen Guzak
Age: 68
Occupation: owner of Yoga Circle Studio and Angel Arms Works
Web site: www.KarenGuzakCampaign.com
Larry Countryman
Age: 66
Occupation: retired artist, builder and bed &breakfast owner
Web site: none
Position 3
Chris Walsh
Age: 54
Occupation: administrator and owner of a rehabilitation facility
Web site: information not submitted
Melody Clemans
Age: 63
Occupation: owner of independent insurance agency
Web site: www.melodyclemans.com
About the job: The Snohomish City Council meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. Council members set city policies and make financial decisions. Council members are paid $450 per month.
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