Everett candidates square off

By Theresa Goffredo

Herald Writer

EVERETT — Mayoral candidate David Sherman’s biggest campaign issue is getting a government that represents the majority of citizens.

Under that campaign umbrella, Sherman places the proposed combination hockey arena and special events center, a sure example, he said, of government not listening to its citizens.

"I believe that the proposed arena should be reconsidered," Sherman said. "Public consensus for it needs to be developed, other sites should be reopened for consideration, and the financing both long-term and short-term should be re-evaluated in view of the approaching recession."

During the primary election, the proposed 8,000-seat hockey arena was a lightning rod for candidates running for Everett government. Sherman still considers that a hot-button issue. But as a vocal neighborhood association member, Sherman also believes the current administration isn’t listening.

David Sherman

Sherman is running against incumbent Mayor Ed Hansen in the Nov. 6 general election. The mayor doesn’t vote on anything. It’s a full-time management and administrative position that pays $116,000 a year.

Sherman, an electrical engineer who wears his hair in a pony tail and drives a deuce-and-a-half Army truck, said the hockey arena has not only been pushed through by a narrow set of special interests, it’s being built in the wrong part of downtown.

The arena is proposed for Hewitt Avenue and Broadway. Sherman said other downtown sites should have been considered.

"A multipurpose arena somewhere in Everett is probably a good idea overall for many reasons," Sherman said. "But I am opposed to the Hewitt site because of the additional cost of property acquisition, the destruction of historic buildings, the incompatible architecture and what I believe is the negative impact on future downtown business improvements."

Sherman also believes in greater waterfront access to the public and said his experience of running his own business since 1988 makes him able to run the numbers for Everett.

Hansen, a former Port of Everett attorney, has been mayor for eight years. When he took office, the city was undergoing financial hardship. Hansen said getting through that has prepared him for the pending economic downturn the city faces with massive Boeing layoffs.

Hansen said the city has prepared to diversify its economy by opening a new business recruitment office. Hansen said there are a number of potential sites in the city for more high-tech companies, such as Selectron, which moved to Everett in 1998 and manufactures printed circuit boards for Hewlett-Packard.

"The economy might be facing the same types of financial challenges over the next year or two that I faced when I first became mayor, and I’ve tried to take a balanced approach," Hansen said.

The mayor also points to the new Everett Station and the Pacific Avenue overpass as ways he’s led the city to overcome traffic congestion. He said he’s a strong believer in waterfront access, saying his administration helped pave the way for the Lowell Riverfront trail.

As for the hockey arena and events center, Hansen said the city did consider the public when it sent out 5,000 questionnaires and held about 10 focus groups. The city also held a number of public hearings and formed a citizens committee to review the center’s feasibility study.

You can call Herald Writer Theresa Goffredo at 425-339-3097

or send e-mail to goffredo@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.