Age: 62
Occupation: Retired Everett firefighter and small-business owner; now full-time Everett City Council member.
Political experience: Everett City Council, 12 years
Work experience: Career as a firefighter offers valuable insight on public safety issues. Experience as a small-business owner keeps me in touch with community development issues and the needs of private enterprise.
Personal experience: As an Everett native, I have a strong understanding of Everett’s historic character and future direction. Additionally, having married and raised four children in Everett, I understand the needs of Everett’s families and neighborhoods.
Top 3 issues: 1. Public safety: citizens deserve to feel safe in their homes, schools and streets. I will ensure that safety programs are adequately funded and support important community partnerships. 2. Transportation: I will continue to support programs to maintain and improve local roadways. I will lobby for improvements in regional planning and funding where urgent needs exist. 3. Community development: I will preserve a healthy balance between economic opportunities and quality-of-life issues. I have supported parks and recreation projects, educational improvements and neighborhood programs.
Why voters should pick me: I have demonstrated my commitment to understanding voters’ needs and delivering responsible, balanced results. I am open to new ideas, encourage positive collaboration, and focus attention on priorities that affect Everett’s quality of life. Additionally, I have honored my pledge to invest public funds in a responsible way.
Fun facts: My great-grandfather came to Everett from New York in the mid-1800s.
Age: 57
Mary Ehrlich |
Occupation: Registered nurse, small-business owner.
Political experience: Bayside Neighborhood Association.
Work experience: Evaluating needs of individuals and families, problem solving and identifying resources, contract negotiations; planning, marketing, budgeting and customer service.
Personal experience: Community organizing to work with neighbors for common goals.
Top 3 issues: 1. Public access to shorelines and restoration and protection of environment. 2. Meaningful public involvement through stronger neighborhood groups and special hearings. 3. Transportation and growth. Working with other agencies to find long-term solutions.
Why voters should pick me: Everett will be a more livable city if we protect and preserve the character of our neighborhoods, our natural environment and our citizens. I will work for parks and open space and for a pedestrian friendly downtown. I will be an independent new voice on the council.
Fun fact: Collected more than 100 cookbooks.
Age: 45
David Simpson |
Occupation: Customer engineer – Boeing Aircraft Co.
Political experience: Everett City Council (1998-2001); council president/mayor pro tem (2001); council vice-president (1999-2000); precinct committee officer – 38th Legislative District, former vice chairman Snohomish County Democratic Party.
Work experience: Member, Snohomish County Towns and Cities Association; member, Association of Washington Cities; former commissioner, City of Everett Housing Authority.
Personal experience: Navy League member; Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace member; University of Washington Alumni Association.
Top 3 issues: 1. Growth management/transportation: They will determine the quality of all of our lives in the future. 2. Economic development: With the effect of tax-reduction initiatives, the city needs to look at other opportunities to bring jobs to our city to increase revenues. 3. Public safety: We must continue to provide tools to fire and police departments as their service requirements change.
Why voters should pick me: I will continue to work to maintain our high quality of life. I will work to create family wage jobs, keep our neighborhoods safe and improve our schools and parks. And I will continue to work to solve our transportation problems.
Fun facts: I enjoy trains, and I am a Star Trek fan.
Age: 54
Thelma Jean Hansen |
Occupation: Self employed/retired
Political experience: Served on Everett City Council for two years. Served on advisory boards, real estate, budget, transportation, animal shelter, senior center, Everett Central Lions Club president 1998-1999; White Cane Days chairwoman.
Work experience: Local business owner for 22 years
Personal experience: Everett Central Lions; Everett Elks Club; Everett Golf and Country Club; Everett Senior Center Foundation Board; local church member. Lobbied for Everett citizens in Olympia and Washington, D.C.
Top 3 issues: 1. Public safety: I will work to make sure all mandates are met, to keep up with growth and meet public demands. 2. Education: Encourage quality education and satellite schooling for Everett education system. 3. Growth management: I will work to maintain our quiet way of life while embracing our city’s ever-increasing numbers and economic growth.
Why voters should pick me: I can give full time to the position. I also have new and fresh ideas for our growing community, our senior citizens and the youth. One person can make a difference with your help.
Fun facts: I love painting, art, the beautiful outdoors and crossword puzzles.
Age: 46
Mark Olson |
Occupation: Attorney with 13 years of private practice in Everett
Political experience: Office of U.S. Sen. Henry M. Jackson, Washington, D.C., intern. Office of U.S. Rep. Lloyd Meeds, Washington, D.C., legislative aide. Office of the mayor, city of Everett, for mayors Robert C. Anderson and Bill Moore.
Work experience: Everett Charter Review Commission (1995). Everett Citizen’s Salary Commission – Past chairman (1996-98). Everett Planning Commission (1999-current). Everett Shoreline Management Advisory Committee (1999-2000).
Personal experience: Snohomish County Boys &Girls Clubs – Board of Directors (since 1989). Everett Parks Foundation – Board of Directors (since 1993). Everett Public Schools Foundation – Board of Directors (since 2000). Everett-Port Gardner Rotary Club (since 1989). YMCA – campaigner in annual Invest in Youth Campaign.
Top 3 issues: 1. Enhancing public safety: With our rapid growth, we must provide new residents a level of fire and police protection enjoyed in older parts of the community. 2. Promoting greater parks and recreational opportunities: I support increased public access to shorelines and will work toward creating a bicycle and recreational trail along the waterfront. 3. Facilitating high-quality economic development: We must take steps to ensure that we attract high quality economic development to maintain a viable job base.
Why voters should pick me: Effective leadership will make the difference in navigating our future so that the quality of life in our community is enhanced. I have strong ties to this community and will work hard to ensure that it becomes the kind of place that my children – and yours – will want to return to.
Fun facts: I’ve climbed Mount Rainier and coached basketball since the eighth grade for the Boys and Girls Club.
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