By Theresa Goffredo
Herald Writer
EVERETT — The common thread in the race for Everett City Council Position 3 is that each of the three candidates wants the job so he can give something back to the community.
Candidates Arlan Hatloe and Roy Sykes are running against incumbent Dan Warnock for the four-year council spot, which pays $18,000 a year. The two top vote-getters in the Sept. 18 primary advance to the general election Nov. 6.
Hatloe, 60, owner of Hatloe’s Decorating Center, said his history in Everett goes back to his grandfather and, because the city has been so good to his family, he has a "heartfelt desire to make a difference."
Hatloe said his business background of managing people and budgets has prepared him for the council job and has shown him that Everett needs to diversify its economic base, such as attracting more high-tech industry.
"It’s clean and in demand, and it creates better-paying jobs and will encourage a better quality of life for all of us," Hatloe said.
A member of Everett’s special-events center selection committee, Hatloe believes the events center and hockey arena proposed for downtown is a project that serves a variety of community needs, including a second ice rink for family skating, and concerts and trade shows for family entertainment.
With 25 years experience as a teacher, counselor and social services administrator, Sykes said he wants the council spot to continue his involvement in community service and to shake up the complexion of the council.
"There’s not enough variety on the council. There are business people and retired people," Sykes said.
Everett’s leadership is unduly influenced by business decisions, Sykes said. He uses the special-events center as a case in point where the city decided to displace seniors and business owners and dismantle historic buildings solely for a business reason.
"Business and commerce is one thing but not at the expense of people or the quality of life," Sykes said. "The first question in these matters should be: How will this impact the people of Everett?"
Sykes, 51, said his background in dealing with homeless people and minorities will allow him and the city to better reach out to those under-represented members of the community. Sykes also said he will give away half of his council salary, and believes council members should ultimately be volunteers. He also says all city department heads should live within the city.
Warnock said his greatest contribution to the council and the city has been his ability to ask tough questions.
"It’s another way of giving back to the community," Warnock said of wanting to continue for another term. "I’m hoping to help carry the thoughts and wishes of the people that live here into the decision-making process."
Warnock, president of Dan Warnock Insurance Inc., said he plans to pursue a "balanced approach" to the economic needs of Everett, encouraging the city to be more aggressive in attracting companies from across the country to locate here.
On transportation, Warnock said he and the current council have been active in lobbying Olympia and Washington, D.C., for help in improving Everett’s gridlock problems.
The 50-year-old Warnock said he’s a "real believer in protecting neighborhoods" and plans to continue efforts so that residential and commercial developments can live compatibly.
"I believe we can get there with all people sitting at the table and working through these problems, because this one hits everybody in the back yard and in the front yard," Warnock said.
You can call Herald Writer Theresa Goffredo at 425-339-3097
or send e-mail to goffredo@heraldnet.com.
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