Meet the candidates: Lynnwood Council Position 2

Age: 70

Residence: Lynnwood

Education: Montana State University, bachelor of science, civil engineering

Occupation: Construction management consultant

Political experience: Four years on Lynnwood City Council; council vice president.

Personal experience: More than 30 years of construction management consultant experience in various parts of the world and more than 20 states in the United States. Substantial dispute resolution experience including arbitration and mediation.

Top 3 issues:

1. The city center project with substantial improved services is the key to facilitating a better community for all.

2. To implement and control city development, especially in the city center area.

3. Traffic congestion is of prime concern to most Lynnwood citizens. The City Council must continue to prioritize improvements and support responsible plans to finance and implement the needed traffic congestion improvement projects.

In his own words: “I have four years experience on the Lynnwood City Council working with directors, the mayor and other council members through one-on-one sessions to ascertain the factual data required to make responsible decisions in the best interests of Lynnwood citizens.”

Fun fact: None submitted

Mark Smith

Age: 43

Residence: Lynnwood

Education: Lynnwood High ‘79; UW ‘86, bachelor’s degree, international relations

Occupation: Former university instructor, former small-business owner

Political experience: Worked on a variety of political campaigns; frequent attendance at Lynnwood City Council meetings.

Personal experience: As a university teacher, part of my job was to read reports and research papers to bring the most timely information and effective teaching to the classroom. As a small business owner, I was directly responsible for negotiating contracts, creating a long-range vision and implementing strategies to achieve that vision. I am an active community volunteer, serving on the city’s Neighborhood and Diversity Commission and the Multi-Cultural Family Fair.

Top 3 issues:

1. Growth: We must manage growth to protect the quality of life in our neighborhoods, support local businesses and attract new jobs.

2. Paine Field: Expansion of Paine Field will bring more noise and congestion and lower property values. Our community deserves better.

3. Fiscal responsibility: What is our vision for the future of Lynnwood? Are the City Council’s spending decisions achieving the desired outcomes to move us toward that vision?

In his own words: “I grew up in Lynnwood and my wife, Miho, and I are now raising our own kids (Hannah, 5 and Raymond, 3) here. I am deeply committed to protecting the quality of life in our city and building strong communities with hard work and neighbors helping neighbors.”

Fun fact: In my 20s, I spent a year backpacking around Africa.

Craig Spicer

Age: 47

Residence: Lynnwood

Education: Bachelor’s degree in history, secondary education from Boise State University, 1983.

Occupation: Painting contractor

Political experience: I run two political action committees, the WA Conservative PAC and the Quality of Life Council. Candidate for City Council 2001. Former director of Meadowdale Neighborhood Association.

Personal experience: Attended hundreds of hours of City Council meetings spanning seven years and testified on many issues, including advocating for 176th Street SW sidewalk and road renovation and issues relating to personal freedom. My input has resulted in a $2 million road and sidewalk project in our neighborhood and modifications in some plans and laws relating to other issues. Elder and teacher at Community Bible Fellowship.

Top 3 issues:

1. Personal freedom and constitutional government.

2. Basic services ensured with existing tax revenue.

3. Create a commission to review regulations.

In his own words: “I can help provide the council with long-term stability and a cheerful disposition. We need to protect our first-responders in budgeting. I have run a neighborhood organization and achieved proven results in city spending for our neighborhood. I would like to take that same energy and determination to the City Council to help other neighborhood groups. We need to develop small parks in many underserved neighborhoods as well. As a businessman, I’m concerned that businesses are getting tangled up in too much process and not enough results. Regulatory review and streamlining government processes is a must.”

Fun fact: I love spending time with my family.

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