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.

Talk to us

More in Local News

Cars move across Edgewater Bridge toward Everett on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023, in Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edgewater Bridge redo linking Everett, Mukilteo delayed until mid-2024

The project, now with an estimated cost of $27 million, will detour West Mukilteo Boulevard foot and car traffic for a year.

Lynn Deeken, the Dean of Arts, Learning Resources & Pathways at EvCC, addresses a large gathering during the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new Cascade Learning Center on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, at Everett Community College in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
New EvCC learning resource center opens to students, public

Planners of the Everett Community College building hope it will encourage students to use on-campus tutoring resources.

Everett Police Chief Dan Templeman announces his retirement after 31 years of service at the Everett City Council meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett police chief to retire at the end of October

Chief Dan Templeman announced his retirement at Wednesday’s City Council meeting. He has been chief for nine years.

Boeing employees watch the KC-46 Pegasus delivery event  from the air stairs at Boeing on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Boeing’s iconic Everett factory tour to resume in October

After a three-year hiatus, tours of the Boeing Company’s enormous jet assembly plant are back at Paine Field.

A memorial for a 15-year-old shot and killed last week is set up at a bus stop along Harrison Road on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Teen boy identified in fatal shooting at Everett bus stop

Bryan Tamayo-Franco, 15, was shot at a Hardeson Road bus stop earlier this month. Police arrested two suspects.

Lynnwood
Fatal 2-car crash closes Highway 99 in Lynnwood

Police closed off Highway 99 between 188th Street SW and 196th Street SW while they investigated.

Mike Bredstrand, who is trying to get back his job with Lake Stevens Public Works, stands in front of the department’s building on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. Bredstrand believes his firing in July was an unwarranted act of revenge by the city. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Lake Stevens worker was fired after getting court order against boss

The city has reportedly spent nearly $60,000 on attorney and arbitration fees related to Mike Bredstrand, who wants his job back.

Chap Grubb, founder and CEO of second-hand outdoor gear store Rerouted, stands inside his new storefront on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, in Gold Bar, Washington. Rerouted began as an entirely online shop that connected buyers and sellers of used gear.  (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Used outdoor gear shop Rerouted finds a niche in Gold Bar

Seeking to keep good outdoor gear out of landfills, an online reselling business has put down roots in Gold Bar.

Naval Station Everett. (Chuck Taylor / Herald file)
Everett man sentenced to 6 years for cyberstalking ex-wife

Christopher Crawford, 42, was found guilty of sending intimate photos of his ex-wife to adult websites and to colleagues in the Navy.

Most Read