Not much rancor in mayor’s race

By Theresa Goffredo

Herald Writer

EVERETT — Mayoral candidate David Sherman and incumbent Mayor Ed Hansen kept the back-and-forth positive Monday. But Sherman did get in at least one jab against the city’s bus system, Everett Transit.

"I’d like to look at the books, because I think Everett Transit is a cash cow and the money’s not being spent on better service," Sherman said.

Hansen countered calmly: "I welcome the review. I believe Everett Transit is lean and mean."

And such went the gentlemanly debate at Everett Community College between these two candidates and six others running for three Everett city council positions during a candidates forum sponsored by the college, the League of Women Voters and the Everett-Area Chamber of Commerce.

Hansen, running for a third term, made hay with his eight years experience as mayor, having to balance a budget during hard times and ready to tighten the belt again as the city faces the impact from massive Boeing layoffs.

Hansen, who worked for 10 years as the lawyer for the Port of Everett, also tackled tough questions on transportation by pointing to Everett Station and the Pacific Avenue overpass as solutions. Both projects are on-schedule and within budget.

Sherman, an electrical engineer who has run his own business since 1988, says he wants to "restore a bit of democracy to the government of our city," believing that neighborhood associations need to have a louder voice in making decisions that affect Everett.

Sherman also believes money needs to be found to increase lanes on I-5 to improve traffic flow. And Sherman has maintained that a Hewitt and Broadway site is a bad place to put a hockey arena and special events center.

City council candidate Mary Ehrlich, running for Position 1, said citizens have a right to be heard more and have a right to greater access to the shoreline. Ehrlich, who runs a bed and breakfast with her husband, believes tourism should be a focus of the city to diversify its economy. Her opponent, incumbent Frank Anderson, says he’s done a lot to revitalize downtown but knows the city can do more.

Incumbent Councilman David Simpson, who holds Position 2, knows all too well that Boeing’s announcement of layoffs will affect the city. Simpson, a Boeing employee, believes over the next four years the city will have to "look at other opportunities for jobs to come to our city." His opponent, attorney and planning commissioner Mark Olson, said the city needs to bring high-quality business to Everett. Also, city leaders will have to do some "prudent planning and prudent budgeting" and not take any bold steps while waiting for the economy to stabilize.

Dan Warnock holds council seat Position 3. He believes the city has seen Everett’s up-and-down economic trend before and said the city must bring new businesses to town. He believes a high-rise can be built on Colby, bringing another 4,000 to 5,000 jobs.

Warnock’s opponent, Arlan Hatloe, had a prior commitment and could not attend the forum.

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

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

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