MUKILTEO — Longtime parks and arts commissioner Linda Grafer was leading Tuesday in the lone contested race for a seat on the Mukilteo City Council.
Grafer, 66, was ahead of community activist Pat Kessler in the race for Council Position 6. The seat is currently held by Councilwoman Lori Kaiser, who opted not to seek re-election.
Council members serve four-year terms and are paid a $500 monthly stipend.
Grafer helped create the 92nd Street Park, as well as the city’s long-term plan for acquiring parks and open space. During the mid-1990s, when the city had to close its library because of funding shortfalls, Grafer helped plan a successful tax levy that allowed the city to build a new library.
City Council President Jennifer Gregerson and Councilman Tony Tinsley ran unopposed for re-election. Newcomer Emily Vanderwielin also ran unopposed for City Council Position 5, which is currently held by Bruce Richter, the council’s most veteran member who is retiring.
Lynnwood
Longtime City Councilman Jim Smith held a slim lead over Christopher Boyer, a minister, in the race for Council Position 7.
Smith has served more than 20 years on the council. He ran on a platform of opposing tax increases and pursuing a standalone senior center.
Boyer, a Good Shepherd Baptist Church minister in Lynnwood, wants to bring new energy to the council and encourage more affordable housing. He spent election night watching television at home with his wife.
“With that margin, anything could happen at this point,” Boyer said.
In the race for Council Position 6, incumbent Ted Hikel was leading city planning commissioner Patrick Decker. Newcomer Stephanie Wright was leading Robin Dode in the race for Council Position 5 — the seat currently held by Ed Dos Remedios, who was appointed in January 2006.
The winners get four-year terms on the seven-member council and are paid $18,600 per year.
Mill Creek
Incumbent Mike Todd was on pace Tuesday to retain his seat with a lead in the Council Position 6 race over Ed McNichol, a University of Washington employee.
In the race for Council Position 5, Microsoft team manager Mark Harmsworth was leading Chuck Wright, a retired probation and parole officer. The council seat is currently held by Dale Hensley, who is not seeking re-election.
Todd said during his campaign that he wants to encourage the construction of a senior center, play fields and other amenities in the city. Harmsworth said he wants to hold Snohomish County accountable for construction happening just outside the city.
Councilman Mark Bond ran unopposed for re-election for Council Position 7.
Mill Creek City Council members are paid a monthly stipend of $500 to oversee the city of 17,060 people.
Mountlake Terrace
In Mountlake Terrace, incumbent Councilwoman Michelle Robles was leading Sharon Maynard, a longtime teacher and community organizer, in the race for Council Position 5. Councilwoman Laura Sonmore was leading community activist Leonard French in her re-election bid for Council Position 6. In the race for Council Position 7, incumbent Councilman John Zambrano was leading William Knorr, a foster parent.
Woodway
In Woodway, challenger Mike Quinn held a lead over incumbent Councilman Peter Block in the race for Council Position 4. Block has held the council seat since 1994.
In the race for Council Position 5, incumbent Councilman Henry Veldman was also trailing to newcomer Kevin Fiske. Veldman was recently appointed to the City Council after serving on the city’s planning commission since 1999.
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