By Janice Podsada
Herald Writer
EDMONDS — A spate of political newcomers is seeking election to the city council in Edmonds. They are vying with one another for three of four city council positions. Only one incumbent, Michael Plunkett, is seeking re-election.
All eight candidates agree — the Brightwater treatment plant, King County’s third wastewater treatment plant, should not be located in Edmonds.
In the Nov. 6 general election, a vote for any city council candidate is a vote against Brightwater.
That said, maintaining the city’s quality of life, its view corridors and encouraging business growth emerged as the three major issues.
But candidates disagree on how to best achieve those goals.
Michael Plunkett, 49, in real estate sales, is seeking his second term. He opposes Brightwater, supports maintaining the city’s height restrictions — preserving the city’s view corridors — and would favor construction of an arts or regional center if it adds to the city’s coffers.
Plunkett has been endorsed by the Medic 7 paramedics, Edmonds Firefighters and the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce.
"That should demonstrate that I’ve done good work for the community," he said.
Candidate Richard Demeroutis, 46, who works in construction, is a longtime council watchdog.
He opposes Brightwater, but claims the council "dragged it’s feet," waiting too long to pass a resolution against the treatment plant. By the time it passed, the Edmonds site was a week away from being named as one of two final candidate sites, he said.
While the current council is good at "funding day-to-day functions, they’re not proactive when it comes to funding the city’s long-term needs," such as roads and sewer lines, Demeroutis said.
"The council has become a network of good old boys. I will bring some community input."
The seat was vacated when councilman Chris Davis resigned this summer after being charged with a felony. Two political newcomers, Deanna Dawson and Michael P. Lowell, are seeking the seat.
Dawson, 31, an attorney, sits on the Brightwater Siting Committee. But she opposes its construction in Edmonds.
"I helped develop the criteria," Dawson said. "I think I’m the only candidate who is really knowledgeable about the issue. I’ve been trying to explain to King County why Edmonds is not a desirable site."
Dawson opposes raising the city’s 30-foot building height limit. The Edmonds Public Facilities District is looking at the feasibility of an arts or regional center , 60- or 70-feet tall.
"I’m really skeptical of this project," Dawson said. "I don’t think we need some six-story building in downtown.
"We need to take a hard look at its viability — Lynnwood and Everett are looking at building the same kind of centers."
Lowell, a manager at Boeing, 43, said its time to give back to the city in which he was raised.
That means no Brightwater plant, he said.
"We need to be as vocal as possible to steer them elsewhere, The Unocal land lends itself to potential economic development."
To stabilize property taxes Lowell said the city must encourage economic growth and new businesses.
"Maintaining the city is going to become tougher if Initiative 747 passes," he added.
I-747 would limit annual property tax increases to one-percent unless voters say otherwise.
"I think Dawson’s got her eyes on higher agendas. She’s got a bigger war chest. I’m a campaign of one."
When Tom Miller announced he would not seek re-election because of a job transfer, political newcomers Sydney Locke, 70, and Jeff Wilson, 42, entered the ring.
Locke, a longtime political activist, opposes Brightwater, the creation of the PFD and the plans to build a hotel or regional center near downtown.
The city’s unbalanced budget is the major bug-a-boo.
"We must trim our spending to live within our present tax level." That means, "no more property tax increases," he said.
Wilson spent 10 years as Edmonds’ planning supervisor.
Brightwater? Forget about it.
"Edmonds has absorbed two treatment plants. We’ve taken the fair share of regional projects."
Wilson said he’ll bring his expertise as a planning professional to the city council. If I-747 passes, the city will need to focus on revenue growth in its business sector. An arts or regional center could be an asset, and it could generate revenues, if it is self-sustaining. The feasibility study is still being conducted.
"Until we see that, we don’t know. I have to see the numbers first."
"As a city planner, I’ve been oriented toward developing policies to promote the community."
Since January Position 6 has been occupied by Richard Marin. The council appointed him to the seat after Councilman Jim White was appointed to a municipal judgeship.
Marin, 56, opposes Brightwater. That said, the biggest issue facing the city is a decline in revenues.
If I-747 passes, the city will take another hit, he predicted.
"I sat in on the budget process this year," Marin said. "We had $1.7 million worth of decision packages — how do you finance the things you have to do and the things you ought to do.
"We need to figure out ways to attract new businesses and support the ones that are there now."
Marin, who is retired, said he has the experience, community support and the time to devote to the job.
Seaun Richards, 44, wants to "give back" to Edmonds, the city that’s supported his business through the years. A restaurant owner, Richards said the position has given him "a pulse on the community. I’m involved with the community, whereas my opponent doesn’t have the same opportunities that I have," Richards said.
He said the city needs to reduce the tax burden to home and condominium owners.
"We need to come up with more ideas on how to keep property taxes in check."
He supports a regional center— if it can pay its own way.
"Being in business, an arts or regional center would be a 100 percent plus for the city."
You can call Herald Writer Janice Podsada at 425-339-3029 or send e-mail to podsada@heraldnet.com.
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