ARLINGTON — Six people jumped into the race to lead the city when Mayor Margaret Larson decided in June against running for a third term.
The interest in the job, especially in a tough economy, surprised some people, including a few of the candidates.
On the primary ballot are Steve B
aker, Craig Christianson, Kari Ilonummi, Carsten Mullin, Debora Nelson and Barb Tolbert.
Baker, who currently serves on the City Council, believes some experience with the city is necessary to be an effective mayor.
“I was a little bit surprised when all of these people filed for office,” Baker said. “Being the mayor isn’t easy. It’s more than just showing up to run meetings. But then again, it’s good that people are interested.”
In this city of nearly 18,000 people, the mayor earns $1,500 a month, plus $50 for each meeting beyond the regular four or five council meetings each month, but totaling no more than an extra $1,000.
What happens in Arlington affects people outside the city limits, too, Mayor Larson often has said.
With that in mind, the candidates are quick to share their love of greater Arlington, their concern over its need for economic development and conservation of farmland and a hope for the city’s continued focus on parks and public safety.
Tolbert is executive director of the Arlington Fly-In. She also serves on the city’s airport commission and economic development committee and was chairwoman of Arlington’s emergency medical services levy election committee.
Nelson is a business owner and president of the Downtown Arlington Business Association.
Mullin, a member of the city’s Parks, Arts and Recreation Commission, is employed in the county’s information systems department.
Ilonummi, who frequently attends City Council meetings, ran unsuccessfully for the council in 2007 and 2009. Ilonummi has a debilitating neurological disease known as hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy, or peroneal muscular atrophy. Though he said he does not condone drug use, he has a doctor’s authorization under state law to use marijuana for medical purposes. He also has a arrest record that includes marijuana possession.
Christianson, the son of former Mayor Howard Christianson, served previously as an Arlington firefighter and is now with the Seattle Fire Department.
Baker, along with his work on the council, is a local contractor.
A candidate’s forum hosted by the police and fire unions of Arlington is tentatively set for 7 p.m. Aug. 4 at the Olympic Place retirement home, 20909 Olympic Place NE, Arlington.
Mail-in ballots are due Aug. 16.
Arlington mayor
Steve Baker
Age: 59
Occupation: City councilman, contracting company owner
Website: stevebakerformayor.com
Education: Attended San Diego City College
In their words: “We’ve been asleep at the wheel as far as economic development goes. Our financial picture isn’t good. Layoffs are hard, but we may need to cut. We also need to slow down our public works projects, because even grants need matching funds that we don’t have.”
Priorities: Make city departments run efficiently, rewards employees for cost-saving ideas, recruit new businesses. Develop the city’s new park on the former Graafstra dairy farm with donations of money and time.
Craig Christianson
Age: 54
Occupation: Seattle firefighter; local business owner
Website: www.ccformayor.com
Education: Attended Everett Community College
In their words: “People have been asking me to run for office for years, but I never would have campaigned against Margaret Larson. As a kid, I was always taught to be involved in our community. I really care about where we are headed as a city.”
Priorities: Keep city budget flush; hire local people for city jobs when possible.
Kari Ilonummi
Age: 28
Occupation: Disabled
Website: nospinnewssource.com
Education: High school
In their words: “I want to contribute and help the middle class. They see the severity and nature of this economic crisis. I am a leader, an organizer and a statesman and people are beginning to see that.”
Priorities: Wants to see help-wanted signs in town; balance city budget; plan town hall meeting with congressional representatives.
Carsten Mullin
Age: 36
Occupation: IT department at Snohomish County; city parks board and youth volunteer
Website: mullinformayor.us
Education: University of Washington
In their words: “I like giving back to this city. I understand city budgets, I easily grasp what needs to be done, I am a good listener, I look at all sides and I enjoy working with other leaders.”
Priorities: Balance budget without layoffs; encourage volunteers to care for city parks; maintain city streets and other infrastructure.
Debora Nelson
Age: 54
Occupation: Owns a photo studio and art gallery, president of Downtown Arlington Business Association, food bank volunteer
Website: deboranelson2011.com
Education: Attended Everett Community College, Seattle Lutheran Bible Institute
In their words: “We need big employers with family wage jobs. I think I have what it takes to encourage responsible growth at our airport business park.”
Priorities: Grow the economy by attracting “green” technology companies to the city; encourage the development of cafes and boutiques above the river behind Thrifty Foods grocery store; make the Island Crossing neighborhood a better gateway to downtown Arlington.
Barbara Tolbert
Age: 52
Occupation: Arlington Fly-In executive director, city airport commissioner, Arlington-Smokey Point Chamber board member, hospital foundation president
Website: www.barbtolbert.com
Education: Attended Grand Valley State University, Michigan; Bellevue Community College
In their words: “There are a lot of challenges ahead, but we have a great airport, a rail line that runs through the city, we’re close to the freeway and we have a quality of life that should attract new business.”
Priorities: Economic development, with support to existing businesses; Public safety; Preserve and promote what makes Arlington special; Continue partnerships with school district, hospital, Stillaguamish Tribe.
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