Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson (center) talks with Alaska Airlines Inc. CEO Brad Tilden after the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Paine Field passenger terminal June 5 in Everett. (Andy Bronson / Herald file)

Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson (center) talks with Alaska Airlines Inc. CEO Brad Tilden after the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Paine Field passenger terminal June 5 in Everett. (Andy Bronson / Herald file)

The 14-year Ray Stephanson era is coming to an end

The Herald sits down to talk to the outgoing Everett mayor about his long tenure, which ends Sunday.

EVERETT — Ray Stephanson plans to retire Dec. 31, after 14 years as Everett’s mayor.

Question: What do you hope people remember about your legacy?

Answer: The fact that we have Washington State University in the city of Everett and Snohomish County. … That research institution will have impacts on generations to come, and that is what I am most proud of.

Q: What has guided you in making difficult and complex choices?

A: In 2004 we did a vision process with a few dozen citizens that really defined our vision and our efforts over the last 14 years. Higher education was a part of that, commercial air service at Paine Field was another significant part of that, growing the economy and growing jobs, which I think we’ve been successful with, and ensuring that Naval Station Everett remains robust and an important part of our national defense.

Q: But, philosophically?

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

A: Well, it may sound quaint but I always try to do the right thing. For every decision a mayor makes there are consequences, there are political consequences and consequences with businesses, with citizens’ opinions. Obviously I’ve tried to do the research necessary with every decision I’ve made and tried to make a decision that would really be in the long-term best interests of the city of Everett.

Q: What has changed about the city?

A: The economy changes, the way jobs are created, it changes and grows, and I think in public life we can have an impact on that. I think about our collective work on Boeing and the 787 and the 777 … Making some of those tough choices, that weren’t always popular but really protected the job base … In the ’80s, we were very dependent on aerospace, really at significant risk when there were downturns, and that was one of the big reasons why there was such a public push to bring Naval Station Everett here. Because we knew and other bases had shown that even in a downturn in the economy, the base would remain.

… What hasn’t changed is that small-town feel the city continues to have. Everybody knows everybody’s business, whether that’s good or bad.

As a line forms, Mayor Ray Stephanson (right) smiles as he and Mike Deller shake hands before a farewell celebration for the mayor in the Ed Hansen Conference Center at Xfinity Arena on Dec. 12 in Everett. (Andy Bronson / Herald file)

As a line forms, Mayor Ray Stephanson (right) smiles as he and Mike Deller shake hands before a farewell celebration for the mayor in the Ed Hansen Conference Center at Xfinity Arena on Dec. 12 in Everett. (Andy Bronson / Herald file)

Q: In the past year or two, what are some of the issues you’ve lost the most sleep over?

A: Helping the homeless and those with addiction. That really has been the biggest challenge that there’s not an easy fix to. It’s not like recruiting a company … It’s a problem that is complex and in my view it will take years if not decades to fix. … I think we’ve set a solid foundation with supportive housing and services, but there is so much more to do.

Q: What are you looking forward to now?

Being able to choose the next chapter of our life on our terms. I want to spend more time with family, the kids and grandkids … I want to travel. Vicki and I love to do road trips. And I want to see as much of the U.S. as we can.

Q: Do you have advice for the next mayor?

A: The issues that are important moving forward, obviously the Purdue (opioids) lawsuit comes to mind, cleaning up the Kimberly-Clark property is a priority I think the city should continue to stay focused on, growing jobs … (but) I’m not going to be your critic. This is a tough job.

Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson (right) and Washington State University Everett Chancellor Paul Pitre cut the ribbon during an open house at the new Washington State University Everett building Aug. 15 in Everett. (Andy Bronson / Herald file)

Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson (right) and Washington State University Everett Chancellor Paul Pitre cut the ribbon during an open house at the new Washington State University Everett building Aug. 15 in Everett. (Andy Bronson / Herald file)

Q: Is there anything you’d do differently?

A: There’s always going to be something else to do. The work is never done. That’s always been the hard part for me to realize … I don’t have any regrets. I wish we were further along in supportive housing and services, but I think we’ve laid a good foundation … I feel good about the major initiatives that we worked on and the teamwork that occurred.

Q: Is there anything you would tell yourself 14 years ago, if you could?

A: Even having 30 years of private sector experience, when you first come to a new job like being mayor, you make mistakes … The main thing I would say is we’re all human, we’re going to make mistakes, we’re going to do things we wish would have done differently. … I’ve tried to admit when I’ve made a mistake and think we should go in a different direction, and I frankly think that’s a strength, not a weakness.

Q: What were some of the steepest learning curves?

A: Probably the biggest challenge we had was going through eight years of recession. A lot of the things we were starting on and working on in 2004 and 2005 and 2006, around Riverfront (and) the development at the port, were put on hold because of the economy. Things in government often times don’t move very quickly. That’s frustrating, so you really have to be focused for the long term and you have to be patient but at the same time persistent and just keep focused on what you think is most important.

Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson looks over the city Jan. 5, 2015. Stephanson saw Utah’s housing first model dealing with homelessness first before tackling related issues as one Everett and Snohomish County should adopt. (Andy Bronson/ Herald file)

Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson looks over the city Jan. 5, 2015. Stephanson saw Utah’s housing first model dealing with homelessness first before tackling related issues as one Everett and Snohomish County should adopt. (Andy Bronson/ Herald file)

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

A: It has been a tremendous honor for me to serve as mayor, and I’m very appreciative of the support I’ve gotten from citizens. I really tried to spend a lot of time in neighborhood meetings and citizen events and tried to listen. I find the most influence I’ve had in making public policy and doing the things that are important for the city really come from the people. It doesn’t come from sitting in my office and thinking I have all the answers. … You have to be willing to listen and sometimes agree and sometimes disagree when people have different ideas. And I’ve tried to do that. I’ve been working for a lot of years but public service is the best work I’ve ever done, the most rewarding.

Q: Do you think you’ll be able to go anywhere in town incognito now?

A: If I grow my hair real long.

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @rikkiking.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Marysville is planning a new indoor sports facility, 350 apartments and a sizable hotel east of Ebey Waterfront Park. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New report shifts outlook of $25M Marysville sports complex

A report found a conceptual 100,000-square-foot sports complex may require public investment to pencil out.

Police Cmdr. Scott King answers questions about the Flock Safety license plate camera system on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mountlake Terrace approves Flock camera system after public pushback

The council approved the $54,000 license plate camera system agreement by a vote of 5-2.

Cascadia College Earth and Environmental Sciences Professor Midori Sakura looks in the surrounding trees for wildlife at the North Creek Wetlands on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cascadia College ecology students teach about the importance of wetlands

To wrap up the term, students took family and friends on a guided tour of the North Creek wetlands.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen goes through an informational slideshow about the current budget situation in Edmonds during a roundtable event at the Edmonds Waterfront Center on Monday, April 7, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds mayor recommends $19M levy lid lift for November

The city’s biennial budget assumed a $6 million levy lid lift. The final levy amount is up to the City Council.

A firefighting helicopter carries a bucket of water from a nearby river to the Bolt Creek Fire on Saturday, Sep. 10, 2022, on U.S. 2 near Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Snohomish County property owners can prepare for wildfire season

Clean your roofs, gutters and flammable material while completing a 5-foot-buffer around your house.

(City of Everett)
Everett’s possible new stadium has a possible price tag

City staff said a stadium could be built for $82 million, lower than previous estimates. Bonds and private investment would pay for most of it.

Jennifer Humelo, right, hugs Art Cass outside of Full Life Care Snohomish County on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘I’ll lose everything’: Snohomish County’s only adult day health center to close

Full Life Care in Everett, which supports adults with disabilities, will shut its doors July 19 due to state funding challenges.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Snohomish County Board of Health looking to fill vacancy

The county is accepting applications until the board seat is filled.

A recently finished log jam is visible along the Pilchuck River as a helicopter hovers in the distance to pick up a tree for another log jam up river on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 in Granite Falls, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tulalip Tribes and DNR team up on salmon restoration project along the Pilchuck River

Tulalip Tribes and the state Department of Natural Resources are creating 30 log jams on the Upper Pilchuck River for salmon habitat.

Everett High School graduate Gwen Bundy high fives students at her former grade school Whittier Elementary during their grad walk on Thursday, June 12, 2018 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Literally the best’: Grads celebrated at Everett elementary school

Children at Whittier Elementary cheered on local high school graduates as part of an annual tradition.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.