MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — Three candidates are vying for the same spot on the Mountlake Terrace City Council.
Kim Michel and Seaun Richards are challenging incumbent John Zambrano in the Aug. 16 primary. The top two vote-getters will face off in the Nov. 8 general election.
Mountlake Terrac
e is one of the few cities in the state without major budget problems. The council’s greatest priority is keeping it that way. Revitalizing the city, getting a new city hall and community center, and attracting new businesses also are key issues for Mountlake Terrace.
Mountlake Terrace is governed by the City Council and city manager, who implements policies adopted by councilmembers. Councilmembers are paid $800 a month.
Zambrano, who is retired, has been on the council since 2004. He served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years and worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 22 years. He publishes a weekly newsletter called Z-Man Community News to promote transparency in city government.
Zambrano is president of the Emergency Services Coordinating Agency and has served on the board of directors for SnoCom, a dispatch center serving southwest Snohomish County.
Michel, one of the challengers, works as a training and development manager at Merrill Gardens. She wants to educate people about everything the city has to offer.
“When I moved here five years ago, I never knew about all the services and opportunities that were available to me,” she said.
She also want to make sure proper regulations are in place for medical marijuana.
Richards, the third candidate, is the owner of the popular Red Onion restaurant. He has been in the restaurant business for more than 20 years and wants to use his experience to benefit the city. He described his education as “two degrees from the school of hard knocks.”
“This town has been good to us, and it’s a way to give back,” he said.
Katya Yefimova: 425-339-3452; kyefimova@ heraldnet.com.
Mountlake Terrace City Council, position 7 (nonpartisan office)
The primary is Aug. 16.
Kim Michel
Age: 37
Occupation: Training and development manager at Merrill Gardens
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management from Towson University in Towson, Md. She has completed a strategic HR leadership program at the University of Washington and holds certification for senior professionals in human resources.
In her words: “I would make sure we continue to keep our finances in line and provide a good community for everyone who chooses to live in Mountlake Terrace.”
Priorities: Sound and stable finances, consideration of a new downtown and transit center, regulation of medical marijuana collective gardens and any future dispensaries.
Seaun Richards
Age: 53
Occupation: Owner of the Red Onion restaurant.
Education: Two years of community college studying business.
In his words: “I’ve been self-employed for about 20 years and would like to bring that experience to the council. I would like to use my experience to help Mountlake Terrace stay in the black.”
Priorities: Help the people of Mountlake Terrace get their messages across to officials, improve the business community, work with councilmembers and not against them.
John Zambrano
Age: 70
Occupation: Retired
Education: Bachelor of science in management from Central Washington University and a two-year business degree from Edmonds Community College.
In his words: “I have voted for a balanced city budget, a plan for an aggressive street-paving program, restoring our infrastructure in water and sewer, increased public safety and for revitalizing the downtown corridor.”
Priorities: Balanced budget, business economic development, government transparency.
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