Lynnwood, like other cities in Snohomish County, can be thankful as the economy in the state and the county continues its rebound, but the resumption in growth brings challenges as the city of nearly 37,000 residents, which can double throughout the day thanks to commuters and shoppers, addresses transportation, public safety and other issues.
Four of Lynnwood City Council positions are up for election this year. Prior to the primary election in August, The Herald Editorial Board endorsed incumbent Loren Simmonds for Position No. 4 and challenger Chris Frizzell for Position No. 5.
Position No. 7: Van AuBuchon, completing his first term on the council, has lived in Lynnwood since 1983 and is an information technology consultant. He previously served on the city planning commission.
His challenger, Shannon Sessions, also a longtime resident, is an Air Force veteran with experience as a firefighter, a former journalist and public information officer for the Lynnwood Police Department. She now operates a safety consulting firm.
While Sessions offers first-hand knowledge in public safety issues and has the backing of local fire and police unions, AuBuchon draws on broader experience, particularly in handling land use, financial and budget issues.
Along with his past work on the planning commission and his current service as liaison to that panel, AuBuchon worked with the city’s Visioning Lynnwood task force in identifying a framework to guide community decisions.
AuBuchon correctly identifies the city’s top funding priorities for police, fire and roads and is best prepared to help lead those discussions as part of the council as it continues to address issues of fire service regionalization and road maintenance.
But AuBuchon also recognizes the limits to adding to the tax burden and has advised restraint.
Position 6: Sid Roberts also is completing his first term on the council and is the council’s liaison to the county health board and Community Transit. He is employed as a real estate broker.
Challenger George Hurst has been a Lynnwood resident for 22 years and currently serves on the city planning commission and is past vice chairman of the city’s transportation traffic task force.
Both candidates are equally matched in their knowledge of the growth, finance and transportation issues facing the city.
Noting the request in the Nov. 3 election by Community Transit to add to sales tax rate, Roberts voted against a proposal to add to the city’s sale tax to fund road maintenance projects, a vote that Hurst agrees with, though both also agree the city must make funding available to avoid higher costs that likely would result from delayed maintenance. (Roberts did vote for a smaller increase, a tenth of a cent, to the sales tax rate, but that measure failed.)
Both also advise a cautious but fair look at the issue of fire district regionalization that doesn’t risk a reduction in service or loss of control of tax revenue. Roberts said that should regionalization be approved any tax increase should be set by the city and go to its general fund.
Roberts joined the council at a time of upheaval and division and says he has worked to change the tone of the council, a task that he and others on the council have largely accomplished. Hurst, who is equally amiable and has demonstrated commitment to public service, would likely continue that tone, but we see no reason to replace Roberts.
Clarification: This editorial now reflects Sid Roberts earlier vote in support of a smaller increase to the sales tax for road projects and clarifies his position on a regional fire district.
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