While the Lynnwood City Council has traveled some rocky roads in the last four years, two members up for re-election, Martin “Marty” Nelson and Ruth Ross, have been rock solid and should be retained.
Both incumbents were on the ground floor of Lynnwood’s proposed City Center project downtown and want to see it implemented immediately, as it should be.
Nelson’s Position 2 opponent, Mark Smith, a political newcomer and enthusiastic city supporter, said he has concerns about some of the design of the City Center, and if elected, would want to take another look at the plans. The plans, however, have been under development for years, and the project is ready to go. Ross’ opponent, Bob Young, also expressed concern about the scale of the project.
Nelson and Ross are rightfully proud of the City Center design, which includes open spaces, underground parking, a big park and is pedestrian friendly. It will be a welcome space for the citizens of Lynnwood.
Nelson, 70, brings to the council extensive construction and civil engineering experience, which is a huge bonus for a city trying to tame traffic and fix streets. He acknowledges the tension between the council and the mayor and says it is a priority to build trust and respect between the city departments, the mayor and council.
Nelson speaks up for an under-represented group – the elderly. He notes that while the goal of the city is to have more single-family homes, many older people want to live in condos or apartments. He, and Ross, say making sure that such developments are top quality is the key to making older citizens welcome in the city, rather than looked down upon.
Ross, 44, proudly calls herself a public servant and has a broad vision for the city. She speaks of the need for better planning and diversifying the tax base. Ross wants to focus on neighborhoods, protecting existing ones, helping them forge identities and slowing down the traffic that runs through them.
Ross is insightful on the issue of diversity, saying a major focus must be on public safety, ensuring that all Lynnwood citizens facing a crisis, regardless of their language, know how to contact the police and fire departments.
Smith sits on the city’s diversity committee and we hope he will continue in that role, bringing his enthusiasm for the city and neighborhoods with him. Young joined the other candidates in identifying the huge need for citizens to have more ways to drive through town and also have adequate public transit to do so.
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