The four-way primary race for mayor of Lynnwood reflects almost perfectly what’s right and wrong about the city’s political leadership.
Two longtime City Council members, Don Gough and Jim Smith, are challenging the incumbent, Mike McKinnon, who has long been the subject of their criticism. McKinnon says Gough and Smith have made his job more difficult, claiming they’ve tried to micromanage.
All have credentials that suggest they could do the job, and each clearly has the city’s best interests at heart. Lynnwood has made progress over the past few years, to be sure, with exciting retail growth and traffic improvements (yes, there’s need for more of the latter). The city’s long-planned City Center project has the potential to create an exciting new downtown core. Yet city government’s reputation for often moving too slowly is made worse by the ongoing strife between the council and mayor’s office, suggesting that a change is needed.
Enter the fourth candidate, political newcomer Bill Vance. He hasn’t held public office before, but he’s a well-seasoned leader. Vance has spent the past 28 years as a manager at Qwest and more than two decades leading some large volunteer organizations, including the Taste of Edmonds and the huge Seafair festival.
Vance would bring ability, energy and vision to the job, and he articulates well the characteristics of an effective mayor: having a clear line of communication with staff, setting well-defined expectations, and facilitating a strong relationship between the staff and City Council. He also knows that as the hub of South Snohomish County, Lynnwood has a critical regional role to play with county government, the Puget Sound Regional Council and other agencies on key issues like transportation planning.
Perhaps most importantly, Vance understands that issues can’t be debated to the point of inaction. He pledges to offer his vision and stand up for it, but understands that the ability to compromise is the key to moving the city forward.
That’s an ability we suspect is lacking among the other three candidates. Lynnwood has too much potential to allow political squabbling to hold it back.
Our endorsement of Vance isn’t an indictment of McKinnon, Gough or Smith. Indeed, each contributed to the city’s success.
McKinnon, despite criticism from some, has done a credible job as mayor. He has made good regional, state and national contacts, and has helped secure important grants for the city. Criticism of his management style is subjective, and is likely overstated.
Gough is a highly capable planner with solid technical abilities, and he brings regional planning experience to the table. He understands budgets thoroughly, and says he would give city department heads the support they need to succeed.
Smith, making his third run for mayor after 18 years on the council, has made substantial regional contributions as well, and currently serves as chairman of the Snohomish County Board of Health, a reflection of other leaders’ respect for him.
We simply can’t overlook the energy and vision of the newcomer, and the chance it gives Lynnwood for a fresh start. At a time when the city must reach consensus on how to proceed with its defining City Center project, the time appears right to elect Bill Vance.
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