Snohomish, a city of about 9,500 that is known for its historic district and antique shops, is confronting issues common to many cities, including the need to upgrade its infrastructure and improve things like parks that attract residents and businesses, and do that work without requiring more than taxpayers can support.
The city’s government, a council-manager system, has three city council positions up for election.
Position No. 1: Incumbent Lynn Schilaty, who is finishing her second term on the council is challenged by Alexander Suprenant for the position. Suprenant declined to be interviewed by The Herald Editorial Board.
Schilaty was born and raised in Snohomish and graduated from Snohomish High School before earning a law degree.
She, like the other current council members, supported a proposal that voters rejected in August to create a municipal parks district that would have been responsible for setting and collecting a property tax levy of up to 75 cents per $1,000 of assessed value to support the city’s parks and recreation programs. Even with her support, Schilaty was up-front about the potential impact for taxpayers. “If you’re not prepared to pay 75 cents, you shouldn’t vote for this,” she said during a May council meeting.
Schilaty notes the level of complexities in the issues the council is facing, particularly the budget as the city now contemplates how to pay for park maintenance. She has used her time on the council well to prepare for the issues during the past two terms and deserves re-election to a third term.
Position No. 2: Karen Guzak has served on the council since 2008 and was first appointed as mayor by the council in 2010. She runs a yoga business. Her challenger, Larry Countryman, who owns a bed and breakfast inn, has previously served two stints on the council, once for eight years and again for four.
Countryman said he is running again because of his concerns for residents as the city addresses taxes and utility rates. He opposed the parks district and wants to see the city hold down utility rate increases.
Guzak said the city has been cost-conscious and, following the rejection of the parks district, says she plans to pursue grants to address some park needs. This coming year it will also need to weigh the costs of replacing waterlines and whether to contract with Everett for water from the Spada Lake reservoir while keeping its rights to water from the Pilchuck River.
Guzak demonstrates energy and an ease with her knowledge on the issues facing the city. The council’s decisions to select her as mayor to three two-year terms speaks to her fellow council members’ confidence in her leadership. Guzak merits a return to office.
Position No. 3: Paul Kaftanski is completing his first term on the city council. He is director or the Everett Parks and Recreation Department. He is opposed by Zachary Wilde, a Snohomish native who is employed as a Boeing project manager. Wilde was unable to attend the editorial board interview, but was not supportive of the parks district, wants to improve pedestrian safety and has suggested annxing an area to the city’s northwest, south of U.S. 2.
Kaftanski, in his first term, has focused on the city’s budget, business development and infrastructure.
Among the city’s successes in controlling costs, Kaftanski pointed to the city’s arrangement with the state Department of Ecology to make changes at its sewage treatment plant lagoon system, rather than spending $44 million to connect to Everett’s sewage treatment facilities.
Regarding the city’s parks, Kaftanski said Snohomish has created a good parks system but will now have to address its maintenance needs without losing employees or closing parks.
Kaftanski’s management experience and his easy manner have served the council well during his first four years. The voters should return him for a second term.
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