Sinclair, Sullivan have what council needs

Snohomish County’s growth and all the issues that spin off from it are complex and potentially polarizing. To deal with them successfully, County Council members need a firm grounding in the many nuances of growth, the ability to work toward good-faith compromises and the willingness to do so openly and transparently.

In the races to replace two council members who must leave because of term limits — Republican Gary Nelson in District 3 and Democrat Kirke Sievers in District 2 — we believe the candidates who best meet those criteria are Republican Renee Radcliff Sinclair and Democrat Brian Sullivan, respectively.

District 3: Sinclair and Democrat Mike Cooper are facing off in a contest between two respected former state legislators to represent the district, which includes Edmonds, Lynnwood and Woodway. Both have a firm grasp of growth issues, and both recently served on the county’s elected Charter Review Commission.

Sinclair is a moderate Republican known for her open-mindedness and ability to work constructively across the political aisle. Currently a county planning commissioner, she is well-versed in land-use issues, and understands that public safety and transportation — including roads and transit solutions — are two of the most important challenges that come along with growth.

An example of her ability to think creatively surfaced when she was asked about how to deal with daily gridlock on 164th Street in the Martha Lake area. Since more lanes aren’t a viable option, she said, why not explore the use of reversible lanes during heavy commuting hours? The center turn lanes would have to be closed during rush hour, but it’s already next to impossible to turn left on 164th during the commute, anyway. We don’t know whether the idea would work, but it represents the kind of fresh approach the county needs.

Cooper is a capable candidate who could serve well if elected. He’s been more partisan than Sinclair in the past, but his skillful, even-handed chairmanship of the Charter Review Commission suggests he may have moderated somewhat. The former firefighter would bring a credible public-safety voice to the council; he advocates benchmarking sheriff’s office staffing to national standards and coming up with a long-range plan to reach that level. Sinclair says the sheriff’s office should also focus on retaining deputies by doing more to help them reach their career goals.

District 2: Sullivan’s government experience at the local, county and state level, along with a well-earned reputation for working in a nonpartisan fashion, make him an easy choice in this race. His opponent, however, former Bainbridge Island Police Chief William Cooper, is a bright and thoughtful candidate who we think could have a political future.

Sullivan’s experience is broad and pertinent: mayor of Mukilteo for eight years, a state representative for five (he currently chairs the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee), and coordinator of Snohomish County Tomorrow, where county and city leaders hash out growth issues. The affable Sullivan is well-liked by leaders of both parties in Olympia, and has a strong reputation for listening and operating in the open. He’d be a constructive force on the council, and perhaps an effective bridge builder between the council and the executive’s office.

William Cooper is a heavy underdog in the decidedly Democratic District that includes Everett and Mukilteo, but he gets points for more than doing a good deed for his party by running. He’s intelligent and forward thinking, especially on public safety issues. He believes that if the sheriff’s office isn’t as effective as it could be, it has more to do with what it’s doing than its level of resources. By finding more efficient ways to deal with non-emergency calls, and placing a keener emphasis on the right goals and objectives, Cooper says the sheriff’s office could become more effective without more money.

Perhaps in four years, he’d make a strong candidate for sheriff.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Friday, Feb. 7

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Curtains act as doors for a handful of classrooms at Glenwood Elementary on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Schools’ building needs point to election reform

Construction funding requests in Arlington and Lake Stevens show need for a change to bond elections.

Schwab: Trump proves not as bad as feared; it’s worse

Taking food and medicine from kids; surrendering control to Musk; is this what you voted for?

Keep necessary homeless service program at its Everett location

Regarding The Herald’s front-page coverage of the Hope ‘N Wellness community services… Continue reading

We can’t afford the rich not paying their fair share

In a recent column, Todd Welch claims that a wealth tax on… Continue reading

Can we find a politically moderate path, please?

I was just wondering what happened to the moderates. I am a… Continue reading

FILE- In this Nov. 14, 2017, file photo Jaìme Ceja operates a forklift while loading boxes of Red Delicious apples on to a trailer during his shift in an orchard in Tieton, Wash. Cherry and apple growers in Washington state are worried their exports to China will be hurt by a trade war that escalated on Monday when that country raised import duties on a $3 billion list of products. (Shawn Gust/Yakima Herald-Republic via AP, File)
Editorial: Trade war would harm state’s consumers, jobs

Trump’s threat of tariffs to win non-trade concessions complicates talks, says a state trade advocate.

A press operator grabs a Herald newspaper to check over as the papers roll off the press in March 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald file photo)
Editorial: Push back news desert with journalism support

A bill in the state Senate would tax big tech to support a hiring fund for local news outlets.

Jayden Hill, 15, an incoming sophomore at Monroe High School is reflected in the screen of a cellphone on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Students need limits on cellphones in school

School districts needn’t wait for legislation to start work on policies to limit phones in class.

Kristof: World’s richest men take on world’s poorest people

Trump says the USAID is run by ‘radical lunitics.’ Is saving countless lives now lunacy.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, Feb. 6

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Lake Stevens school bond funds needed safety work at all schools

A parent’s greatest fear is for something bad to happen to their… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.