Council races taking shape

With the deadline for candidate filing for this fall’s elections still to come today, Friday, at 5 p.m., some Edmonds City Council races are becoming clearer.

As of The Enterprise deadline, Strom Peterson, a leader within the downtown Edmonds business community, has declared his intention to run for Position 1 on the Edmonds City Council.

Peterson, 37, will take on incumbent Michael Plunkett, who early this year made known his intention to retain his council seat.

For Position 3, now held by Jeff Wilson, political newcomer Bart Preecs is joining Ron Wambolt, who previously declared. Although Wilson had not yet filed with the Snohomish County Auditor, he is expected to run for a second term, making the race one to watch in the September primary.

In Position 2, only incumbent Deanna Dawson had filed.

Peterson is owner of the Resident Cheesemonger and co-founder of Olives Cafe &Wine Bar. Peterson said the City Council would benefit from representation by a small-business owner such as himself.

Peterson, who has lived here for four years, has served as president of the Downtown Edmonds Merchants Association since 2004. He also is a board member of the Greater Edmonds Chamber of Commerce and a committee co-chair for the Taste of Edmonds.

Peterson said he is “committed to preserving the Edmonds’ community character and supporting the small, local businesses that make Edmonds unique in the Puget Sound.”

He said he will “work to implement a proactive, long-term vision for sustainable and managed development that takes into account historic preservation, our natural surroundings and the economic vibrancy of our downtown and waterfront.”

“Just voting against growth and development does not mean growth and development won’t happen,” Peterson says. “The City Council needs to be a leader in preserving Edmonds’ character.”

Peterson, who hails from Santa Fe, N.M., graduated from the University of New Mexico with a bachelor’s degree in English. His wife, Maria Montalvo, is a marketing consultant for the U.S. Army and a volunteer with the Edmonds Center for the Arts and the Fine Arts Center of Edmonds.

Preecs, 58, is chairman of the city’s community technology advisory committee. He said quality of life and economic development comprise his issues platform.

“I’m running for City Council to make sure Edmonds grows the right way: protecting our vibrant small business core, investing in parks and public safety, and preserving the character of our residential neighborhoods.,” he said.

“I’ll work to get the city past the current stalemate over development, balancing the need for flexible development with appropriate protections to keep Edmonds pedestrian-friendly.”

A resident of Edmonds for four years, Preecs pushed for the formation of a technology advisory committee.

“Edmonds has an opportunity to leverage its quality of life with a top-quality communications system. That combination would benefit residents and businesses, bringing both lower costs for services and higher tax revenue for the city,” he said.

A graduate of the University of Washington’s former School of Communications Preecs has worked in marketing and communications for Internet and software companies in the Seattle area since 1996. He is the business development manager for a company in Bellevue.