Gary Haakenson will ask voters for a third term as mayor of Edmonds.

Haakenson made his re-election announcement as part of a city staff meeting, Monday, March 12, according to a press release. The decision “was the result of months of discussions with family and supporters,” said Haakenson, a retired clothing retailer.

Haakenson said his business experience has been an asset as mayor.

“Despite the fiscal restraints faced by local government everywhere in Washington, we have moved forward with our budgeting process and have kept the city in award-winning shape financially,” he said. “Our businesslike approach has paid dividends over the last two terms.”

Haakenson said he’s looking forward to two projects that could be key to the city.

“I’m very excited about the waterfront redevelopment opportunity that is being spearheaded by the Port of Edmonds and several adjacent property owners,” he said. “This … is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to create a vibrant linkage between downtown Edmonds and the waterfront.”

Haakenson also cited the proposed redevelopment of Highway 99 as important. “It gives Edmonds an even more promising future,” he said. “I look forward to being a part of it.”

Haakenson said that with tax revenue getting tighter, the two projects are critical to the whole city.

“We have been slowly exhausting any additional revenue sources we have over the past eight years,” he said. Finances will be a key item of the council’s upcoming retreat. “Everything the council does has some financial implication.

“We’ll talk about the importance of the upcoming (emergency medical services) levy. It’s not just revenue, there’s labor negotiations coming, (the council) holds the purse strings and we some guidelines.”

Haakenson said the waterfront and Highway 99 projects could add revenue from sales tax and taxes from any construction and additional employment.

“People need to understand the importance of these two projects,” he said. “(The waterfront) is the closest I’ve seen something coming to fruition on that property in eight years.”

Haakenson said he also enjoys meeting and listening to residents.

“During my time as mayor, it has been my number one goal to be accessible to the residents …” he said. “In 2006, I began what is now called the ‘Mayor’s Neighborhood Tour,’ during which I spent several nights visiting with folks in their neighborhoods.

“My monthly newspaper columns and the city’s new ‘Update on Edmonds’ quarterly newsletter have been very well received.

“… I look forward to serving the citizens of Edmonds for four more years.”

Haakenson said he hasn’t heard of any opponents. “There are bound to be some people and I’m going on the assumption there will be,” he said.

As for a war chest, Haakenson said he figures it will take about $25,000 to run the campaign. “I still have about $10,000 sitting there from last time so I’ll probably spend $35,000,” he said.

His campaign committee is small.

“I don’t have anybody who runs it, no big group for advice,” he said. “I don’t like to be beholden to anyone so I pretty much make the calls myself.”