LFP candidates versed for upcoming primary

Three residents are ready for the showdown in Lake Forest Park for City Council Position 7 and are headed to the primary election.

Political newcomers Donovan Tracy, Marjorie Ando and Nigel Keiffer are vying for the seat, vacated by Council member Nate Herzog.

The three names will appear on the Sept. 20 primary election ballot. The top two vote-getters will advance to November’s general election.

Marjorie Ando

Ando is an eight-year resident and retired teacher. She settled in Lake Forest Park after living in Japan and Germany. She describes herself as practical, professional and pragmatic.

“I have lived all over the world and have a different perspective than anyone,” Ando said. “I have seen what has gone on with other countries.”

Ando favors growth in compliance with the Growth Management Act, but says that growth must be managed. Critical areas and natural resources must be maintained while planning for measured development, she said.

“We need to be proactive in growth,” Ando said. “Change happens with or without our activity and I want to have our hands on that.”

Ando supports the Towne Centre studies, saying a revitalized shopping area can increase revenue for the city, as residents can be encouraged to spend locally.

“(Potential) owners are excited that we’ve gone ahead and gotten some ideas,” Ando said. “Nothing is in stone as far as the plans are concerned.”

Regarding regional features, Ando says the Burke Gilman Trail segment that runs through Lake Forest Park needs to be safe for all users. An educational program may help remedy problems between users, she said. Ando also has been “stewing over” the possibility that Highway 522 may expand through Lake Forest Park, and said she is unsure how to solve the problem. She said subways could be a solution to some transportation issues.

“What is the answer; I wish I knew,” Ando said. “Transportation is a big problem in the whole area and will remain so.”

Ando says some issues in the city are “glacial” and do not move forward, and as a proactive person, she wants to become involved in making things happen.

“The Council that we have now does not always work well together,” Ando said. “I hope I can be part of that to put forth ideas, creativity and make some differences.”

Nigel Keiffer

Keiffer, 60, has run for City Council in the past. He has 30 years of experience in government after working in the engineering field, and he has also been involved in real estate and property management.

He favors growth and development, saying city policies have not been favorable to growth. He is concerned that the city has too much control over private property, and says environmental concerns should not dictate development.

“I am not against the environment,” Keiffer said, “but against what would be illogical, unreasonable limitations on development in the city.”

Regarding Towne Centre revitalization, Nigel said having dialogue on the subject is fine, but limitations should not be created for future owners of the site. He does not favor the studies conducted on the site. He said once an owner is found, the Council must focus on attracting revenue-generating businesses.

“Let’s just sit back and listen,” Keiffer said. “We are spending $100,000 doing the work for them.”

The city budget is in bad shape, Keiffer said. He does not approve of the acquisition of Lake City Sewer District for $4 million and says the city cannot stop accumulating “non-voter approved” debt.

“We are getting deeper in the red,” Keiffer said. “There have been some serious mistakes at city hall.”

Regarding regional issues, Keiffer said other funding sources other than county funding should be obtained for redevelopment of the Burke Gilman Trail. To handle Highway 522 expansion, Keiffer says city engineers should be consulted and professionals need to be utilized when discussing options.

Keiffer said he is ready for the position and does not need a training period.

“For 10 years I have been studying the city and running for office,” Keiffer said.

Donovan Tracy

Tracy, 58, is a 30-year resident who hopes to strengthen the community’s identity. He is a financial consultant with a history in urban planning.

Tracy says Lake Forest Park is largely a built-out community and therefore there is little opportunity for much growth and development. However, he said some “tweaking” is possible, such as with slightly higher densities and cluster housing. He sees opportunity in negotiating mitigation.

“There may be some interesting opportunities,” Tracy said. “We must be more savvy in negotiating environmental mitigation from impacts from regional projects.”

Tracy commends the Towne Centre task force work, but says until an owner is secured, the future of the site should not be determined.

“There are prospective owners out right now doing a market analysis to see if it can work,” Tracy said. “If not, they won’t touch it.”

Towne Centre is a considerable opportunity for the city, Tracy said. He described it as an “economic engine,” and would like to see office space offered at the site for home businesses.

“I’m not sure we couldn’t attract small business to Towne Centre,” Tracy said. “Job creation needs to be a bigger component.”

The Burke Gilman Trail needs to be available to all users, Tracy said, and he wants to restore stability to the trail. He does not agree with county officials who consider the trail a regional facility and want to apply national standards.

“The council is right in questioning the county as to why it should be regional,” Tracy said.

Tracy would like to see the Lake Forest Park segment of the trail marked, so people using the trail know when they are entering and leaving the area.

Tracy said the city is in good shape budget-wise, but adding new expenditures to the budget need to be monitored.

Regarding Highway 522 expansion, Tracy said city officials need to be more savvy in dealing with environmental mitigation.

“We can have impacts in a conveyance corridor and can mitigate it elsewhere,” Tracy said. “We can take mitigation off site and may make an improvement to a stream corridor.”