Incumbent Martin Nelson, a retired civil engineer, and challenger Mark Smith, a former travel business owner and teacher, are running for Lynnwood City Council position 2 to bring harmony and fiscal responsibility to the city of Lynnwood. Of the two candidates, whoever attracts the most votes at the Nov. 8 general election will win the seat.
Nelson, 70, who is seeking his second term, said he has the experience in city politics, mediation and construction business that the city needs. Nelson retired from civil engineering and moved to Lynnwood in 1997. He is a Lynnwood Citizens Patrol volunteer and Lynnwood Rotary member.
“I think I am a free thinker,” Nelson said. “For the last four years, I have acted very independently.”
When asked why he should be re-elected, Nelson pointed to the city council’s success in recent years. The city finished the Lynnwood Convention Center, the new addition at Alderwood and road improvements along 176th Street, 44th Street and Highway 99. The council formed the Neighborhood and Diversity Advisory Commission earlier this year, of which his opponent, Smith, is a commissioner.
“I have contributed substantially to the council,” Nelson said.
Challenger Smith, a 43-year-old father of two young children, said he wants to see Lynnwood remain a family-friendly city. The Lynnwood High School graduate taught English and American Studies in Japan for about 10 years and owned and operated an adventure travel company for several years.
“I bring a commitment to community,” Smith said. “I felt Lynnwood was an ideal place to grow up and I want the same for my kids.”
Smith and his wife, Miho, returned to Lynnwood last year to raise their two children, Raymond, 3, and Hannah, 5. He is taking time out from his travel business and teaching to focus on his campaign.
“We made the decision to live here,” Smith said. “We are very dedicated and committed to move the city forward so people are proud to say they live in Lynnwood.”
If re-elected, Nelson said his top concern is to continue to “build a bridge” between the city council and the mayor’s office, which he describes as a “dysfunctional relationship.” Nelson is a member of the American Arbitration Association and has mediated disagreements numerous times over the years. Part of the problem is a lack of respect among city leaders, he said.
“I think I’m the only one still welcome in the mayor’s office,” Nelson said. “So far, it has been very difficult.”
If elected, Smith said he would pursue the top priority among residents, which is aggressive drivers, especially drivers who drive through neighborhoods at high speeds.
“People have told me they fear for their lives and fear for the lives of their children. That (traffic calming) has to be a priority of the city council.”
When asked about the city budget, Nelson said the city needs to get its long-term financial plans in order. In particular, the city department heads need to present financial plans for long-term capital facility projects, he said. It has gotten better during his term, but he wants to see more improvement, Nelson said.
“We just don’t tie down the financial aspects of our long-term plans,” he said. “We are missing that piece of the puzzle. It is getting better.”
Smith said the city council has failed to balance the city budget in recent years and that has got to change. In particular, the city spent about $1 million of its reserves to balance the current budget, he said. The city council needs to consider every item and ask themselves whether it is a priority, he said.
If the city decides to invest in a capital project or new program, like creating a new recreation center or police station, the city should let voters decide, Smith said. He favors putting bonds and levies on the ballot, which require voter approval.
“I feel what we need is fiscal discipline,” Smith said. “It does mean that not everyone is going to get what they want.”
Both candidates favor the city center project and are eager to move it forward. City center is a 20-year plan to create a roughly 300-acre, dense urban center located southwest of the 196th Street exit on Interstate 5. The hope is public investments like roads, sidewalks and parks will encourage developers to build mixed-use buildings — some as tall as 30 stories — with offices, condominiums and retail shops.
The city center project has been delayed by about six months because the city does not have a financial plan, Nelson said. He said the city needs to dedicate about $575,000 seed money for an overall design plan, which would answer questions like where will roads, parks and other public infrastructure be located so developers know where the private developments can go. To pay for it, Nelson favors raising the real estate excise tax (known as REET) by one quarter of one percent and earmarking the funds for the seed money.
To guide the city’s efforts, Nelson said he wants to form an advisory group of city employees, property owners, developers and other stakeholders.
“We all recognize the city center is our vision for the future and we need to move it forward,” Nelson said.
Smith said it is vitally important that the city center be built for Lynnwood residents. He said he favors working cooperatively with stakeholders, including property owners and developers, to move the city center project forward. Smith said he wants to help developers locate anchor tenant businesses, who can sign long-term leases in advance and reduce the financial risk.
But, for Smith, city center is just part of a bigger challenge. He is concerned about how the city manages existing and future growth while maintaining a high quality of life. The city needs to address traffic problems and protect single family neighborhoods, he said. The city council must stop rezoning single family neighborhoods into multiple family neighborhoods, Smith said.
“Those (single family) neighborhoods are the heart of our city,” Smith said.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
