Edmonds’ City Council welcomes two new members Jan. 8 as it opens 2008.
Together, small business owner DJ Wilson and attorney Steve Bernheim say they are looking forward to their first-ever elected offices.
Wilson is replacing Mauri Moore, who gave up her seat to make a run for mayor. Bernheim beat incumbent Richard Marin in November.
“I am really excited to get going. I have never done anything like this before,” Bernheim said Dec. 31. “But the first thing I want to learn how to do is work with the other council people and find out what the procedures are to get things done.”
Both Bernheim and Wilson say getting along with other council members will be an important part of starting their elected offices.
But, they both have plans, too.
Wilson wants to focus on things that can be accomplished, he said. He looks to Lake Ballinger — with its water quality and water quantity issues — as something that can be tackled head-on.
Since the November election, Wilson has met with Bernheim, city staff and the office of Rep. Jay Inslee to discuss Lake Ballinger.
“This is one of those things that you can actually get something done within a calendar year,” Wilson said Dec. 31. “The staff has already done most of the heavy lifting. But they just need the help on the elected side.”
Bernheim wants to push for energy issues and modern building regulations, both of which he has worked with as a citizen.
In particular, Bernheim has helped lead the city’s effort to install a downtown plug-in station for electric cars.
The plug-in station, which the city says will cost $5,000, continues to be a priority, he said.
“I do not want other cities and towns in Washington to get ahead of Edmonds on the transportation and technology future,” Bernheim said, noting that the city of Lacey, Wash., has already installed an electric plug-in. “I think Edmonds still has a chance to be one of the big leaders in Washington.”
Bernheim also said he hopes his legal expertise will help the city’s spotty land-use record. The city lost two land use cases in 2007, and settled another one – a $30,000 settlement with Bob Gregg relating to design regulations at Old Milltown.
“One of my campaign messages was that I’m aware of at least two land-use lawsuits that the city has lost, and another that they settled in order to avoid losing, and I’d like to bring expertise to those questions,” he said.
More than anything, the two new council members look forward to starting.
They want to help Edmonds, they said. And they believe it’s possible.
“There is room (to get stuff done) if you just put your head down and work,” Wilson said.
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