Opinion

Lynnwood

Smith/Boyer

Chris Boyer would be a good member of the Lynnwood City Council, but in this race, Jim Smith is the better choice.

After 20 years on the council, Smith still has a passion for the work and the cause. Perhaps even more amazing, Smith is working well with longtime nemesis Don Gough after Gough moved from the council to the mayor’s office.

Boyer has plenty of experience he could bring to bear on city government and perhaps he’ll consider another run in the future.

Dode/Wright

Two bright and committed candidates in this race, but voters should give the nod to Robin Dode over Stephanie Wright.

Dode’s experience in the schools, moving from child services advocate to leader of the Edmonds School District Foundation, shows how she can turn passion about an issue into appropriate action.

Wright is an active Democrat and although city races are nonpartisan, hopefully this isn’t the last Lynnwood voters see of her.

Mountlake Terrace

Sonmore/French

While the Mountlake Terrace City Council has been wracked by personality conflicts, Laura Sonmore isn’t the cause and deserves voters’ support over Len French.

During Sonmore’s tenure, a number of long-debated proposals are moving ahead and the city’s financial picture looks bright.

French makes the point that citizen input isn’t being heard. That could be, given the din on the council, but Sonmore isn’t the problem.

Robles/Maynard

Michelle Robles has had a tough job staying above the fray on the Mountlake Terrace City Council while still being able to get the job done. That she has been successful is a good reason for voters to choose her over Sharon Maynard.

Snohomish County

Cooper/Radcliff-Sinclair

What a terrific dilemma for voters: two well-respected former state legislators vying to fill a seat on the Snohomish County Council being vacated by another well-respected public servant.

In this case, voters should send Mike Cooper to do southwest Snohomish County’s bidding in Everett over Renee Radcliff-Sinclair.