Shoreline City Council, Position 5

Cindy Ryu

Age: 51

Residence: Shoreline

Marital/family status: Married for 26 years

Education: Bachelor of Science with Honors – Microbiology, UW 1980; Master of Business Administration – Operations Management, UW 1983

Occupation: Mayor

Question 1: How will you address ethics, accountability and transparency in city government?

I was raised to honor my elders, culture and faith along with strong work ethics and personal responsibility. My husband Cody and I were successful Allstate Insurance agents entrusted with managing more than 3,000 local families’ personal and business risks for over 20 years. Serving as Councilmember and Mayor, I applied these proven values in the context of public service. I championed for transparency in our city government and opened up our public decision making processes. I advocated for and continually defend increased public comment and input opportunities and requiring documentation of neighborhood meetings in Master Development Planning processes.

Question 2: How do you envision managing the city’s budget deficit without putting the financial burden on your constituents?

Just as we keep our personal finances in order, we protect our neighborhoods by keeping the city’s finances in order. We keep our tax burden low by keeping a firm hand on our budget. We must continue to cut unnecessary spending, reassess budget priorities and identify opportunities for efficiencies to deliver essential services without taxing us out of Shoreline. The city must do more with less, just like families all across Shoreline are doing. Expanding our commercial tax base, by attracting new small businesses in Shoreline and encouraging current local businesses to thrive, we protect our neighborhoods and keep them affordable.

Question 3: How will you foster and deepen regional, city and community communications?

Shoreline is already at the table through my leadership positions on local, regional and statewide boards and committees and I have been able to deliver even more results for our city. I have been a Washingtonian for 40 years and married Cody 26 years ago in what is now Shoreline. I have been opening doors for our community through civic engagement: Shoreline students receive scholarships from Dollars for Scholars which I serve as President. Local businesses and community groups have connected through the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce which I served both as President and board member.

Question 4: How will you help the city to support developing a sound economy?

I have business education, business ownership and management experience. I will help develop a sound economy through business leadership with a plan to:

a) Brand the city: Environmentally, educationally, and economically robust and sustainable city.

b) Market the city: A great place to raise a family and to age in place. We are near everything, yet affordable.

c) Support the local businesses: Give certainty to conscientious developers, streamline permit processes to encourage commercial activity in appropriate business districts

d) Incorporate the treasures of Shoreline as elements of economic development: Museum, Art Council, schools, parks, backyard wildlife habitats, Solar Fest, etc.

Shari Tracey

Age: 45

Residence: Echo Lake Neighborhood, Shoreline

Marital/family status: Married with a blended family: three kids and a dog, Dan, 22, Sean, 22, Mackenzie, 19, and our dog, Stewart, 8

Education: North Seattle Community College and Shoreline Community College

Occupation: Special Projects &Event Manager at Davis Wright Tremaine

Question 1: How will you address ethics, accountability and transparency in city government?

The City Council belongs to the citizens of Shoreline. As a council member, I will work for you. The council’s work and decisions must be transparent so citizens understand the process, the value of their input, and how decisions are made. I suggest 2010 begin with a primer on the Open Public Meetings Act, the Public Disclosure laws, and the Appearance of Fairness doctrine. In addition to complying with Open Government laws, we must be aware of the importance of public perception. Potential conflicts must be disclosed and any action that may personally benefit a council member requires recusal.

Question 2: How do you envision managing the city’s budget deficit without putting the financial burden on your constituents?

My experience working on King County’s 2008 budget enables me to understand how to work collaboratively and effectively to balance the budget. The most important piece of work is listening to Shoreline citizens and learning what their priorities are for the city’s spending. We need to look at streamlining government, making sure it is running efficiently. We need to strengthen existing businesses and bring new business into Shoreline to reduce the pressure on our taxpayers. And we need to better utilize our great volunteers who can assist with city services such as park maintenance and neighborhood safety projects.

Question 3: How will you foster and deepen regional, city and community communications?

As former chief of staff to our King Co. Councilmember, I have fostered relationships with many of our regional and sister city leaders. I am an experienced leader and team-builder who will make sure Shoreline is represented on all important local and regional committees.

I will continue to listen to the people of Shoreline. To that end, I propose quarterly town halls specifically designed to give citizens the chance to talk to their council members informally. In addition, I will commit to monthly Saturday morning coffees in local Shoreline businesses so I can continue these conversations.

Question 4: How will you help the city to support developing a sound economy?

Shoreline needs new leadership if we are going to change our current reputation of being unfriendly to business. In order to build a sound economy, businesses need to be encouraged and supported. Delaying and obstructing progress will drive our local business owners and developers out of town. I will thoughtfully pursue an aggressive and balanced economic development plan to help bring services to Shoreline that citizens are now leaving town to find. Let’s give people who are driving through Shoreline a reason to stop and spend their money on something great!