Edmonds’ only open City Council seat has attracted two candidates who, by their own admission, have similar stances on most issues.
Both DJ Wilson and Adrienne Fraley-Monillas have long experience with Democratic politics, both have never held political office and both think Edmonds’ council needs new blood, new faces and a new attitude.
But, where Fraley-Monillas casts herself as an opponent of increased building heights throughout town, Wilson calls himself more pragmatic.
He says the city must face its budget problems in the next four years. He called darkening budget problems the city’s biggest problem, and economic development it most important goal.
Fraley-Monillas said fixing the sidewalks, roads and traffic lights was her top priority. The budget problem is overblown, she said.
Wilson disagreed.
“We cannot fix all of our potholes unless we can get some money,” he said. “Unless we spur economic development in the city, our hands are going to be tied.”
For instance, the city needs to be open to the idea of raising building heights as part of the waterfront redevelopment proposal, Wilson said.
Fraley-Monillas is tired about the city’s constant discussion of redevelopment and building heights downtown, she said.
“I want to talk about the issues that are transparent to the voters of Edmonds,” she said.
The streets, the police and fire departments, and the neighborhood centers were examples of issues that were important to voters, she said.
Fraley-Monillas is a 30-year state employee, having worked for the Department of Health and Human Services, where she is now a program manager.
Her experience as a manager and a union activist would be valuable assets to Edmonds’ City Council, she said. Issues like affordability are not given enough attention, she said.
“I am not totally against development, but I am concerned that we are forgetting about the people who need our help most,” Fraley-Monillas said.
Wilson also said his experience as a small business owner — he owns two restaurants in Bothell — would be an asset on council.
His work to fight the Brightwater sewer treatment plant, and as a member of the city’s transportation advisory committee has prepared him for the council, he said.
“Our current council has not done a very good job of representing the citizens of Edmonds,” Wilson said. “It was time for me to put up or shut up.”
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