Showing posts with label candidate forum. Show all posts
Showing posts with label candidate forum. Show all posts

Candidate Forum: 46th District Position 2 candidates introduce themselves

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

(Editor’s note: This is the first installment in a series of responses to questions we’re sending to candidates running in the Aug. 4 primary election. We’ll follow this with introductory questions for candidates for 46th District State Representative Position 1 and for the two state representative positions in the 32nd Legislative District; then we’ll have issue questions for all of candidates, with future questions coming from readers. Send questions to schsmith@frontier.com)


By Evan Smith

Democratic 46th District incumbent State Rep. Javier Valdez will face Republican Beth Daranciang in the Aug. 4 primary and Nov. 3 general election. With only two candidates running in the primary, both Valdez and Daranciang will qualify for November from the top-two primary.

The 46th District includes Lake Forest Park, Kenmore and northeast Seattle.

Both Valdez and Daranciang recently introduced themselves with answers to this question: “What is your background for this position?” Here are their 75-word responses, presented in the order their names will appear on the primary ballot and in the voters’ pamphlet.

Legislative District 46, State Representative Pos. 2

                                     What is your background for this position?


Javier Valdez (Prefers Democratic Party)

I currently serve as a 46th State Representative and have worked for the City of Seattle for over twenty years, where I've led programs to expand opportunities for women and minority-owned businesses.

As the son and grandson of farmworkers and laborers, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Master’s degree in Public Administration. I have served on the board of the Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the first president of AFSCME 21C.


Beth Daranciang (Prefers Republican Party)

Background: Master’s degree in public health and bachelor’s degree in biology. Professional experience includes research coordinator at the UW, Program manager at Public Health – Seattle and King County, and my husband and I are small-business owners in Seattle. Served as volunteer treasurer for the PTSA and parent group at 2 Seattle high schools

Advocate for the protection of children, including serving on the volunteer leadership team that successfully gathered over 266,000 signatures for Referendum 90.

Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com.




Read more...

Evan Smith on politics: Questions arriving for legislative candidates

Saturday, June 13, 2020

Evan Smith
Politics reporter

By Evan Smith

Questions are arriving for me to ask legislative candidates in the SAN’s “substitute forum.”

With no candidate forums in community centers and church basements between now and the Aug. 4 primary, we’ll run a substitute primary-election forum here.

We need more questions for the candidates from voters in the 32nd Legislative District (Shoreline) and the 46th District (Lake Forest Park).

I’ve already sent some general questions to each of the six candidates running for two state representative positions in the 32nd District and the four running for two spots in the 46th District.

Now, I’ll start sending your questions to the candidates. I’ll post their responses between now and the election,

If this were a traditional candidate forum, we’d hand out pencils and index cards for your questions. Here, we’ll just wait for your emails.

Send your questions to me at schsmith@frontier.com. Include your name and whether you live in the 32nd Legislative District (Shoreline) or the 46th District (Lake Forest Park, Kenmore).

The candidates:
  • Legislative District 32, State Representative Pos. 1-- 
  • Legislative District 32, State Representative Pos. 2--
  • Legislative District 46, State Representative Pos. 1-- 
  • Legislative District 46, State Representative Pos. 2-- 

Read more...

Ask questions of legislative candidates at the SAN’s substitute forum

Friday, June 12, 2020

Evan Smith
Politics reporter

By Evan Smith

With no candidate forums in community centers and church basements between now and the Aug. 4 primary, we’ll run a substitute primary-election forum here.

We’ll provide you with a chance to ask questions of the legislative candidates seeking your votes in the 32nd and 46th districts.

I’ve already sent a couple of general questions to each of the six candidates running for two state representative positions in the 32nd Legislative District and the four running for two spots in the 46th district.

Now, I want your help. 

Send me a question to ask when I contact candidates next week. I’ll play the role of forum moderator, selecting and editing questions and combining them where possible.
 
I’ll present your questions to these candidates:

  • Legislative District 32, State Representative Pos. 1-- Shirley Sutton (Prefers Democratic Party), Keith Smith (Prefers Democratic Party), Cindy Ryu (Prefers Democratic Party);
  • Legislative District 32, State Representative Pos. 2-- Gray Petersen (Prefers Democratic Party), Tamra Smilanich (Prefers Non Partisan Party), Lauren Davis (Prefers Democratic Party);
  • Legislative District 46, State Representative Pos. 1-- Gerry Pollet (Prefers Democratic Party), Eric J. Brown (Prefers Republican Party);
  • Legislative District 46, State Representative Pos. 2-- Javier Valdez (Prefers Democratic Party), Beth Daranciang (Prefers Republican Party).

If this were a traditional candidate forum, we’d hand out pencils and index cards for your questions. Here, we’ll just wait for your emails.

Send your questions to me at schsmith@frontier.com. Include your name and whether you live in the 32nd Legislative District (Shoreline) or the 46th District (Lake Forest Park, Kenmore).

Unlike the traditional forums, we won’t serve refreshments. You’ll have to supply your own coffee and cookies.



Read more...

Candidate forum sponsored by 46th District Democrats on Zoom Wednesday

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Wednesday, May 13, Candidates Forum 
5:30 pm (please note time!!)
Sponsored by 46th District Democrats

This Wednesday's event kicks off with Hilary Franz, Commissioner of Public Lands.

We will then move into the Candidates Forum where we have invited the three declared candidates running for Lieutenant Governor (US Representative Denny Heck, and State Senators, Steve Hobbs and Marko Liias).

After that we will hear from candidates who wish to speak to us for the other statewide offices, judicial candidates, and state legislative candidates.

Great opportunity to meet and hear from the candidates.

The Zoom link for 5-13-2020 is below:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/948880220

Meeting ID: 948 880 220



Read more...

Youth led candidate forum for Shoreline School Board Tuesday

Friday, October 18, 2019


A youth-led candidate forum for Shoreline School Board candidates will be held on Tuesday, October 22, 2019, 6pm at Ronald United Methodist Church, 17839 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline 98133

Although student questions will be prioritized, all communities (parents, teachers, students, community members, etc) are encourage to attend.

This is a candidate form that will have Rebeca Rivera, Sara Betnel, Joe Cunningham, and Meghan Jernigan present. Unfortunately, Mike Jacobs will not be there as he is out of town. 

It will be moderated by Shorewood student Nara Kim.

Candidates will have the opportunity to table and showcase their campaign materials and talk with students and community members before and after the forum.

Prior to the forum, color-coded (student/not student) notecards will be passed out for audience members to write questions on. Student questions will be prioritized. Candidates will each have 2-minute opening and closing statements. There will be approximately an hour of questions and answers.

All students from Shoreline School District are invited along with parents, teachers, and community members. This event is first and foremost student-centered. It is organized by students, for students.




Read more...

Notes from LFP City Council candidate forum

Candidates on the stage, from left Lorri Bodi (standing), Catherine Stanford,
Phillippa Kassover, Tom French, Tracy Furutani. At the podium is LWV
moderator Amanda Clark
Photo by Mike Remarcke


On Tuesday, October 15, 2019 Third Place Commons held a forum with candidates for Mayor and City Council. Around 110 people came to hear what they had to say. The moderator, Amanda Clark, and timekeeper were from the Mercer Island League of Women Voters.

City of Lake Forest Park, Mayor
Jeff Johnson - incumbent, unopposed
City of Lake Forest Park, Council Position 2
Catherine Stanford - incumbent
Lorri Bodi - challenger
City of Lake Forest Park, Council Position 4
Phillippa Kassover - incumbent
Brett Newsham - no show
City of Lake Forest Park, Council Position 6
Tom French - incumbent
Tracy Furutani - challenger

Mayor Johnson is running unopposed, so he gave a report and left the stage to the council candidates. Brett Newsham, who filed against Phillippa Kassover, was a no-show.

Mayor Johnson said that when he won a tough election for Mayor eight years ago, he thought he knew everything. The reality is very different and he appreciates the opportunity to spend four more years in the office. The city is doing well. This is an important election. This council will be dealing with big issues, including decisions for mall and parking garage.

Attendees browsed the tables of information before the forum.
Photo by Mike Remarcke


Position #2

Catherine Stanford appreciates that LFP is different. She said that we have the challenge of being a small city in the middle of the fastest growing area in the county and we need to accept the challenge. Her strengths are her experience with council and community and relationships outside of the city.

Lorri Bodi said it's time for a change. We need a new voice on the council. She was an environmental attorney for NOAA. She has worked with the PTA, and in her job negotiated with state and local agencies and tribes on water and stormwater issues. She can manage budgets and negotiate. She said that the city process has been complicated and hard to follow.

Position #4

Phillippa Kassover talked about finding LFP over 12 years ago and how happy she is with a community full of smart, engaged people. As a councilmember she reads, researches and asks the tough questions. She said that council needs to do better to help people learn what we do.

Position #6

Tom French has lived in LFP for 50 years. He went to Brookside, Kellogg, and Shorecrest. He said that growth needs to be in line with our values. He would accept 150-200 apartments at Town Center. He strongly supported the September moratorium. His priority is public safety for pedestrians and bicyclists and he advocated for the first new sidewalk in LFP. He is a champion for the environment and the values of LFP.

Tracy Furutani filed in part because feels that races should be opposed. He is most concerned about the climate crisis and thinks solutions should start at the municipal level, that they will percolate up to state and federal levels. How can we preserve what we have for our kids in the future?

Question: In the redevelopment of Town Center how would you protect Third Place Commons (TPC)?

Tom: we need to talk to Merlone Geier Partners (MGP). If that doesn't work, the community needs to step up.

Tracy: we don't want to alienate MGP - they could just walk away. The city buying the land is the only way to have what we want. Otherwise we have to negotiate carefully.

Phillippa: we have a partnership with MGP and need to work together to preserve TPC.

Catherine: I will fight to keep The Commons and the farmers market in LFP. She was instrumental in getting the market started.

Lorri: The Commons keeps our community unique. MGP should be our first effort. The agreement says that MGP has to provide 10,000 ft of indoor and 10,000 ft of outdoor space.

From left: Lorri Bodi, Phillippa Kassover, Tom French,
Tracy Furutani. Out of frame, Catherine Stanford.
Photo by Mike Remarcke


Question: PSRC recently reclassified LFP as a Small to High Capacity Transit City. Do you support this reclassification?

Lorri: We are doing a good job of meeting the GMA (Growth Management Act) objectives for 2035. There are opportunities to do more over time so we can grow in balance and in scale with our values.

Catherine: She doesn't support LFP being a high capacity city. LFP was put in that category because of the Bus Rapid Transit. She's on the PSRC Executive Board and will tell them what we will tolerate.

Phillippa: We are the culmination of two watersheds and sitting on an aquifer. We are the last remaining urban forest in the area. These sensitive areas can't tolerate much more growth.

Tracy: No. He said he's horrified that we were put in that category.

Tom: He agrees with all of Vision 2050 from PSRC. Bothell Way has capacity for growth.

Question: What are your plans for keeping small businesses in the area, particularly Town Center?

Phillippa: MGP is the landlord. We don't control what goes on here. We need to build a good relationship and partner with MGP to encourage them to bring in the businesses we want.

Catherine: We need to keep the small businesses and encourage more. Council discusses it a lot. Small businesses have challenges and struggle.

Lorri: Town Center is the community hub and so much more. The City needs to make its expectations very clear and not be a pushover when it comes to our values.

Tom: We need to work with MGP and as a community to incentivize the small businesses. We created zoning to allow specific businesses in a special area, which creates walkability.

Tracy: Businesses need to pay for licensing and B/O taxes. We need to look into the city regulations and make them less onerous.

Question: The environmental impact statement was flawed and driven by development interest. Comment.

Tom: the DEIS (Draft Environmental Impact Statement) needs to be reflective of our values. It's critical to adhere to the vision statement. We need more conversations with the public.

Tracy: The council needs to communicate what's going on with the process.

Phillippa: For the DEIS the developer asked the consultant for studies of 1500, 1000, and 700 new apartments. There was no other input so that's what they studied.

Catherine: The DEIS was a shock to everyone. We don't have to listen to the consultant. The Planning Commission makes recommendations and the council decides.

Lorri: The DEIS process was seriously flawed. There should have been some direction from mayor and council and a wider range of options studied. The "no change" option was for 700 units.

110 people attended the forum
Photo by Mike Remarcke


Question: Would you support a parks bond to improve parks and acquire more land?

Catherine: I would support one if other groups would partner, as was done with 5 Acre Woods.

Lorri: We are Lake Forest Park with no access to the lake and few parks. She wants to expand and improve parks but would explore other options before going to a bond issue.

Phillippa: We are underserved for families and it's a tragedy that we have no lake access. A bond is premature. We need to study and seek outside funding.

Tom: we opened a fund for open space and trails. A bond issue is on the table but we don't want to shortchange public safety and other priorities.

Tracy: Bonds are expensive and have to be paid back. More parks would require staff to maintain them. Can't rely on volunteers only. We have to make sure we can maintain what we acquire.

Question: You want a walkable city but our streets are unwalkable and very dangerous. Would you put in sidewalks?

Tracy: Sidewalks are needed but we have to prioritize. Need to find outside money. And would we take people's property?

Tom: Need to separate traffic from where people walk. As the region grows there will be more traffic and people need to be safe.

Phillippa: the Safe Streets study was very revealing. Safe routes to school need to be the highest priority. We need to set our priorities and work on a long term funding plan.

Lorri: When the transit stations open we will have people driving through LFP to get there. We need to find funding sources and do what we can, like lower the speed limits.

Catherine: The council included Safe Streets as one of the Big 5 projects. There's a list of priorities but these are expensive issues. Safe routes to school is the first priority.

Question: What would you do to improve communication with citizens?

Incumbent councilmembers pointed out that they cannot speak for the council until a vote is taken, only for themselves. The City Administration is different and council doesn't control it. The city has no communication department - they were let go in the downturn and have not been replaced. They need to have a communications strategy and staff it. Perhaps hold quarterly town meetings.

Challengers mentioned Seattle's Office of Neighborhoods, office hours for councilmembers, meetings with neighbors and community.

Question: What does our city do to meet the climate challenge?

Phillippa: The city joined the C4C - Caring for Climate organization which helps municipal leaders take steps on climate action. We need to look at the city's carbon footprint, take steps to reduce it, then reach out to everyone to do the same.

Tracy: The C4C has assessable, measurable goals. We can create ordinances about zoning, better building practices, and reducing our carbon footprint.

Tom: Our tree canopy has actually increased a bit in in the last few years. We need to work as a community to reduce our footprint.

Lorri: We can use examples from other cities - change building codes, use alternate energy like solar cells.

Catherine: We have tree ordinances that protect our canopy. Trees pull carbon out of the air. Automobiles create the most carbon and Sound Transit and public transit will get people out of their cars. We have set backs from our streams.

Ballots have been mailed out and are due back by November 5. There is a drop box for ballots by City Hall and no postage is required to mail in ballots.




Read more...

Candidate forum in Lake Forest Park Tuesday

Monday, October 14, 2019



Hear from Lake Forest Park City Council candidates at the Third Place Commons Candidate Forum on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at 7pm.

The forum will be moderated by a representative from an outside chapter of the nonpartisan League of Women Voters. The forum will follow their standardized format allowing for each candidate to answer each question in timed responses.

Questions will be asked by the moderator and include both questions prepared by the moderator in advance, based on current issues facing the community, and those solicited in writing from the audience at the event.

All candidates for the City Council have been invited, as well as Mayor Jeff Johnson who is running unopposed.

This important community event is hosted by the Board of Directors of Third Place Commons and takes place on the Commons stage at the Town Center at Lake Forest Park, located at 17171 Bothell Way NE.

Third Place Commons is a community-supported, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering and enriching real community in real space through partnership, public events, and the Lake Forest Park Farmers Market. Third Place Commons hosts hundreds of events each year and every event at the Commons is always free. More info at ThirdPlaceCommons.org.


Read more...

RBCA candidate forum - Part 2 - City Council and Ronald Commissioners

Saturday, October 12, 2019



By Diane Hettrick
Photos by Bob Pfeiffer

Part 1 of the forum notes, with Fire Commissioners and Shoreline School Board candidates, can be found here.

Note to RBCA: next time, seat the opposing candidates together.

Luis Berbesi and Keith Scully
Shoreline City Council

City of Shoreline, Council Position 6

Betsy Robertson
Luis Berbesi

Luis Berbesi seemed like he was auditioning for a stand up comedian instead of city council. He's not going to win and he doesn't care. He says he has already won because he's getting so much attention and so many people are listening to him. He is witty and he got a lot of laughs during the evening. ("What the council needs." he said, "is someone with a Venezuelan accent.") He's smart and wants to be involved. He still hasn't figured out that the city doesn't fund the school district or pay teachers or that failing the Community Center Prop 1 does not mean that the city has $81 million dollars lying around to spend on the schools.

Betsy is already on the council, having been appointed (unanimously, she pointed out) to the seat vacated when Jesse Salomon was elected to the state legislature. She does talk a lot about the importance of having geographic distribution of councilmembers and how she's the only one east of the freeway.

David Chen and Vivian Collica
City of Shoreline, Council Position 4
David Chen
Doris McConnell 

Doris is a long-term incumbent, having been on the council since 2008. She said that we need smart growth, not unbridled growth. She also said that she had been "endorsed by her opponent" which sent a ripple through the room and startled her opponent, David Chen. I asked Doris what she meant and she said "Oh gosh, I didn't finish my sentence!" She was talking about the third person in the primary, Ginny Scantlebury.

When candidates were asked about their infrastructure priorities, Doris said that people talked most about sidewalks, and proved it by voting for a ballot measure to fund new sidewalks. That Transportation Benefit District may lose funding if Tim Eyman's initiative I-976 passes. She said that the council doesn't get anything done alone, that they need to find things they can work on with the community.

David wants the city to harness the power of the light rail and use it to our advantage. He talks about creating partnerships with our local institutions - school district, community college - to reach shared goals. He's concerned about keeping working families in the city and creating access, equity, and opportunity for all. "No one should have to live on the streets." He's concerned about people living on fixed incomes and how rising housing costs will affect them. He worked in direct services for the Vision House Jacob's Well project which houses, trains, and provides support services for homeless families and was chair of their board. He's on the board of the Dale Turner Y and the charitable arm of the Sounders. He wants smaller developments with community features. Make sure that things can come in that we want that are not limited by permitting and planning design codes.

Betsy Robertson and Doris McConnell
City of Shoreline, Council Position 2
Keith Patrick Scully
Vivian Collica

Keith gave an update on Point Wells, a focus of interest in Richmond Beach. The city wants small or no development. The developer wants a huge development. There was a slight set back when the developer was given an additional six months to correct the defects in their application. They would have to build a second road out of the site. Shoreline has made peace with Woodway and the cities are working together to oppose the development. Keith vowed to fight it all the way.

Vivian says that Shoreline is not a walkable city. It's not a destination city. Developers get a 12 year tax break but our taxes go up. Businesses are struggling but there's only one person in the Economic Development office. At events, we bring in food trucks that compete with our own businesses. We lose sales tax because developers are not forced to put businesses in their new buildings. The pool doesn't create revenue.

In response to a question on what they would do to solve homelessness, Vivian said to give the same tax breaks to homeowners as developers, so the homeowner can rent out rooms in their home to people who need housing. She said that it can be solved on a local level. Keith pointed to the 198th project and the partnerships which will provide 100 units to people who are homeless or in danger of being homeless as well as services.

City infrastructure - Keith said that sidewalks were a high priority and the city got it done. The 145th and 185th corridors are in process. They are not going to ask for more taxes and are going to let these major projects play out before planning more. Vivian said that we lost the post office and let an apartment building go in. Keith said that the post office is a great idea but we can't build one - the post office has to do that.

Laura Mork and Gretchen Atkinson
Ronald Wastewater District, Commissioner Position 2
Gretchen Atkinson

Ronald Wastewater District, Commissioner Position 3
Laura Mork

Ronald Wastewater District, Commissioner Position 4
Craig Degginger

All three commissioners are running unopposed. 

Laura Mork introduced herself as an engineer and infrastructure geek. She served on the city's sidewalk committee.

Gretchen said that she is a long-time volunteer in Shoreline - PTA, neighborhood association, council of neighborhoods, chamber of commerce. She has been on the Ronald board for six years, four as president.

Craig Degginger was not present.

The city is in the process of absorbing Ronald but the board still sets policy and owns the assets of Ronald, including that in Point Wells.

Board president Gretchen Atkinson said that the planned city assumption on March 1st is off the table for now because Ronald is involved in the Point Wells lawsuit, which has been going on for five years. Olympic View Water and Sewer District in Edmonds has lost five lawsuits but won in appellate court. The case is now going to the state supreme court.

She said that work will continue with the city on the assumption. Ronald is still planning for future development and expansion of the infrastructure.

Sound Transit will be moving two wastewater pipes on 145th and 30 inch pipes on 185th by the station.



Read more...

Chamber of Commerce candidates forum Thursday is open to all

Wednesday, October 9, 2019


The Shoreline Chamber of Commerce
Presents

The 2019 Candidates Forum
for the
City of Shoreline Council

A business themed forum with candidates questions focused on the concerns of the Shoreline Chamber Members and Local Shoreline Businesses.

Candidates Forum 
City of Shoreline Council Chambers

17500 Midvale Ave N,
Shoreline, WA 98133

Thursday, October 10th
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. 

This is a great opportunity for Shoreline businesses to meet the candidates of the upcoming council race in November and to hear their vision for the future of Shoreline’s thriving business community.

(Please submit question ideas in advance to any of the Shoreline Chamber Board of Directors or e-mail Dr. Tim C. Norton at: drnorton@healthchiropractic.com)



Read more...

RB's Must-Attend Event: Candidates Forum, Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at 7pm

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

RB's Must-Attend Event: Candidates Forum, Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at 7pm

A robust slate of office seekers vying for three Shoreline City Council seats, three spots on the Shoreline School Board, plus positions at Ronald Wastewater and the Shoreline Fire Department will form the Tuesday, October 8 RBCA Candidates Forum.

Current Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson once quipped that the road to public office runs through Richmond Beach, and three decades of annual standing-room-only crowds on the second Tuesday of October prove it.

The forum is in the basement of the Richmond Beach Congregational Church, at the corner of 15th Ave NW and Richmond Beach Rd. The event starts at 7pm, half an hour earlier than regular RBCA meetings.



Read more...

Local candidates at North Seattle Progressives Sunday

Monday, October 7, 2019

Keith Scully, incumbent Shoreline councilman
in animated conversation with voter. Scully is being
challenged by Vivian Collica.
Photo by Mike Remarcke


The action group North Seattle Progressives held a candidate meet and greet on Sunday October 6, 2019 at the Shoreline Senior Center on N 185th in Shoreline.

Catherine Stanford and Lorri Bodi (left and center)
are vying for the same position on the LFP City Council
Photo by Mike Remarcke


They invited a number of local candidates they consider progressive for a chance to talk to voters one on one about their concerns, the candidates' priorities. 

Phillippa Kassover one on one with a NSP member
She is running to keep her seat on the LFP City Council
against challenger Brett Newsham
Photo by Mike Remarcke


The meet and greet was an hour long and preceded the regular meeting of the NSP. Candidates for Shoreline City Council, Lake Forest Park City Council, and Shoreline School Board attended.



Read more...

LFP City Council Candidate Forum at Third Place Commons Oct 15

Saturday, October 5, 2019


If you live in Lake Forest Park, don’t cast your ballots this fall without hearing from your City Council candidates at the Third Place Commons Candidate Forum on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at 7pm.

Don’t miss your chance to hear from the candidates who may play an integral role in the future of Lake Forest Park. Hear from each of the candidates about their positions on local issues of critical importance to you and your community.

The forum will be moderated by a representative from an outside chapter of the nonpartisan League of Women Voters. The forum will follow their standardized format allowing for each candidate to answer each question in timed responses.

Questions will be asked by the moderator and include both questions prepared by the moderator in advance, based on current issues facing the community, and those solicited in writing from the audience at the event.

All candidates for the City Council have been invited, as well as Mayor Jeff Johnson who is running unopposed.

Video recordings will not be permitted per League rules based on FCC regulations regarding unauthorized recordings of debates. Still photography is permitted providing it is not disruptive to the event or audience. All camera sounds should be turned off.

This important community event is hosted by the Board of Directors of Third Place Commons and takes place on the Commons stage at the Town Center at Lake Forest Park, located at 17171 Bothell Way NE.

Third Place Commons is a community-supported, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering and enriching real community in real space through partnership, public events, and the Lake Forest Park Farmers Market. Third Place Commons hosts hundreds of events each year and every event at the Commons is always free. More info at ThirdPlaceCommons.org.


Read more...

Reminder: MPNA and MPPTSA 2019 Candidate Forum and Meet / Greet Saturday morning

Friday, October 4, 2019

The Meridian Park Neighborhood Association and Meridian Park Elementary PTSA will present a Candidate Forum and Meet / Green from 11am-1pm on Saturday, October 5, 2019 in the Meridian Park Elementary cafeteria, 17077 Meridian Ave N, Shoreline 98133.


We encourage the Shoreline community to come and hear the current School Board and City Council candidates discuss services and issues regarding school-age youth. All are welcome and there is no cost to attend.

We will have a community potluck with candidates at 12:15pm. Please bring a dish to share



Read more...

Briarcrest - Ridgecrest forum focus on Shoreline city council candidates

The second candidate forum of the season went off without a hitch on Thursday, October 3, 2019 at the Prince of Peace Church Fellowship Hall.

Moderated by Sarah Kaye of the Briarcrest Neighborhood Association, Timekeeping by Dustin McIntyre of the Ridgecrest Neighborhood Association, it was cosponsored by Briarcrest, Ridgecrest, and the Shoreline Area News.

School Board candidates talked to people one on one from 6 -7pm. The forum ran from 7 - 8:30pm with the six candidates for Shoreline city council.

City of Shoreline, Council Position 2
Keith Patrick Scully
Vivian Collica
City of Shoreline, Council Position 4
David Chen
Doris McConnell
City of Shoreline, Council Position 6
Betsy Robertson
Luis Berbesi

Opening statements:

Doris - A 2nd and 3rd generation Japanese-American, she has been a councilmember since 2008. She stated that we need a balance of new councilmembers and those with more experience, i.e. those with more than one term on the council.

Luis - He started attending council meetings, then decided to run for the council. He's learning a lot. He said that even if he loses he wins, because now the whole council is listening to him.

Betsy - Lives in a Ridgecrest neighborhood that has block parties once a month. She was a KING TV journalist for 20 years, now works full time at the American Red Cross. She's on the board of City Club and Ridgecrest PTA. She had to give up her seat on the Parks Board to run for office.

Vivian - We give 12 year tax breaks to developers yet our cost of living and taxes rise. Where is the money going? We are not a shopping destination. Town center is not a good location for a pool. The east side of Shoreline is not well represented. We have zoning issues - 15th has zoning but three pot shops.

Keith - He loves the civil discourse in Shoreline and among the candidates. Tree protection and sidewalks are common concerns from citizens. It's the job of the council to balance concerns. Every issue has residents advocating for both sides. Council has to figure out what works. Said he would be happy to dive into the policy issues raised by his opponent.

David - He is the son of Chinese immigrants who started a business on Aurora and put their children through school. We need to develop a vision for the city based on equity that we can build on together.

What are the funding sources for your campaign?
  • All but Luis mentioned family, friends, and coworkers.
  • Luis said he hadn't asked for or spent any money.
  • Betsy - family, friends, coworkers.
  • Vivian said she does her own design work and is very frugal.
  • Keith said that he also has donations from the fire guild and police guild.
  • David said that he has donations from state and county leaders, all three 32nd district legislators, realtors, small business owners.
  • Doris said that it takes money to run a campaign. In addition to friends and family, she loaned $6000 to her own campaign.
Do you favor little houses for homeless people? What new programs would you propose? How can we keep from having street dwelling heroin addicts like Seattle?

  • Betsy does support tiny houses. A tent is not a home - you need a roof over your head. Opioid use is a major problem and people need access to services. Yet we need to patrol our parks and keep people from camping there.
  • Vivian would support tiny houses on private property or giving tax breaks to people who rent out spare bedrooms to people - instead of giving tax breaks to the developers. Opioids - we need to separate out the different problems and focus on individual needs.
  • Keith is on the fence about tiny houses - we don't need to create a shantytown. As a former paramedic and deputy prosecutor he is very aware that there are multiple issues in opioid use.
  • David said that these are our neighbors who are unhoused and experiencing problems. We need compassion. There are more people coming in to homelessness and addiction than are leaving. This is a regional problem and state conversation.
  • Doris said that proposals from council have run in to neighborhood opposition. Need resources for mental health and job issues or people will fail again. Important to hear what the community says and address their concerns. Tent cities were resisted at first and now are supported by the community.
  • Luis has a homeless friend. He wanted to sell his art on the street but Seattle required a permit that cost $250.
How would you mitigate negative impacts on rezoned homeowners

  • Vivian - Control where the growth is coming from. We are losing housing to students and groups that are here temporarily. It's not fair to long term residents. Zoning is an issue. Businesses are one story but apartments are six stories. We're changing rapidly without any control.
  • Keith - the Council has reduced the tolerable noise level to control construction noise. We are working on neighborhood parking. Tree preservation and parks mitigate some of the noise.
  • David - lives nine blocks from the station. Short term parking needs to be balanced with people who live here. We need to integrate greenery, and courtyards, and things that make it feel like a community into the building codes.
  • Doris - on the council we listen to people. She didn't support all the density around the stations. Need adequate parking for residents.
  • Luis - homeowners are being replaced by renters.
  • Betsy - neighbors are concerned about parking and 70 foot buildings next to their homes. We should collect the maximum impact fees to support parkland and traffic control. We need ground level retail and businesses. We need the things that benefit us.
Do you support Prop 1

  • Keith - Yes. If it fails it means closing the pool and not making other investments.
  • David - Yes. It's a matter of community and equity. What about our other community partners - Arts Council, Chamber of Commerce?
  • Doris - It's on the ballot for the community to decide. It's a community gathering place, a pool that is affordable.
  • Luis - No. He loves to swim but says that with all that money we could train teachers to prepare kids for the future.
  • Betsy - Yes. Space for seniors, kitchen, walking track, competitive swimming. Briarcrest will get a new park.
  • Vivian - No. Property should make money. We could have built a multi level structure.
Is the planning commission too heavy on the development side?

  • David would like to see more diversity. We need to plan for climate change because it affects everything.
  • Doris - Planning has women and an Asian. Remember that council makes the final decision.
  • Luis - Planning commission needs a Venezuelan-American with an accent.
  • Betsy - There's more concern now for development than climate. What's lacking is geographic diversity. Most members are from the west side of Shoreline.
  • Vivian - Overdevelopment is affecting the environment. We need trees to handle the rain. Opiates are going into Puget Sound and contaminating the shellfish.
  • Keith - The water is full of antidepressants. There are wonderful people on the Planning Commission but it's too focused on tech issues. Need voices that think about impacts on the community.

David Chen - comment on why you left CRISTA and other candidates affirm or deny LGBTQ rights

  • Doris - I'm pro diversity. Sad about King's but not surprised.
  • Luis - I'm Catholic - but I respect everyone. We live in a polarized society.
  • Betsy - Happy to live in this bubble of acceptance. CRISTA values don't represent our city.
  • Vivian - We're lucky to live in an area that is not discriminatory.
  • Keith - I'm baffled as to why some people are so concerned about who other people love. The City does have policies in place to protect rights. We flew the Pride flag. We need to affirm that Shoreline is open and welcoming.

David Chen - There was a change in the status quo at CRISTA. In December the board chair assured me that they were open and welcoming. When the memo came out in the spring which stated otherwise I started looking for a job. I am the sole support of a family of five. A transgender friend wrote a letter thanking me for what I did. I'm happy to be in a position to advocate.

How can the city empower neighborhoods to be part of the decision making process

  • Luis - Dog owners are unhappy about the dog park closing. I'm going to start a dog owners group and find out what happened.
  • Betsy - ShoreDog folded about four years ago but Luis could restart it. Neighborhoods already have the power - look at the changes in Prop 1 - seniors, swim teams, parks.
  • Vivian - Associations are vital and potentially powerful but I don't know if the council has been listening to them for even small things like restaurants - zoning - pot shops.
  • Keith - You can't just order people to build a restaurant. We can incentivize. The community opposed the maintenance facility in Hamlin Park and the "road diet" on 175th so both ideas were dropped. We should round table ideas instead of just giving them to staff.
  • David - I'm part of the Echo Lake Neighborhood and am building a community park. As a councilmember I will hold regular office hours and will make sure that stakeholders are involved. We need to leverage CoN activity.
  • Doris - Monthly a councilmember comes to CoN.

Closing statements

Betsy - On the parks board we did months of interviews and neighborhood meetings to create Prop 1. Support Prop 1.

Vivian - Community first. Residents above developers. Don't always tax homeowners. Prevention and cure for homelessness. Parks are a jewel but you still have to have something to eat when you get there.

Keith - Doorbelling, he is so impressed with how nice people are. They make the city a better place.

David - I ask for your vote, support, ideas, and visions. Growth is already here and we need to deal with it. We need to focus on infrastructure. Buy land for parks. Make it easy to convert single homes into businesses.

Doris - I've been in the community for 30 years - 20 years as a volunteer. I left PTA with two Golden Acorns. I have collaborative skills and ties in the community.

Luis - I want to give back. We need to invest in community and the next generation.

--Diane Hettrick

The Ridgecrest Neighborhood videotaped the forum. You can view it here.



Read more...

Shoreline council and Shoreline School board candidates meet for the first time

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

The first candidate forum of the political season brought out 100 people to the Shoreline Room at the Shoreline Center, to hear candidates for School Board and Shoreline City Council.

Around 20 left at break, after the school board candidates spoke. Presumably they were Lake Forest Park residents, whose forum will be held on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at Third Place Commons.

Moderator Karen Madsen and Timekeeper Sue Renhard from the League of Women Voters ran the forum briskly and all candidates took the time constraints with good humor. The planning was done by NUHSA and the Shoreline PTA Council.

Shoreline School Board Candidates:

District 1: Michael Jacobs vs Meghan Jernigan
District 4: Rebeca Rivera (unopposed)
District 6: Sara Betnel vs Joe Cunningham

Michael Jacobs is the only incumbent in the group, pointing out that no matter what, the majority of the new school board will have less than two years experience on the board. There are big changes ahead, which need to be managed well - including moving all the 6th graders and kindergartners.

New candidates all talked about how much they wanted to to involve families with the school board and how they wanted to have joint meetings with partners such as the two city councils.

There really wasn't much difference among them. They are all bright, well-educated, and very liberal.

They all agreed that the biggest challenge facing the district is equity - that students of color achieve at the same levels as white students. Most want gun controls and favor restrictions. Mike Jacobs agreed that guns are a problem but said it is multifaceted and requires responses such as teaching kids way to resolve conflicts, working with first responders, securing the school sites.

School finances: The legislature makes changes every year but doesn't necessarily fund them. Joe Cunningham talked about his experience working at the county and state level as an advocate. Everyone talked about working to goals and being wise with money.

Climate change: Meghan wants a district-wide composting program. Rebeca wants climate and sustainability in the curriculum. Sara said to put in solar panels.

Individual protections for LGBTQ students: all candidates talked about inclusiveness and valuing all students.

Mental health issues: all agreed that resources at the high schools are inadequate. The board has already called for a proposal from outside agencies to staff the high schools. Mike talked about the social emotional learning curriculum which is coming.

Highly Capable program (Hi-Cap) - all agreed that the program was not equitable - the kids are all white. Changes have been made to identify children of color, educate the families about the program, test kids during school hours instead of the weekend,

Art Education - all agreed it is important. Only two schools have a full-time art teacher.

Sara Betnel and Meghan Jerrigan expressed concern about Edwin Pratt opening six months late.

Meghan Jernigan said that she is an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Rebeca Rivera said that she is a Latinex and was happy to bring diversity to the board.

Shoreline City Council candidates:

Pos. 2: Vivian Collica vs Keith Scully
Pos. 4: David Chen vs Doris McConnell
Pos. 6: Betsy Robertson vs Luis Berbesi

Introductory statements:

  • Luis Berbesi is an immigrant who wants to help people be able to afford to live in Shoreline.
  • Betsy Robertson served on the Parks board, was appointed to Shoreline council and is the only candidate who lives east of I-5.
  • David Chen is a Shorecrest graduate, the son of Chinese immigrants, and lives in the Echo Lake neighborhood.
  • Doris McConnell has been on the City council since 2008 and feels her experience on the council and in the community is a benefit to Shoreline.
  • Vivian Collica has lived in Shoreline for 15 years and want to use her knowledge as a construction consultant to benefit the community.
  • Keith Scully is in his first term on the council. While doorbelling for his first election everyone told him that sidewalks were most important - so council set up funding for new and old sidewalks. Now people are telling him the main issue is homelessness.
What are the two biggest issues facing the city and how would you resolve them?
  • Vivian - homelessness - city policies are in conflict with solutions. We need a local solution, not regional.
  • Keith - people who need assistance to get through the day. Solution is to partner with agencies as we did with the 198th building and Catholic Services.
  • Betsy is a park advocate but her issues are homelessness and opioid use. She would partner with specialists and non profits to keep people in their homes.
  • Luis would protect parks and parklands. He wants to work here instead of commuting and wants a better transportation system.
  • Doris -human services and housing affordability
  • David -income inequality and continuum of care - needs a coordinated regional response. Climate change.
Changing city - how to manage change and keep things affordable
  • Luis - incentivize home ownership over renting
  • Betsy - include affordable housing
  • Vivian - developers are getting incentives and not putting in business.
  • Keith - we mandate affordable housing at a low rate - can't force owners to do all we want.
  • David - examine the development code
  • Doris - affordable housing isn't really affordable.
Where do you stand on Prop 1?
  • Vivian - not a good investment
  • Keith - support it. The school district offered property but the cost was the same as buying property and building.
  • David - served on the financial committee. It needs to have dedicated space for the Senior Center. Need a community space and room for the Arts Council
  • Doris - Seniors need a place they can be guaranteed. The community asked for parks. It's up to the voters.
  • Luis - absolutely opposed. It's a burden on homeowners. Use the money to train teachers.
  • Betsy - it's the start of a city center. We can't put off taking care of parks.
In response to other questions, everyone voiced their support for LGBTQ people, deplored guns, and affirmed a woman's right to make her own medical decisions.

A question about "modernizing zoning laws" and one about a rumor that the School District would sell the Shoreline Center just puzzled everyone.

The next candidate forum is Thursday, 6pm at Prince of Peace church, sponsored by the Briarcrest and Ridgecrest neighborhoods and the Shoreline Area News.

--Diane Hettrick

10-2-19 Added Keith Scully's opening remarks


Read more...

Reminder: Briarcrest - Ridgecrest candidate forum Thursday

The Briarcrest - Ridgecrest - Shoreline Area News candidate forum is Thursday, October 3, 2019 in the community hall of Prince of Peace Church 14514 20th Ave NE.

Meet the candidates from 6pm to 7pm. Moderated forum from 7pm to 8:30pm.



Read more...

Reminder: Candidate forum Tuesday 7pm

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Reminder: The Shoreline PTA Council and NUHSA are holding a Candidate Forum Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at 7pm at the Shoreline Center18560 1st Ave NE, Shoreline 98155 in the Shoreline Room at the north end of the complex.

Featuring: Shoreline City Council and Shoreline School Board

All local forums listed here



Read more...

OCT 6 Candidate meet and greet - North Seattle Progressives

Friday, September 27, 2019

OCT 6 Candidate meet and greet
Sunday October 6, 2019 from 3pm to 4pm

Sponsor: North Seattle Progressives (NSP)

Featuring: Progressive candidates from the cities of Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, Edmonds and Lynnwood, King and Snohomish counties, Edmonds, Shoreline and Seattle school boards, Snohomish county courts


Southernmost building on the Shoreline Center campus, facing N 185th

North Seattle Progressives is a community-based, all-volunteer, action-oriented organization working to support progressive values and policies. We believe in the ability of an educated and informed electorate to make sound decisions democratically. We are very excited to provide voters and candidates in our community the opportunity to meet each other and discuss issues of concern. This will be an informal, conversational setting with no speeches or candidate statements.

Please stay until 5:00pm and join us for our regular Weekly Action meeting. We highlight actions for the coming week and hold break out groups in the areas of Healthcare, Elections, Immigration, Environment, Defending Democracy and more.

All local forums listed here





Read more...

OCT 5 Candidate forum - Meridian Park PTSA and Meridian Park NA


MPNA and MPPTSA 
Present 2019 Candidate Forum and Meet and Greet 
11am to 1pm Saturday, October 5th

The Meridian Park Neighborhood Association and Meridian Park Elementary PTSA will present a Candidate Forum and Meet and Greet from 11am-1pm on Saturday, October 5th in the Meridian Park Elementary cafeteria. 

We encourage the Shoreline community to come and hear the current School Board and City Council candidates discuss services and issues regarding school-age youth. All are welcome and there is no cost to attend.

Post your questions for the candidates and RSVP here

Meridian Park Elementary cafeteria 17077 Meridian Ave N, Shoreline 98133




Read more...

OCT 3 Candidate forum - Briarcrest NA and Ridgecrest NA

OCT 3 Candidate Forum
Thursday, October 3, 2019 at 7pm

Sponsors: Briarcrest Neighborhood Association, Ridgecrest Neighborhood Association, and Shoreline Area News

Featuring: Shoreline City Council forum and Shoreline School Board meet and greet


Lower level, outside, front entrance



Read more...
ShorelineAreaNews.com
Facebook: Shoreline Area News
Twitter: @ShorelineArea
Daily Email edition (don't forget to respond to the Follow.it email)

  © Blogger template The Professional Template II by Ourblogtemplates.com 2009

Back to TOP