Three unopposed candidates, one showdown between two current councilmembers. That’s how things will look on the Kenmore City Council portion of the Nov. 8 general-election ballot.
Mayor David Baker leads the charge all alone for Position No. 5, saying that he will “continue to foster a healthy economic climate and work to improve city streets, as well as finish the State Route 522 project.”
Baker listed his strengths as having a good track record as an elected official and garnering respect in the region and the state.
Deputy Mayor Milton Curtis is locked solo into Position No. 3 and sees Kenmore as a “great city with incredible potential.” He cites the 80 acres between Lakepointe and Plywood Supply, which could eventually be developed by those private owners into civic, business and living spaces, as one key to Kenmore’s growth.
Council newcomer Brent Smith sits all by himself in Position No. 1.
He’s shown maximum involvement in giving Kenmore a boost over the years, though: working with city staff, councilmembers and community leaders on a number of local projects; serving on the St. Edward State Park Advisory Committee and as a boardmember and founding member of Families for Active Parks in Kenmore; coaching local youth sports organizations.
It’s at Position No. 7 where things will get interesting with John Hendrickson and Glenn Rogers trying to get voters on their sides. Ballots will be mailed Oct. 20.
“With nine-plus years of extensive hard work in public service to Kenmore, I have the experience and know how to deliver productive, efficient, transparent and respectful government,” Hendrickson said.
Among his many reasons for running for council, Rogers says the he values citizen involvement and seeks out the opinions of the quiet or less heard people of Kenmore.
“Citizen involvement in our local government is key to our future success and holding us accountable,” he added.
The Reporter asked the candidates why they are running, what the top issues are and why people should vote for them.
Here’s a sample of the Position 7 candidates’ responses:
Hendrickson
• The public has the right to know how their money is spent, in a clear bottom-line manner that enables them to determine whether or not they are receiving real value for their money.
Over the last 12 years, Kenmore has spent the majority of its time and money building a $17 million City Hall that we cannot afford to operate at half capacity. This is exactly what we were warned not to do in our financial plan at incorporation, because we would then not be able to fund needed park, and public safety road improvements. I am the candidate best prepared to face that reality now. We need to work together to streamline our financial resources directly into public improvements at a reasonable price.
• I have a strong record of supporting transparency and open government. I was appointed by the State Attorney General to serve on the Open Government Task Force in Olympia. I have always supported an environment of mutual respect, tolerance and high ethical standards. I have never given in to the pressure to be less than honest, nor have I turned my back on individual citizens when they have a legitimate grievance against the city.
With my years of experience in complex consolidated tax accounting for a Fortune 100 company, I have accounted for every tax dollar that Kenmore has collected and spent since Day One. They are consistent with our original financial plan at incorporation, which uses the bottom-line format and accounts for the equitable sharing of resources between operations and public improvements. The reports clearly show what the city does, how much it costs to run, and how much of our money we get to keep in order to invest in our own public improvements.
Rogers
• I want to help my community. Kenmore is a growing city in need of strong, stable leadership. Our citizens reasonably expect high-quality services while keeping the tax burden low.
Kenmore needs a councilmember who: -Will focus on business development in our downtown core area. Revenue from businesses will provide long-term budget sustainability without raising taxes on our residents. – Understands State Route 522 is causing traffic congestion in our city. We need to work even closer with the state and other local jurisdictions to hold them accountable for the impacts of their planning. – Has top priorities that will always be to ensure our police services are fully funded and our parks well-maintained and safe for our residents. We can protect property values by keeping Kenmore a desirable place to live. Kenmore should be the type of community where people are proud to say they live.
My problem-solving skills have been tested and proven over the years. Our city and council need an experienced person who is not afraid to ask questions and knows what questions to ask.
• My priorities are: Business development not tax increases; Managing traffic to keep Kenmore livable; Protecting essential services (police, fire and parks); Ensuring our residents have a voice in the future of Kenmore
• Our economy and families are going through tough times. I have supported no tax increases while I have been on the council. Our budgets have been balanced and verified by the state auditor every year. We have paid for essential city facilities with no additional borrowing or tax increases. As a result of our careful planning we will have $5 million in reserve at year end and are able to weather the financial storm we are currently in.
Here’s a sample of the remaining candidates’ responses:
Baker
• I have been a leader and a problem solver in our community. I have worked for significant park, street, roadway and surface-water improvements without raising taxes. In addition, while hundreds of post offices were being closed around the nation, I initiated the negotiations with the US Postal Service in Washington, D.C. to retain the USPS Kenmore Branch.
Safe streets, pleasant neighborhoods, places to play and recreate, and protecting the environment is the theme of my philosophy. While Kenmore’s neighboring cities struggle with deficits and raise taxes, I have helped move Kenmore forward without raising taxes. The city has received “unqualified” (clean) audits from the independent State Auditor’s annual audit every year during my term in office.
Curtis
• I have truly enjoyed serving the citizens of Kenmore on the City Council for the last four years. I look forward to council meetings every month. I enjoy learning new things.
We have worked on development issues that included: a major effort to keep the post office in Kenmore; working with the library to allow them to build sooner while construction costs were favorable; and working on infrastructure such as streats, lights and sidewalks to create an environment ready for development when the economy improves. We have make improvements in Logboom Park and Rhododendrom Park, as well as partnering with Bastyr University to provide new ballfields for sports activities. We did a major revision and update of our zoning regulations. We are working on signs and banners to give Kenmore a more coherent identity. Each of these issues involves understanding them well enough to make informed policy decisions.
Smith
• I am running for a position with the Kenmore City Council because I have been active as a volunteer in Kenmore civic matters for many years, and I know that as a councilmember I can strongly contribute to Kenmore fulfilling its potential as a city. My goals as a councilmember are as follows: Raise the level of civility and constructive dialogue on the council. Develop a stronger local and regional image of Kenmore. Maintain responsible fiscal budgeting. Enhance our parks and recreation opportunities
• I would like your vote because I have demonstrated my commitment toward making Kenmore an even better place to live. My practical business experience includes running my own company over the last 13 years. I also have a bachelor of arts in economics from the University of Washington. Combined, I have achieved a solid background and understanding of today’s business and financial realities.
