EVERETT — The candidates for Snohomish County Council, as well as school board, port and sheriff’s office candidates, attended a forum held by the Cascade View and Twin Creeks neighborhoods Monday, July 15 at the Everett Police Department South Precinct.
Eight candidates are seeking to advance in the Aug. 6 primary that cuts the field to two. Many of the candidates came to the meeting with a smile and a handshake prepared to plead their case.
In the running are: Sharita Burton, Megan Dunn, Louis Harris, Jennifer Gregerson, Alex Lark, Tyler Verda, Cecilia Wilson and Anna Rohrbough. They are aiming for the seat being vacated by Councilman Brian Sullivan, who is isn’t allowed to run for a fourth term.
One question that seemed to hit home with members of the crowd and a few candidates was this:
* If they were elected, what would they do to address homelessness and why should we vote for them if we can’t even vote to provide a site for homeless school children?
Their responses were:
Harris said: “We have representatives that stand on a high horse and say that they are serving to the best of our community. The reality is, we don’t see that… I want to make sure that before we make those measures we need the community to understand how important that project is … we have elected officials that are in place to do these things and when they don’t do that, that’s when there needs to be a change.”
Gregerson said: “There are a lot of tough decisions that are sometimes hard to explain, but you have to be strong enough to be a
leader and stand up for the decision that you made. That’s something that I’ve learned in my experience and I’m ready to do that.”
Tyler Verda emphasized how the city needs more resources to go to the programs that need them the most. One service he shared was his work with Rapid Rehousing. “We need cost effective investments that will make for a healthier and safer community for all of us … Rapid Rehousing can address homelessness. We help them find private housing, help pay for rent and help them find a job… By far one of the most cost effective and fastest ways to address homelessness … last year the program housed over 350 people … it needs to be a main focus,” Verda said.
A spokeswoman for Rohrbough said: “Wanting our community to be better means we are going to have to make some changes around here… and focus on things that affect quality of life. We have drug trafficking, homeless encampments … We want to represent good people like you.”
Sharita Burton said: “Part of what I intend to do as your elected representative is to make sure that I’m staying connected with this community… we need to be looking for solutions to problems that will affect us in many real ways… and that’s only going to happen if we start to work with you, the community.”
Alex Lark said: “I work on housing everyday, as a planning commissioner and former congressional staffer I want to bring that experience to fight for housing because it is the foundation for everything that we seek to achieve… economic growth, equity, opportunity, it all boils down to housing. I want to fight for working families by supporting union jobs and leading by example.”
Megan Dunn said: “I believe in sustainable development and working to bring more response form government… I pledge to fight for that everyday, and to fight to have an open door and to fight for you at the local level… It is really important that we come together and pass policies and make a difference in people’s lives.”
Cecilia Wilson said: “There are some pressing issues here in Snohomish County and I believe that I have unmatched experience both on the legislative side and operational side of county government… I would be honored to have your vote.”
Primary ballots were mailed out late last week.
