Laura Ruderman

Sunday was caucus day for Washington state’s Democrats, the first step in picking delegates who will attend the national presidential nominating convention in Charlotte, N.C. in early September.

The 1st Legislative District, which represents much of Mountlake Terrace, held its caucus at Canyon Park Junior High in Bothell, with more than 140 people attending, said Nicholas Carlson, chair of the 1st District Democrats. In addition to selecting delegates, the caucus also conducted a straw poll for who should be the Democratic nominee for the 1st Congressional Districct seat vacated by Jay Inslee, who is running for governor.

According to Carlson, the winner of the Democrats’ straw poll — a precursor to the August primary — was former State Rep. Laura Ruderman, with 58 votes. Ruderman, a Kirkland resident who represented the 45th District from 1999-2005, ran for Secretary of State in 2004, losing to Sam Reed.  Darcy Burner, who ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2006 and 2008 against 8th District incumbent Dave Reichert, finished second in the straw poll, with 19 votes, while businessman Darshan Rauniyar received 18 votes.

The vote totals were as follows:
Ruderman: 58 votes
Burner: 19 votes
Rauniyar: 18 votes
Suzan DelBene: 6 votes
Steve Hobbs: 2 votes

Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon speaks at the Mountlake Terrace City Council Thursday. (Photo by Doug Petrowski)

By Doug Petrowski

Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon briefly addressed the Mountlake Terrace City Council Thursday evening as part of the council’s regularly scheduled work/study session. Reardon, who is serving his third consecutive term as county executive, covered a variety subjects including Sound Transit light rail, a Paine Field training center and county economic development. He did not mention the ongoing investigation the Washington State Patrol is conducting on accusations he misused county funds and resources to campaign for his re-election and to cover up an alleged affair.

After his address to the city council, Reardon told a reporter he doesn’t know any details of the current investigation, nor is it interfering with his work as county executive.

In addition to being county executive, Reardon currently serves as a vice-chair on the Sound Transit Board of Directors. He has recently shown support for placing the planned north link of Sound Transit light rail alongside Interstate 5 in Mountlake Terrace.

“When I first started in this role I was convinced that Highway 99 was the best option, but looking at all the data it’s empirical that it is not the best option,” Reardon said. Mountlake Terrace Mayor Jerry Smith and members of the city council lobbied Sound Transit for the north link to run through Mountlake Terrace along the freeway. In addition, tentative plans now call for a light rail station to be located at the Mountlake Terrace transit center at I-5 and 236th Street Southwest.

The 32nd Legislative District, which covers parts of King and Snohomish counties, will meet in the following Snohomish County locations:
Edmonds-Woodway High School, 7600 212th St. S.W., Edmonds: All of Lynnwood precincts in the 32nd, Snohomish county precincts north and east of Lynnwood in the 32nd.
Madrona K-8 School, 9300 236th St. S.W., Edmonds: Edmonds precincts in the 32nd, Mountlake Terrace precincts in the 32nd, Esperance precincts, Woodway precincts, Nile Precinct

All of the 1st Legislative District (Mountlake Terrace plus a few southeast Edmonds neighborhoods, including Lake Ballinger) will caucus at Canyon Park Junior High, 23723 23rd Ave. S.E., Bothell.

If you are uncertain of your caucus location, you can confirm it here. The legislative district meetings are the first step in the process of selecting delegates to the national Democratic convention, which will be in Charlotte, N.C. Sept. 3-6.

The top two candidates will move on to the general election in November.

“I’m going to run a people-powered campaign,” said Liias. “Middle-class families need a fighter right now — someone who will fight for jobs, protect Social Security and Medicare, and fight back against special interest influence. That’s what I’ve done in the Legislature and that’s what I’ll do in Congress.”

In a video emailed to his supporters, Liias talks about how he believes hard-working Washington families deserve a voice in Congress who will stand up for jobs, Social Security and Medicare, and that he will work to create a strong middle class and help small businesses grow.

He talks about how he believes the Wisconsin experience taught Americans that special interests are hurting working families, and those families need strong advocates\.

As a life long Washington resident, born at Stevens Hospital in Edmonds, Liias says that he understands the challenges that communities and families are facing and will bring their stories, voices, and values to Congress.

The only issue on the ballot that is specific to Mountlake Terrace is the primary for Mountlake Terrace City Council Position 7. All other MLT City Council races only have 2 candidates so they won’t appear on the primary.

Running for Position 7 are incumbent John Zambrano, Seaun Richards and Kim Michels. John Zambrano will be seeking his 3rd term as Councilmember.

Click here for more election 2011 coverage from MLTnews.

Below you can find each of the Candidate Statements:

John Zambrano

Occupation: 20 year Navy Veteran/U.S. Navy Fleet Reserve; Retired Postal Employee/Union Trustee

Education: Central Washington University Graduate/Business Administration; Edmonds Community College/Management Degree, Advanced Certified Municipal Leadership Degree from Association of Washington Cities

Personal: Experienced Councilman; 38 year Mountlake Terrace resident; married to Janice (45 years); have three grown children and eight grandchildren

Community Service: President of Emergency Services Coordinating Agency; Council Finance Committee; Graduate of Citizens’ Police Academy; MLT Parks and Recreation Commissioner; American Legion and VFW member

Accomplishments on Council (2003-2011)
Environmental Preservation – Major street improvements – Public safety Programs – Focus on environmental issues including critical areas and conservation strategies – Funding for youth, senior, and community groups – Increased communication via city newsletters, website, press releases – Dog Park Development – School sidewalk funding – Mountlake Terrace voted Best Community – Supported balanced budget leading to multiple Finance Awards – Governor’s Award for the planning of a city town center – Evergreen Awards that build community pride through recognition of property owners.

Statement: My personal commitment principle:
“Working together builds community”

Seaun Richards

With sleeves rolled up, I look forward to representing the citizens of Mountlake Terrace. As a 25 year veteran businessperson with hands on business development, jobs creator and neighborhood advocate, I will work with the council’s lead of aggressive budgeting, protecting neighborhoods, and support and participate in the revitalization of the downtown corridor, and bring in
new businesses to help increase the tax base.

My wife LaRae and I own the Red Onion Restaurant. Our ideas are sweeping the nation by creating local jobs, spending shopping dollars locally, and creating neighborhood events.

With the help of volunteers and local neighborhoods, I am able to host MLT Easter Egg Hunt, MLT Trunk R Treat and SHOP with a Cop.
I am on the Board of Directors of CheeseburgerBabies Foundation and Tour de Terrace.

I am a member of the Mountlake Terrace Business Assocation and South Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce.

The Seaun Richards Campaign Team includes an endorsement from Mountlake Terrace Mayor Jerry Smith. I will keep the citizens of Mountlake Terrace informed and ask for feedback through the help of social media.

Like ‘Seaun Richards’ on facebook.

Kim Michels

Kim Michel has over 15 years of experience as a Human Resources professional. Michel is skilled at handling difficult conversations, balancing the interest of the employee versus the organization’s best interests. This experience will be beneficial when serving on the Council as they move forward with tough and sensitive decisions regarding issues such as the Marijuana dispensaries and downtown project.

Michel has her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Towson University in Baltimore, Maryland. She is also certified as Senior Professional in Human Resources. As a Training and Development Manager, Michel believes creating awareness through education is an essential element to a safe and fun community. In 2006 Michel chose Mountlake Terrace as home. Mountlake Terrace provided convenience to Seattle or Everett, a “small town” feel and opportunity for growth with the plans of the downtown. Michel feels it is important to be involved in the community in which she lives.

In order to be more active in the community Michel joined the Mountlake Terrace Police Advisory Board and is currently participating in the Citizen’s Academy. Michel has experience on the Lake WA Human Resources Association board and her Homeowners board.

The city’s budget document received a number of very favorable remarks by GFOA including:

• “The City’s Strategic Management Plan focuses on economic development, capital infrastructure improvements, and overall fiscal stability. Overall this is an exemplary Policy Plan presentation.”
• “The Department Directors have clear direction from the elected officials. Service delivery improvements are monitored to assure they are meeting the strategic plan prescribed.”
• “Coordination between and among the policy decision makers and the administrative staff is apparent. The elected officials and management have clearly developed organization-wide policy goals that will lead the City into the next decade.”
• “The policy initiatives are monitored by the elected officials and adjustment to the policy goals when necessary are executed. Overall this is a proficient presentation that will lead the City into the next decade with a strategic management plan this will produce improvements to City services and overall quality of life for the citizens.”