MONROE:
Elections crowded with newcomers and familiar faces

by POLLY KEARY, EDITOR

It promises to be a lively election year in Monroe.

Of five offices open for election in Monroe this year, only one candidate will go unchallenged. Only one other will run with just one opponent. The rest will face a primary race to narrow the field to two, then will proceed to the general election.

There are some familiar faces in Monroe politics seeking offices, including ethics activist Todd Fredrickson, and some new faces, including YMCA director Patsy Cudaback.

In all, 13 people have filed for the five offices open in Monroe. Each candidate was invited to share some information about him or herself for this issue; most did. All were invited to send photos; those who did have them included here. What follows is a brief introduction to the people that will seek your vote this summer and fall.

Mayor

	Donnetta Walser

Monroe mayor Donnetta Walser filed for a third term last week. Wednesday, her first opponent announced his candidacy; that of current councilman Mitch Ruth. At 2 p.m. Thursday, a third candidate joined the race; former city councilman Robert Zimmerman.

Walser ran unopposed in 2005, but a new tone is needed on the council, said Ruth. Although he likes and respects the mayor, he said it’s time for a shift.

“The biggest reason is the significant, overwhelming requests of people of Monroe that have asked me to run, for a change of leadership, because they want to see a change in tone and style,” said the real estate business owner, who said that some council members were among those who requested that he run. “It would appear it is a majority of the council,” said Ruth.

He said the relationship between the executive and legislative branches of the city is strained. “There has been for quite some time through this seated council and the last seated council an inadequate amount of communication between the mayor and the council and distrust,” he said.

It’s not that Walser and her staff have been ineffective, he went on. “We are very appreciative that they’ve been effective,” he said. “The city with the addition of Tim Quenzer as city administrator is running more efficiently and economically than anytime since I’ve been on council.”

Walser stated in last week’s Monitor that she is running again to see North Kelsey through, and to continue her work on transportation issues, most particularly US 2.

Zimmerman served on the council from 2004 to 2008, when he chose not to run again. He has a history of working in sales and in business, including work with grocery products and with solid waste. He didn’t submit a statement or information for this story.

Council Position At large (Two-Year Position)

Of the four council seats up for election this year, only one candidate will run unopposed. That is David Kennedy, who was appointed to the seat in May of 2007. He took the position left vacant when Ken Berger resigned following a heavy fine from the PDC for campaign finance violations.

The attorney and former planning commission member was selected from 12 applicants, then went on to win his seat again that fall.

Council Position #1 (Four-Year Term)

	Kurt Goering

Kurt Goering, who ran unopposed for the city council at-large position in 2007 following Robert Zimmerman’s decision not to seek re-election, will face one challenger this year.

“My wife, Debbie, and I, along with our three children, are proud to have lived in Monroe for 12 years,” Goering told The Monitor. “We want to see the great things about Monroe made even better. And that is why I am excited to be running for re-election for city council, to continue that work.

“I’m running for council again to continue my fight to protect our quality of life here in Monroe, which entails fully funding our police department, findingsolutions to our traffic problems, and reducing the financial impact of
government on our city residents.

“I’m proud of the positive environment I’ve fostered on council during the last two years. We’re more effective and efficient, and I’m proud to have been a catalyst for that change. I bring a much needed dose of honesty, integrity and
high ethical standards to council.

“I offer a unique skill set to council that is not found among the other members. My private-sector experience as a business manager and systems engineer, coupled with my urban planning and geography background, give me the ability to bring my real world experience to the table. I know how to design and deliver a quality product, on time and within budget. I know how to work with people of differing political philosophies. I know how to live within my means at work and at home and I demand the same from the city. Government should always live within its means, and even more so during this time of economic downturn.”

Goering will face political newcomer Katy Woods for the position.

Council position #2

No less than four candidates have filed for the seat left vacant by Geoffrey Thomas, who has decided not to seek re-election this year.

Among them is political newcomer Bridgette Tuttle. According to information she sent the paper, she is married, has two kids, and has lived in Monroe since 2001.|

“I am a substitute para-educator in the Monroe School District with a background in working with children with autism,” she said. “My husband and I are small business owners and I am a loan officer, as well. “I decided to run for election because I believe that when you are part of a community (church, school, town), it is important to give back to that community through service of some kind. I love living in Monroe and am interested in helping where I may.

“Aspects of my history, experience, and personal philosophy that I think will be useful as a council member are:

• I am a parent so understand what families desire from their community.

• I am a small business owner so understand the struggles and triumphs of the business community.

• My educational background is business so I understand the technical aspects of finances and budgeting that surround the city’s business affairs.

• I have been an active member and elected board officer in the school PTA so understand how to problem-solve, organize, and work with others to set and accomplish goals.

• I approach leadership from a service perspective and have volunteered many hours in this community at school, church, the Monroe School District Truancy Board, and as a team leader for the YMCA Invest in Youth Campaign.

• I have a heart for the community of Monroe.”

	Patsy Cudaback

Also running is Patsy Cudaback, currently the director of the YMCA. “I am running for Monroe City Council Position 2 because I share a common vision with my fellow Monroe residents, a vision not necessarily of change, but of persistence. It is vital we remain a model community for the region, especially as we endeavor to sustain healthy growth during challenging economic times,” she wrote.

“In Monroe we find ourselves in a unique position to support a safe and vibrant community central to raising healthy, productive families, while simultaneously fostering the vision of our home as a destination where everyone can enjoy all that Monroe has to offer.

“To these ends, the challenges that lay before us include the permanent establishment of an Everett Community College branch campus in Monroe, increasing local educational and employment opportunities; continued focus on the Kelsey development project, an enterprise that will accentuate the area as a valuable shopping destination; actively enhance historic downtown Monroe such that improvements yield the foundation for a vibrant tourist attraction; and continue to address local traffic concerns so that these benefits come with minimal impact to our daily lives.

“I am running to ensure these shared goals are realized for our community.

“As executive director of a local non-profit I have successfully resolved critical budget issues, cultivated strong relationships with community leaders, and formed collaborations and partnerships in our diverse community, skills that will assist in the accomplishment of our goals.”

	Paul Loots

Joining the race is Paul Loots, a sitting planning commissioner since 2007 who wasone of the 12 candidates to seek Ken Berger’s seat, which was eventually given to David Kennedy. He stated his background and reason for running concisely.

“My wife and I moved to Monroe in 2002 with our two daughters (now teenagers) from the Kirkland area,” he wrote. “I work for a restaurant design firm in Bellevue and have been there for 11 years.

“I have been on the Monroe Planning Commission since August of 2007 and I served on the downtown steering committee. I believe that experience will be helpful on the council. I decided to run because I wanted to increase my role in the community.”

Rounding out the race is Todd Fredrickson, a long-time city activist and former ethics board member who fought hard for an ethics ordinance more rigorous than what state law required. He nearly unseated Ken Berger in 2005.

“While all levels of government are feeling the fiscal binding of the current state of our economy, the public’s safety should be top priority when considering funding distribution,” he wrote. “Eliminating positions or equipment of our police, firefighters or EMTs is not conducive with a safe society.

“A joint effort between the city, the business community, and volunteers can help soften the impact of any future economic woes with the city budget.

“I’d like to work with the mayor on creative approaches to complete the North Kelsey project, to include the possibility of a bowling alley, and a Trader Joe’s.

“Monroe can be a place for major youth sports activities, and introducing BMX or motorcross events , along with summer classic auto and motorcycle shows, would bring in consumers to our local economy and help reinvigorate the city's image.

“When asked why I am running for a council seat I like to use a quote by Gandhi: ‘Be the change you want to see.’”

“I’ve got 26 years of public service, four years with the US Army’s 82nd Airborne, employed 20 years with the department of corrections, currently a correctional sergeant, and two years as a founding member of Monroe’s ethics board, and a past citizen activist to improve the ethics ordinance through the initiative process.”

Council Position #3

Since Mitch Ruth is abandoning his council seat to seek election as mayor, three candidates have filed to take his place, including one former city council member and two newcomers.

Travis Brown is one of two former Eagle Scouts seeking the seat. “I moved to Monroe in 1992 at the age of eight,” he said. “I attended school in the Monroe School district all the way through graduation. I earned my Eagle Scout throughTroop 53 based right here in Monroe. I currently work as an officer for the department of corrections up on the same hill I graduated high school on.

I live in Monroe near the hospital with my fiance and two children. In short, I am a home-town boy.

“I have no political experience, but I decided to run for city council because we have been told our whole lives that the children are our leaders of tomorrow. I now have children, which means they are now the future. It is time for me to start taking the burden off the generation before me and start bearing that burden for my generation. They have laid great groundwork for the future, it’s time we pick up the torch and head to a golden future of Monroe for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.

“Although I have no political experience I do have extensive experience as a citizen of a town I care deeply about.”

	Jeff Frye

Jeff Frye served on the city council from 2002, when he was appointed to replace Donnetta Walser, who had won the seat of mayor, until 2007, when he took an opportunity to buy his family’s dream home just outside the city limits. That made him ineligible for the city council, so he stepped down, but he remained eligible for the planning commission, upon which he took a seat in June of 2007.

Since then, his residence has been annexed into the city of Monroe, making him once again eligible for the council. "I have lived in Monroe for 14 years with my wife and three kids and we enjoy everything about it,” wrote Frye. “I work at an engineering firm in Kirkland, and I am currently serving on the planning commission. Coaching in the local soccer club is a great passion of mine as well. I actively search for fish in the Skykomish River. We enjoy hunting, camping, fishing, geocaching, and spending time outdoors together and with friends.

"Previously, I served on the park board, and more recently served on the Monroe City Council. During that time the city saw growth, new retail development, and many positive changes. I look forward to serving again in this capacity.”

Also running is Tom Williams of Monroe. “I was born and raised in Snohomish County and I’ve lived in Western Washington most my life. My wife Jennifer and I have been married since 2004 and we moved to Monroe in early 2005. We do not currently have any children,” he wrote.

	Tom Williams

“I’ve served in different leadership roles throughout my professional career including five years on the school board for Northshore Christian Academy in Everett. I currently own a software and consulting company.

“Throughout my professional career I’ve been a leader. That has included building strong and effective management teams, making difficult decisions, working with people of differing views, and being held accountable for my results.
“I’m running because I love this community and we want to raise a family here. As I’ve witnessed events that have led to the current financial status of the city and heard concerns from my friends and neighbors I could no longer sit back and do nothing. I know my business background and leadership experience will be an asset to the city and I’ll work hard to improve the things that will ensure this a place people are proud to call home.”

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