City Councilmember Laurie Sperry Responds to Our Questions
Posted by the Kenmore Crow | Filed under Politics | No Comments Yet!
After earlier declining our invitation, Laurie Sperry, current councilmember running for reelection to Kenmore City Council position #2 (campaign website), has a change of heart and sent over answers to our questionnaire after all. Following are her unedited answers.
- Why are you running for Kenmore City Council?
I am seeking re-election because I feel that we as a city are in the midst of a wonderful revitalization, and I would like to continue to use the experience I have gained as a councilwoman to help guide the city through this important time of transition.
- What will be your top priority should you be elected to this position?
I will continue to focus my efforts on revitalizing “downtown” Kenmore in an affordable, environmentally friendly manner. I also am committed to preserving parks, trails and open space in Kenmore and protecting the character of our single family neighborhoods.
- What is your favorite thing about Kenmore?
My favorite thing about Kenmore is our location near Lake Washington. We are so fortunate to have parks and trails to enjoy the natural beauty around us.
- What is your least favorite thing about Kenmore?
My least favorite thing about Kenmore is the traffic during the SR522 improvements.
- Arrange these nearby cities in order from your favorite to your least favorite: Woodinville, Shoreline, Bothell, Kirkland, Brier.
Kenmore’s elected officials work together with our neighboring cities on regional issues. Kenmore also shares a public works crew with Lake Forest Park. I will leave the rating of neighboring cities to others.
- What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing Kenmore in the next 5 years?
The biggest challenge in the next 5 years will be balancing the needs, wants and desires of the community with the financial resources available.
- What’s your favorite restaurant in Kenmore?
I do not have a particular favorite restaurant in Kenmore. I am excited to see new eateries like the Butcher Shop Café open on Juanita drive.
- Why should voters select you over your opponent?
I have almost four years of experience on the Kenmore City Council. I have a proven record of accomplishments as a councilmember.
On the council, I’ve worked hard to preserve Kenmore’s environment and quality of life by improving parks, trails and open space and protecting the character of our single family neighborhoods through height and infill restrictions. I’ve encouraged citizen communication through a new city website, publishing Kenmore Blog.net and meeting with citizens. I’m committed to Kenmore’s continued economic health and prosperity by being fiscally responsible and attracting new stores and businesses to the city. I serve as Kenmore’s representative on the WRI8 Salmon Recovery Council, Northshore Parks and Recreation Service Area, and Kenmore Library Advisory Board.
Please visit my campaign website: http://lauriesperry.com/ If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me by email at laurie@lauriesperry.com or by phone: (206) 817-2260. I look forward to hearing from you.
We appreciate Laurie’s reconsideration. Thanks for joining us, Laurie.
Patrick O’Brien is now the only candidate I have not yet gotten any response from. Hopefully he sends us something soon, so our collection can be a complete guide to Kenmore’s upcoming City Council elections.
Tags: city council, election, Laurie Sperry, Politics
Chase Branding Complete on Former WaMu Kenmore Branch
Posted by the Kenmore Crow | Filed under Business | 1 Comment
Just under a year after WaMu’s official insolvency and subsequent acquisition by Chase, Kenmore’s branch on 181st Street has completely finished the visual transition into a 100% Chase Bank, with a new permanent sign installed by the street and the Chase name and logo mounted to the building.
In my opinion the new Chase look is a lot more sterile and uninviting than the WaMu feel was, especially the interior of the building. But I suppose it is better to have our local branch continue operating under a massive impersonal operation headquartered in New York City than to have lost the local jobs that the branch provides. I just wish Chase would stop running those annoying “new to Washington” radio ads.
City Council Candidate Bob Hensel Responds to Our Questions
Posted by the Kenmore Crow | Filed under Politics | No Comments Yet!
Bob Hensel, candidate for Kenmore City Council (email: hen5599@comcast.net), has responded to our questionnaire. Following are his unedited answers. Bob is running unopposed for position #4, which is being vacated by Councilmember Randy Eastwood.
- Why are you running for Kenmore City Council?
I am running for Kenmore City Council because I believe in public service and giving back to the community in which you live. In the past I have given back to my community as a soccer coach, leader of the YMCA Indian guides, treasurer of the PTA, auctioneer (pro bono) for local charity events, head of an ad-hoc citizens group, Kenmore city council member, and most recently Chair of the City of Kenmore Economic Development Advisory Committee.
- What will be your top priority should you be elected to this position?
My top priority if elected will be economic development. The economic development advisory committee recently presented an action plan with goals and strategies to the city council. The plan includes both short term and long term goals and strategies and was accepted unanimously by the city council. Current economic conditions are difficult at best but by planing now we will be ready to take advantage of the recovery when it happens and I wish to be part of that effort.
- What is your favorite thing about Kenmore?
My favorite thing about Kenmore is its people. Their diversity, knowledge, and passion for their causes and the city make Kenmore a truly wonderful place to live.
- What is your least favorite thing about Kenmore?
Right now my least favorite thing about Kenmore is the construction on 522. I just keep telling myself be patient because when it is finished traffic will improve access to local businesses will improve and Kenmore will look a lot better.
- Arrange these nearby cities in order from your favorite to your least favorite: Woodinville, Shoreline, Bothell, Kirkland, Brier.
Rather than rate these cities because they are all good, if elected I would like to talk with the elected officials from these cities and ask them what they think is the best part of their city, Then I would like to ask them what policies and procedures they put in place to make their city better. We can learn from their experiences to help make our city better.
- What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing Kenmore in the next 5 years?
The biggest challenge facing Kenmore is the economic down turn and how we handle it as a city. The down turn is effecting our ability to complete the downtown plan, construct local infrastructure improvements, and obtain funding from other government agencies to improve our city.
- What’s your favorite restaurant in Kenmore?
I do not have a favorite restaurant in Kenmore. Our family visits as many restaurants in Kenmore as we can because it is important to support all the businesses in Kenmore.
- Why should voters select you over your opponents?
Currently I have no opponent. However, as previously stated I believe in public service and the idea that a job worth doing is worth doing well. The learning curve for a council member is steep but I will study and do my best to learn the issues that affect our city. I will listen to everyone in our community to learn and understand their concerns. However, listening does not mean I may come to the same conclusion on the issues at hand. I will commit myself to making Kenmore a better community for everyone now and into the future.
I’d like to thank Bob for participating even though he does not have an opponent in November. Kenmore voters have no practical choice but to elect him, and yet he was still happy to reach out to the community in this online public forum. Kudos.
I have now received some a response from all but one of the folks running for Kenmore City Council in the upcoming election. This includes a change of heart from Laurie Sperry, who decided to participate after all. I will post her responses on Thursday, and will attempt to send another email to Patrick O’Brien this week in case my first message did not go through.
Tags: Bob Hensel, city council, election, Politics
