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
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
City Councilmember Allan Van Ness Responds to Our Questions
Posted by the Kenmore Crow | Filed under Politics | 2 Comments
Allan Van Ness, current councilmember running for reelection to Kenmore City Council position #6 (campaign website), has responded to our questionnaire. Following are his unedited answers.
- Why are you running for Kenmore City Council?
It has been an honor to serve the Citizens of Kenmore on the City Council. After years of planning, improvements are being implemented. We are completing the first phases of SR522 improvements, and our new City Hall is underway. We need more park improvements, more sidewalks and better flood control. The downtown revitalization is on hold due to the national economic problems, but ready to go once things turn around. We’ve just begun. I hope to continue being a part of the civic process and seeing to completion the many plans that are underway.
- What will be your top priority should you be elected to this position?
My top priorities in Kenmore: continuing to improve our parks, improve the traffic flow, citizen access to a green waterfront, revitalization of downtown, etc.
- What is your favorite thing about Kenmore?
My favorite “thing” about Kenmore is the citizens who make our city one of the “Ten Best Towns for Families” in the country. Kenmore is a great city in which to live, play, raise a family and to retire, and it is getting better.
- What is your least favorite thing about Kenmore?
The industrial waterfront, except for the marinas and air harbor.
- Arrange these nearby cities in order from your favorite to your least favorite: Woodinville, Shoreline, Bothell, Kirkland, Brier.
I’d add Lake Forest Park to the list. I don’t think it is appropriate to rank them. They all have their assets and all six are great neighbors.
- What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing Kenmore in the next 5 years?
The biggest challenge will be to obtain funding for all the projects we would like to complete. Hopefully we can continue to progress without an increase in property taxes. The City has not raised property taxes for the last five years.
- What’s your favorite restaurant in Kenmore?
They are all my favorites. We have a good selection of the Asian restaurants and Teos and Mazatlan are good. However, I would like to see some additional moderately priced restaurants like Anthony’s, Olive Garden, Marie Callender’s, etc.
- Why should voters select you over your opponents?
As your Councilmember, I’ve worked to upgrade our parks, pass a critical areas ordinance, establish infill and height regulations, improve safety and traffic on SR-522, and ensure that the new City Hall is environmentally friendly and affordable.
I’m running for reelection to see to completion the revitalization of Kenmore. I envision a vibrant mixed-use community that’s easy to access and pedestrian friendly while maintaining single-family neighborhoods. As development proceeds, we must safeguard our environmental resources. Our parks are a rich asset that we must improve for all ages and interests.
City projects must be accomplished with fiscal responsibility, transparency, and citizen participation. My goal is for Kenmore to remain affordable without increasing the tax burden.
With four years experience on the Council and regional committees, I’ve gained the skills and knowledge to best serve our city. I’m excited about Kenmore’s future and humbly request your continued trust, support and vote.
For more detailed information on the above and other subjects please go to: www.vannessforcouncil.com, and/or contact me by email or phone: allan@vannessforcouncil.com, (425) 398-1040
Thanks for joining in the discussion, Allan. I requested short answers from the candidates to my questions in order to keep these posts from being too long, but if you would like to read more about where Allan stands on local issues, be sure to check out his campaign website, where he has written up his thoughts on just about any local issue you can think of.
FYI, I have also sent a request to Patrick O’Brien, Allan’s November opponent for position #6, but have not yet received a reply (however, he has responded to a similar request over at James Lupori’s “Kenmore Undressed”).
P.S. – Allan had one more issue that he wanted to speak on: council / citizen communications. Here are his thoughts on this.
The Council has recently added a town hall meeting format to the first regular council meeting of each quarter. This is a big step toward better communication with the citizens, however I think we can do a better job publicizing these meetings. I’d like to see more opportunities for two way discussions between the Council and the citizens. To that end I have proposed additional meetings dedicated to the town hall meeting format that are well publicized and hopefully better attended.
Tags: Allan Van Ness, city council, election, Politics
City Councilmember Laurie Sperry Declines Our Questions
Posted by the Kenmore Crow | Filed under Politics | 2 Comments
Unfortunately, current City Councilmember Laurie Sperry, who is running for reelection this November, has declined to answer our our questionnaire.
We received the following email from Laurie this morning:
Dear Kenmore Crow,
Thank you for your request. I am happy to respond to questions from people who are willing to identify themselves by their real name. I like crows, and they can be quite intelligent, however I do not make a practice of talking to crows, even if they are from Kenmore. http://kenmoreblog.net/?p=620
Sincerely,
Laurie Sperry
Kenmore City Councilmember
I am disappointed that Mrs. Sperry would use this blog’s anonymity as an excuse not to answer a simple list of questions that may help the voters of Kenmore determine whether they should check her name on the ballot this fall or that of Diane Brennan.
I have chosen to facilitate this blog anonymously because past experience has taught me that remaining anonymous can help avoid discussions that devolve into ad hominem attacks. Especially given the emotionally-charged nature of some of the issues that Kenmore has dealt with in the past and is facing in the near future, I thought it best to remove the potential distraction of personal discussions. I will never insult or libel anyone through the anonymity of this blog, and simply intend to facilitate an engaging, focused discussion on the important issues of our town.
There are still 71 days before the election, so Mrs. Sperry could change her mind. The Kenmore Crow will not bother her any further with additional requests, but should any of our readers care to encourage Mrs. Sperry to reconsider her dismissive position on this matter, she can be reached at laurie [at] lauriesperry [dot] com.
Tags: anonymity, city council, Diane Brennan, election, Laurie Sperry, Politics
City Council Candidate Diane Brennan Responds to Our Questions
Posted by the Kenmore Crow | Filed under Politics | 7 Comments
Diane Brennan, candidate for Kenmore City Council position #2 (campaign website), was the first candidate to respond to our questionnaire. Following are her unedited answers.
- Why are you running for Kenmore City Council?
I ran for this position because I think the current city council is not responsive to the community’s concerns. I would work for a more open and transparent city government. I want to represent people in the community rather than dictate what should be done.
- What will be your top priority should you be elected to this position?
I would propose that the city apply for more government grants for income shortfalls on the 522 project, and to put in infrastructure improvements such as sidewalks in neighborhoods. In 1999, the city had a record-breaking number of grants but since then the number of grants have decreased.
- What is your favorite thing about Kenmore?
The friendly people, the city parks—my favorites are Wallace Swamp Creek Park, and St. Edwards State Park, and the bird-watching.
- What is your least favorite thing about Kenmore?
The Lakepoint industrial area (except for Kenmore Air and the Marina) which is destroying a beautiful lakefront. Also, I could do without the smell coming from the asphalt plant.
- Arrange these nearby cities in order from your favorite to your least favorite: Woodinville, Shoreline, Bothell, Kirkland, Brier.
Woodinville, Bothell, Shoreline, Kirkland, Brier
- What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing Kenmore in the next 5 years?
Keeping from going bankrupt. We have lost too many small businesses and their accompanying sales and revenue streams.
- What’s your favorite restaurant in Kenmore?
Ichiban Teriyaki—they have great pork teriyaki! My other favorite is Tai Ho.
- Why should voters select you over your opponents?
I don’t have any personal agenda for running for city council other than it causes me great pain to see what the city allows to happen to its citizens, the environment, and small businesses. I believe we need to update city codes to align with King County codes. I want to see the city’s code enforcement dramatically improved. I’m not a “yes” man who will rubber stamp everything (including the city budget) that is handed to me. I won’t make decisions behind closed doors.
I have served as precinct committee officer in Kenmore since 2004. During this time, I have spoken with hundreds of Kenmore residents as I went door-to-door to deliver voting information. This has given me deep insight into the unhappiness that people have with the city council. They tell me that the city doesn’t listen to them or care about them, and sometimes they’re called troublemakers for trying to get assistance from the city. The only people I know who have gotten any movement on a problem from the city have been people who hired lawyers.
I’m committed to researching issues, listening to the community, and finding the best possible solutions.
Thanks for sharing with us, Diane. So far I have sent two requests to Laurie Sperry, Diane’s November opponent, but have not yet gotten any response. I will continue to send inquiries to Ms. Sperry, as well as all of the other City Council candidates that will be on the ballot this fall.
Tags: city council, Diane Brennan, election, Politics
