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
Resources to Help You Decide on Kenmore City Council Candidates
Posted by the Kenmore Crow | Filed under Politics | 2 Comments
Well, it’s the night before our mail-in ballots must be postmarked, and none of the three candidates for Kenmore City Council position #2 have responded to my questionnaire. This is quite unfortunate.
We will of course attempt to get a response out of the candidates that emerge victorious from the primary, but for now here is the entirety of resources available to help you make your decision:
- King County Local Voters Pamphlet
- KBIN Election Links
- Bothell Reporter July 28 Article
- Bothell Reporter August 10 Article
- Diane Brennan Campaign Website
- Laurie Sperry Campaign Website
Bob Black appears to have no campaign website.
If you don’t want to risk your ballot getting lost in the mail, there is also a convenient King County ballot drop box located outside the lower entrance to Third Place Books just down the street in Lake Forest Park.
Happy voting!
(Updated to add KBIN election links above. Thanks for the heads up, Bill!)
Tags: city council, election, Politics
Ask the City Council Candidates
Posted by the Kenmore Crow | Filed under Politics | 4 Comments
The following questions have been sent via email to Laurie Sperry, Dianne Brennen, and Bob Black, the three candidates running for Kenmore City Council position #2 (the only contested position in the current primary election).
Please limit all answers to 50 words or less, unless otherwise specified.
1) Why are you running for Kenmore City Council?
2) What will be your top priority should you be elected to this position?
3) What is your favorite thing about Kenmore?
4) What is your least favorite thing about Kenmore?
5) Arrange these nearby cities in order from your favorite to your
least favorite: Woodinville, Shoreline, Bothell, Kirkland, Brier.6) What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing Kenmore in the next 5 years?
7) What’s your favorite restaurant in Kenmore?
8) Why should voters select you over your opponents (200 words or less)?
When the candidates respond, their answers will be shared in full here.
Tags: city council, election, Politics
