Four Redmond incumbents — Mayor John Marchione and City Council members Hank Myers, Hank Margeson and David Carson — have all filed to run for re-election in the Nov. 3 general election. Current council member Tom Flynn will step down when his term expires on Dec. 31, like the others, and has endorsed Angela Birney for his position.
MARCHIONE
Marchione, who has seen the city grow and change since his family moved there in 1969, will be running for his third term of mayor.
Under Mayor Marchione, the city extended Bear Creek Parkway, 161st and 164th streets to make a more complete street grid in downtown. These were the first new roads built in Redmond in more than a decade. He next wants the city to complete work on Redmond Way so they can turn the one-way street into a two-way road.
In his first term as mayor, Marchione implemented a new, transparent Budgeting by Priorities (BP) process and raised the city’s bond rating to AAA (Standard and Poor’s).
“The city is more efficient now. Working with the City Council, we have reduced the cost of government from a record high of over 6 percent in 2007 to a record low of under 5 percent in 2015,” Marchione said in a press release. The cost of government reflects the percent of income residents pay in taxes for city services. He added that last year more than 1,400 people provided feedback during the budget process to establish the city’s funding priorities.
“I am honored to serve the people and businesses who call Redmond home. I look forward to continuing the city’s efforts to build a vibrant community with many choices for living, working, investing and playing together,” said Marchione, adding that he envisions a Redmond for all generations, where people can easily get to work, church, shopping or recreation; where all citizens feel safe and protected; and a city that offers plenty of quality parks and open space for people of all ages to play hard or simply enjoy the open space.
Marchione has spent 30 years in local government, working in such diverse areas as finance, economic development, public works and water issues.
MYERS
Myers (Position No. 1) is a 40-year Redmond resident, small business owner and charity advocate.
A diverse group of supporters — from business leaders to nonprofit organizations — endorse Myers, reflecting his work in Redmond to promote responsible tax policy and regulation, reduced traffic and his caring voice in support of community organizations.
“What makes Redmond great is the way we combine the innovative spirit of business with a sense of community and caring,” said Myers in a press release. “To have leaders in business and local nonprofits supporting my re-election means a great deal and it reflects my efforts to keep the tax burden on families and businesses down while lifting up those who are in need.”
In addition to serving on the Redmond City Council, he also represents the city’s salmon recovery efforts on the local watershed council and served on several transportation advisory groups.
“Working with business and nonprofits demonstrates that in many ways they both need the same thing — the freedom and encouragement to solve the problems in the way that works for those they serve. That is the spirit I bring to the council — the recognition that solutions come from the community to City Hall if we listen,” said Myers.
Myers used his successful business background to improve the finances of Eastside Friends of Seniors as director and help guide Redmond’s Together Center into more direct client services, despite the challenges of the economic downturn.
MARGESON
Margeson (Position No. 3) said the foremost reason why he’s running for re-election is to help finish what council has started by committing to the BP process.
“We are in rare air having completed eight years using this process. With each BP cycle, we learn new lessons and make the process better,” he said in an email. “I want to continue to help lead that effort as we practice strong fiscal responsibility while delivering a level of service that meets and exceeds our residents’ expectations.”
He notes that while watching downtown Redmond transform amid some growing pains, the future is promising. He wants to work regionally to ensure that council’s efforts are rewarded with increased transportation investments.
“At the same time, Overlake is just beginning to see change and it will be crucial for the council to look for opportunities to enhance that development with balanced cultural, recreational and education opportunities,” he said.
Another reason why Margeson wants to remain on council is to continue to offer pragmatic leadership in the region on the Sound Cities Association’s Public Issues Committee, Puget Sound Regional Council’s Growth Management Planning Board and King County’s Regional Policy Committee.
As an Education Hill resident, he also wants to ensure that Redmond’s neighborhoods “remain friendly, connected, welcoming to a new generation and a safe place to raise a family or walk your dog.”
CARSON
By running for re-election, Carson (Position No. 7) wants to continue to be involved with the momentum the mayor and council have generated both on Redmond-centric issues and having a significant presence on regional committees and with their representatives serving them in Olympia.
“It’s not enough to be satisfied with our accomplishments and there is much left to be done,” he said in an email.
Two recreational opportunities that have been added to the city are the new Downtown Park and the Redmond Central Connector, which Carson said will become key amenities for downtown residents and create gathering places for residents.
“The connections to existing trail systems have also made these noticeably easier to access,” Carson said.
One of Carson’s ongoing goals is making housing more affordable by reducing the governmental burden of residential development where possible and without sacrificing safety or appropriateness.
“I often hear from friends and co-workers that Redmond’s housing prices are too expensive for them, but I look forward to the day where we have an appropriate size and type of housing for all of those who are drawn to the economic benefits of Redmond’s incredible employment market,” he said. “By building innovative housing and reducing the time it takes to permit and build projects, it’s possible to accommodate singles, couples and any size family of nearly every budget level.
He added that a desirable place to live like Redmond is always going to drive price, but increasing the availability of housing “can certainly keep prices from going stratospheric.”
BIRNEY
Birney (running for Position No. 5) currently serves as the chair of the City of Redmond’s Parks and Trails Commission and is a community representative on the Lake Washington School District Middle School Science Adoption Committee.
On the Parks and Trails Commission, Birney actively participated in the planning and review process for the city’s biennial budget and provided input throughout the evolution of the Downtown Park and Redmond Recreation Center master plans.
“I will be a fresh voice representing our community,” Birney said in a press release. “Redmond is experiencing unprecedented growth and development. As a 17-year resident, I understand what makes Redmond a unique and desirable place to live, work and play. As we continue to grow, it is important to balance urban development with enhancements to our thriving local neighborhoods. From making innovative transportation solutions to developing our neighborhood parks, it will be important to find ways to engage residents of Redmond in long-range planning.”
Birney is a former middle school science teacher who holds a master’s degree in education from Heritage University and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Eastern Washington University.
