City Council Districting

I support districting and I am committed to putting it on the ballot in 2018, if elected as your Mayor. At the July 31st Everett City Council Meeting, I voted “Yes” to create a Citizens’ Districting Commission. I believe that this is the best way to ensure that Everett residents have a say in how districting is structured and how the boundaries are drawn.

Our citizens deserve a local government that represents their interests and understands their concerns. The Council, as well as City of Everett personnel, should reflect the diversity of our city, both in geography as well as other factors such as ethnicity, gender, and socio-economic status.

I commend the citizens involved in Everett Districts Now for their work in developing a ballot proposal. Although the petition failed to collect enough signatures to qualify for the ballot, this is clearly an important issue for many citizens and, if done right, can have some real benefits.

While I have concerns with the drawing of the boundary lines in the Everett Districts Now proposal, such as the division of the Casino Road area into multiple districts and the Delta Neighborhood being be lumped together with the more affluent Northwest Neighborhood, my biggest concern is about the process. An open and transparent public process that allows for citizen input and feedback on all aspects of districting is critical. That is what I voted for on July 31st, and that is what I commit to if elected Mayor. I will ensure that whatever plan the Citizens’ Commission puts forward, Everett residents have their chance to vote for City Council Districts.