Outspoken anti-annexation critic Bob Edgar has announced that he will campaign in the general election for the seat now occupied by Burien City Councilman Gordon Shaw and will serve if elected.

Edgar attempted unsuccessfully to withdraw from the primary election ballot and did not campaign. However, he outpolled Shaw in the primary with about 45 percent of the vote. Shaw received about 40 percent. Newcomer Joey Martinez trailed behind Edgar and Shaw and was eliminated from the November general election ballot.
Since the surprising primary results, the biggest question in Burien political circles was what would Edgar do. Until Friday morning, Sept. 2, Edgar had not commented publicly.

Here is Edgar's statement:

Thank you for your vote! The citizens of Burien have spoken and it is clear that Burien residents want a change on the Burien Council.

On August 31, 2011, King County Elections certified the results of the August 2011 Primary. I, Bob Edgar, received the most number of votes. Under Washington State Law, I am and always have been a candidate for Position #4 of the Burien City Council. Due to some family matters that occurred at the time of filing, I decided to withdraw from the election but it was past the deadline and not an option under Washington State Law. Therefore, I decided not to campaign at that time. These specific family matters have resolved earlier than expected and the people of Burien have sent a strong message seeking change.

My name, Bob Edgar, will appear on the November, 2011 General Election ballot for Burien Council Position # 4 since I was among the top two candidates with the most votes. I have also been in contact with the Public Disclosure Commission, my paperwork is in order and there have been no ethical improprieties in my candidacy. I want to thank all of the citizens that voted for me and hope for their continued support in the November election.

If elected in November, I intend to serve as a full-time council member for Burien Council Position # 4 to achieve these goals for Burien: a safe place to live, a vibrant city with a small town flavor and a sustainable community that supports Burien families and businesses for the long-term, a city where citizen and neighborhood voices are listened to with respect and reflected in city government decisions. Burien needs to focus on getting it fiscal house in order.

The City Council needs fresh ideas and a new perspective on the economic challenges facing our city, and as your representative, I will question the implications of any further annexations. With many years of business experience, I stand for open, honest, responsive government, sound fiscal management and robust economic development for Burien.

I am a champion for preserving and protecting Burien's environment, shorelines and neighborhoods and for representing citizens' concerns. As a Burien resident for over 20 years, I am proud of my work preserving the Salmon Creek Green Belt and Seahurst Park; Board Member-Shorewood on the Sound Community and Sustainable Burien; Member-Neighbors Of Seahurst Park; Committee Member-Salmon Creek Neighborhood Plan.

Thank you for your vote and your continued support.

Bob Edgar
http://www.electbob4burien.org/