Meet the candidates for City Council in Normandy Park. There are three contested seats. Shawn McEvoy and Earnest Thompson are vying for Position 1, Susan West’s former seat.

West is running unopposed for Position 2, which is Mayor Pro Tem Mike Bishoff’s former seat. Bishoff is challenging Kathleen Waters for her current seat, Position 4.

Patrick McDonald and Kathleen Quong-Vermeire are competing for Position 6, vacated by councilmember Tom Munslow, and Sue-Ann Hohimer is running unopposed for Position 7.

Westside Seattle reached out to all of the candidates to answer a few questions via email for our article on the election. We wanted to share with you their full responses online, since we did not have room to run them all in print. 

SHAWN MCEVOY

My parents moved to Normandy Park in 1961 when I was 6 years old. I went to elementary school here and attended Sylvester Jr. High, Highline Highschool and the University of Washington. I've been around the world-to paradises - but for me, this is the best place in the world to live. There are friendly people, well read and educated, a great community, and a happening art and music scene in this region.  

 I have served as a Councilmember in Normandy Park for 14 years-5 years as Mayor. I did this because I felt I could make a difference and I have. Though elected to office, Councilmembers and the Mayor in Normandy Park are essentially volunteers. We are not paid; no health insurance, nothing. But the reward of accomplishing good things for the community and neighboring Cities is very gratifying for me. I've been pleased to work with many fine Councilmembers and Mayors of Burien, Des Moines,  and Sea-Tacoma, as well as,  many of the 39 cities that are in King County. I look forward to that opportunity again. 

 Personally,  I look forward to new friendships and working together to solve problems and accomplish goals of not only Normandy Park,  but Burien, Des Moines, and Sea-Tac too. If we work together in alliance we can accomplish much more than going it alone.

Sadly,  Normandy Park is woefully under staffed in our police force. While we have an excellent Chief and awesome officers, we are about 1/2 strength from our original 12 man force. Nevertheless, they are doing a good  job keeping our citizens safe from rampant violent crime and gang activities like those seen in other locals. 

Normandy Park has been at the forefront in the battle to keep the Port of Seattle/ Sea-Tac Airport from overwhelming our cities. We have challenged their environmental misdeeds and have been successful in seeing them, eventually, embrace their efforts to reduce and control pollution and even become a model for other airports in this regard. There is still much to do. Overflights of our neighborhoodsite are unnecessary and unacceptable, except in emergency. There are other concerns besides noise. Air pollution is just one of them.

Given Normandy Park's meager budget, our efforts to maintain and improve our sidewalks and streets have been successful . Our City Manager understands the importance of this and is doing a good job moving this forward. A lot of folks like to walk in Normandy Park and good safe sidewalks and walking routes are important . Well maintained roads are also important for our bicycle community . Let's face it, though not cheap, it's much better to maintain a road than have to replace it.

Normandy Park is, and always has been a ' bedroom community'. It was never intended to be a hub of Commerce like Tukwila,  Auburn, or Kent. In years past small cities like ours got along by sharing some of the sales tax revenues,  but the State legislature failed small cities like ours by letting this go away. Now we are told to "just increase your sales taxes revenues in your city ". It doesn't work. 

We have been very active in encouraging our local businesses to thrive and attract others as well. Our award winning Manhattan Area Sub-Plan (QFC area) is designed to give incentives to developing while protecting the desires of the community. 

The real challenge is the limited area where businesses can operate. Zoning efforts have allowed some opportunities,  but we simply do not have enough businesses to do the job. We could use some help.

I absolutely think it is essential that we address more,  better , and handicap accessable restrooms at City Hall Park. I understand the budget is tight, but where there is a will , there's a way. For example,  if the city can't afford it, maybe using our non-profit 'Friends of Normandy Park ' to help facilitate the effort could work. 

The major issue facing Normandy Park is our economic conundrum. The sales tax concept is not adequate. We now have to Levy ourselves every six years to make our ends meet. That coupled with levy support for district schools is onerous for many citizens,  many on fixed incomes.

I would like the City Council to focus on our future. Instead of just reacting, we need to better plan. Working with our sister cities will help us all develop better plans and enable us to speak together with a regional voice to implement them

EARNEST THOMPSON

I felt there was a lack of leadership on the council and too much bending over as regards the Port Of Seattle and pollution from Seatac Airport

What do you think qualifies your for this position? How are your unique skills a good match for the job? I have been on the Park Commission in the past . I am currently on the Planning Commission and I have been on the Budget Advisory Group as well. I have lived and works for about one third of my adult life in Europe and Asia and have been dealing with multiple cultures and ethnic groups for years. Those experiences give one perspective and an ability to really LISTEN to others.

What are the most important issues facing Normandy Park right now? How would you start to address them?

Answer: Airport pollution, Street Maintenance and Financial Stability

SeaTac Pollution

This is the elephant in the room! I have spoken extensively on this topic in the past and during this campaign. I strongly recommend that everyone who lives within a 12 mile radius of SeaTac airport read a book called “Over My Head” by Debi Wagner who is currently a Burien City Council member. Short of a multipage answer, suffice it to say that data shows that we have large increases in cancer , respiratory disease and skin maladies directly attributable to airplane pollution. The noise as bad as it is , is the canary in the mine shaft compared to the dangers of Volatile Active Compounds, (VOA), and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons,(PAH). As a career medical professional I concur with the data referenced in her book. I support Quiet Skies Puget Sound Organization in this regard.

Lets make it clear that the Port of Seattle, (POS), is not a friend of Normandy Park or any city in south King County. The POS is beholden only to massive corporations and the downtown Seattle financial elite. You won’t see endless pollution and noise producing flights over Medina or Mercer Island .

The mid and longer term answer to the Highway in the Sky dictat from corporate America and the FAA is bullet trains like Japan, Europe and China currently have. Also we need to be pushing for implementation of the coming Hyperloop transportation systems being developed in California that will start to be built within the next 5 years in various countries around the world. Why are we stuck with antiquated choo choo trains? We need to turn SeaTac Airport into Seatac Hyperloop or SeaTac Trainport. Obviously Normandy Park has no real influence on these events but we can at least be on record as supporting these improvements to our environment .

Code Enforcement & Inprovement

Then there are more local problems of why the city allows derelict buildings like the old Dairy Queen to continue to fester year after year. Road paving is an issue that needs to be further addressed. Sometimes there is a painful lack of code enforcement of regulations we already have on the books. What good are regulations if we don’t either have the staff or political will to enforce the laws ? At the end of the day , fiscal responsibility is paramount and we must continue to build our Reserve Fund so we don’t get caught out like the city was back in 2008.

Develop more business and economic activity in the city to ameliorate tax income. I have also been reading lately about how encouraging artists and public art leads to increasing investment of small business retail services, like coffee shops , restaurants , bakeries etc., as well as small high-tech business start ups . The best thing we can do might be to encourage these sort of artistic social and business community efforts and in the process demand the highest level of standards of construction for new buildings. In this way, we can as my slogan states: Protect & Improve Normandy Park.

Financial:

The Parks Commission should be more directly engaged with overseeing the financial budget of the M.P.D. They have the time and best in depth knowledge of our park system.

As for our spending tax dollars efficiently the city is currently running a budget surplus and we recently have seen the city bond rating improve from a single A+ to a double AA- . I was a member on the Budget Advisory Group during this improvement in our bond ratings. I have always found the finance department to be very forth coming when I have asked questions about finances and one can check all the financial documents on line at the city web site.

Why should voters choose you?

Answer: My opponent paints a picture of our city as in “trouble” or crisis . Well our country may be in crises but Normandy Park is not. We have an Ending Balance Fund of > $500,000 , with upward projections of 1 million .The last time we were in financial ”trouble” was after 2008 when my opponent was a member of the city council.

PATRICK MCDONALD

Why did you decide to run for the election?

As a husband, father, and longtime resident of Normandy Park, I believe it is important that our city remain at the forefront of being a safe and family friendly place to live. I am running for Normandy Park City Council, Position 6 as a fresh voice that will continue advocating for our values and culture, as well as push us to do more.

What do you think qualifies your for this position? How are your unique skills a good match for the job?

I spent 7 years in the financial planning industry with Northwestern Mutual, as both a wealth management advisor and Director of Development. I’ve spent the last 5 years with Merritt Hawkins, a healthcare consulting and recruiting company, as one of their Directors of Recruiting. I work with community hospitals consulting all types of C level executives and hospital board of directors.

In both of my positions, I have been responsible for leading large teams and work with some of the biggest healthcare organizations here in Washington state and across the country (Kaiser, Washington State Hospital Associations, Confluence Health).

My experience consulting with both executives and community appointed leaders, makes me uniquely qualified to collaborate with all citizens of Normandy Park.

What are the most important issues facing Normandy Park right now? How would you start to address them?

Maintaining a healthy police force in Normandy Park – we need to be fiscally responsible and continue to explore other areas of revenue that complement our current income sources and don’t rely on continued tax increases to fund our police.

Work on improving and maintaining our economic development in the main commercial centers in Normandy Park – I will take an active approach in making sure our existing businesses grow while attracting new economic opportunities. I would like to develop an organization similar to Discover Burien and work with the Normandy Park EDC to build on what they have already done.

Keep the existing culture of Normandy Park through well-funded parks and generous lot sizes – I will make sure we continue to keep laws and regulations in place that don’t impede on our residential rights.

Why should voters choose you?

While fiscally responsible, I am a strong proponent of maintaining a healthy police force, supporting beautiful and well-funded parks, and will work to improve the economic development in the main commercial centers in Normandy Park.

KATHLEEN QUONG-VERMEIRE 

Why did you decide to run for the election?

As long as I live in Normandy Park I will work hard to give back to my Community and be a part of Normandy Park’s growth.  Most recently I have served on the Normandy Park Budget Advisory Group and the Facilities Planning Task Force.

What do you think qualifies you for this position? How are your unique skills a good match for this job?  

I have worked successfully with many groups in the community service, serving for 12 years as a Normandy Park City Councilmember, Mayor of Normandy Park and presently as a Commissioner for Highlinewater District.

The skills, experience and confidence which I can bring forward would be of great value for Normandy Park making sure healthy discussions take place leading to the decisions that affect all.

What are the most important issues facing Normandy Park now?  How would you address them?

Normandy Park needs to be involved in preparing and educating all their residents for all emergencies.  We can start by offering emergency training classes like, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)  and HAM radio operators. Maintain a stable and balance budget.  I will serve as a member of the Budget Committee.

Why should voters choose you?

I will listen to all sides of the issue before making any decisions.  I’m committed to keeping Normandy Park a place we can all call home.

MIKE BISHOFF

Why did you decide to run for the election?

I am currently on the Normandy Park Council as the Mayor ProTem, Chair of the Finance Committee and member of the Public Safety Committee and have been involved in many activities during my tenure that advance the causes of the City’s financial health and concerns for public safety. My primary interests in running for re-election are to continue to advance unfinished business regarding the development of plain language city budgets and financial transparency. While the city has nothing to hide, we have historically done a poor job explaining city budgets and finances. My goal here is to build a broad base of financial knowledge that will allow our neighbors to be fully informed and constantly aware of where our city stands and to make sure our tax dollars are spent as efficiently as possible.

As important, I am a very vocal advocate for the support our Normandy Park Police Department and believe our community policing culture is a very strong fit for us. I believe public safety is as critical an issue as the City’s financial health and is a community defining service. Our police are long time employees that get to know our kids and neighbors, not cops-in-cars that we see in some other communities. My interest in running for re-election is to continue to provide clear and sustained support for public safety concerns and to work with our neighbor cities to find more ways to support each other. I am currently representing the Mayor in the Mayor’s Circle forum that includes Normandy Park, Burien, Des Moines and SeaTac and advance common public safety and emergency preparedness interests.

What do you think qualifies your for this position? How are your unique skills a good match for the job?

During my career as an IT expert, I am routinely expected to provide both strategic and tactical feedback to company executives and I believe those skills solidly align to advance Normandy Park’s interests. Our current council does a good job managing the short term but in many ways struggles to define the long term and I believe I have the skills to provide the necessary long term vision to make sure out city has a solid plan for the future.

In line with my interests to bring a clear financial picture to our neighbors, I have been working in accounting and financial area for 25+ years and know what it takes to convert complex government budgets and finances to easily understood statements. This is particularly important as we continue to manage through Eyman era budget constraints.

What are the most important issues facing Normandy Park right now? How would you start to address them?

The foundation of any city is its financial health which in turn allows us to provide all the great services we expect from great parks and public spaces, safe neighborhoods and sound infrastructure. Top of mind for me is to assure we have clear and sustainable financial policies so we can manage through the economic dips without a crisis and provide a constant flow of the City’s financial health to our neighbors.

Safe neighborhoods are always a concern as well and I will continue to advocate budgets that provide our police department with full staffing and good equipment.

Why should voters choose you?

I am highly qualified to represent the citizens of Normandy Park regarding the financial health of the city. I’ve been on the Finance Committee the entire duration of my tenure and currently manage the short and long term agendas as the Finance Committee Chair. During my tenure I worked with the current and former finance directors to implement long term financial policies and assured we now have a law that requires a formal strategic “rainy day” fund that assure we manage through the dips that previously forced police and employee layoffs. Likewise, I have pushed for and implemented citizen advisory groups and participation that continue to drive toward more financial transparency. If elected, I will continue to focus on additional improvements the City needs to assure strong financial health.

The Normandy Park Police Officer’s Guild endorsed me which I believe is a strong testament to my interest in assuring safe neighborhoods. The police guild has never endorsed a candidate as long as anyone can remember and uniquely positions me continue my advocacy for the greatness of our police department. I believe our community policing culture is one of our defining characteristics and I will be Normandy Park’s public safety advocate!

KATHLEEN WATERS 

Why did you decide to run for re-election? Is this different that when you first ran for office?

had no experience as a council member when I ran the first time. This time I have four years of experience. Some of the reasons I’m running for re-election:

I’ve contributed to policy decisions

Involved resident volunteers in important city matters,

Recruited people who are motivated to make the city run better,

Helped shape the recovery of our city from a financial crisis.

What do you think qualifies you for this position? How are your unique skills a good match for the job?

I tackle tough issues and advance differing opinions among colleagues to come to a collaborative decision.

I use personal research, discussions with neighbors and colleagues and information available from staff and government agencies such as the Washington Association of Cities, the Municipal Resource Service Center and others to do due deliberation.

I use research, discussion, cooperation, collaboration to make city council work successful. Risk taking is also useful to step up and speak out and this is part of my regular way of doing business.

What are the most important issues facing Normandy Park right now? How would you start to address them?

· Financial sustainability

· Street repair and replacement program

· Up-zoning on First Avenue to increase tax revenue for the city

I have already started. The city is in much better financial condition than it was when I started on the council. As Chairman of the Finance Committee 2014 – 2017 I was rigorous in taking steps to stabilize our finances and determine if any expenditures could be reduced. During my term, except for myself, no one has come forward with any new ways to increase revenue. My challenger tabled a new discussion of B & O taxes when he took over the chairmanship of the Finance committee this past summer. He wanted it held until after this election.

I have three ideas: Short term: discuss and decide on B & O taxes to determine if we should tax businesses that generate a healthy income. Exempt small businesses but discuss B & O taxes with owners whose businesses generate over, for example, $200,000 - $250,000 a year in gross taxable income.

In a long range plan we could work out the numbers to determine if annexation of Burien property on the east side of First Avenue is feasible. Normandy Park could zone developed or undeveloped land there to light industrial/office complexes and thereby increase our revenue significantly. Wouldn’t it be better to increase our revenue while controlling the optics and operation of what gets developed across First Avenue south from us? Links to the light rail are right around the corner which will expand access to and from the Angle Lake Station - Normandy Park is part of the pilot program. Let’s get ahead of new development in Burien across First Avenue.

It is estimated by a study in ’15 that to keep our streets as they are costs $300,000 a year. To repair and replace them on a steady, funded basis requires $500,000 a year. Right now, we are short of the $300,000 needed to maintain the status quo. I’d like to see proactive work by other council members and residents to work with me to generate conversations with key people, i.e., business owners that have large gross taxable income, to discuss options such as B & O, annexation and whatever ideas anyone may have.

Why should voters choose you?

leadership with no reliance on popularity or saying what seems to be needed to get elected. I have a track record of accomplishment, commitment and forbearance on the city council.