MARYSVILLE – Incumbent Jon Nehring and challenger Michael Patrick are running for mayor of Marysville.
The general election is Nov. 5. Ballots will be mailed to registered voters Oct. 18.
State residents 18 and older can register online by Oct. 28 at www.sos.wa.gov/elections/. Or you can register up to election day at the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office in Everett.
The following are Nehring’s and Patrick’s answers to questions sent out by The Marysville Globe.
Jon Nehring, 49
Employment:Marysville mayor
Education: Master’s Degree from St. Leo University; bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Central Washington University; associate’s degree in business from Everett Community College.
Why did you decide to run?: There are several initiatives around public safety, transportation improvements, parks and trails, downtown revitalization, overall quality of life, and other things that we have started during my tenure as mayor. The next four years will be critical to seeing these plans through. Experience: Before becoming mayor I was on the City Council, and I’ve been immersed in the community for over 26 years. I also have over 17 years of experience in the business world.
Top three issues:
•Public Safety: Proactively fighting drug crimes has been a top priority of mine. Our police department’s NITE Team is a leader in combatting drug dealers and dealing with drug houses. I am proud of our Embedded Social Worker program that combines a police officer and a social worker who work with those addicted to try to get them into treatment, then housing and finally gainful employment. We have gotten almost 100 individuals into inpatient treatment in just the first 16 months of this program. I am committed to continuing to work to bolster our successful programs.
•Relieving Traffic Congestion: I believe in working to build local, regional, state and federal partnerships to bring tax dollars sent out of our community back to Marysville. Our work in this area has resulted in over $150 million coming back here for major transportation projects. I have also worked with our City Council to plan and fund other important projects. I am committed to working to obtain more grants to finish projects and am also committed to the preservation of existing roadways.
•Downtown Revitalization: We need to be careful to preserve and enhance our hometown feel and cultural identity. We have laid the groundwork for revitalizing downtown by cleaning up contaminates on our waterfront, investing in First and Third streets to support local small businesses, and building our beautiful Ebey Waterfront Trail. The next phase will include additions to our waterfront park to include an amphitheater and other amenities. Additionally, I will work to see that our downtown becomes home to more local shops and eateries.
Why vote for you?: During my tenure as mayor, we have driven crime rates down over 20%, made progress in dealing with the drug and homeless epidemic, brought over $200 million in state and federal grants and investment into our community, laid the groundwork for revitalizing downtown, and increased our parks and trails significantly. We have paid down our debt, increased our reserves and lowered the interest we pay on debt, which saves tax dollars.
We have not raised the city portion of property taxes in years. I am committed to obtaining grants to continue working on ways over and around the railroad tracks, completing Olympic View Park and producing more water to keep rates low.
Michael Patrick, 64
Employment: Retired, 31+ years at Boeing
Education: Park College – Political Science and Economics. Certificate – Organizational Development from National Training Laboratories Institute. Certified Training for Group Facilitation as well as Leadership Coaching
Decision to run: I want Marysville to have choices and believe the Fresh Ideas for Marysville focuses on increasing the livability and prosperity for all residents.
Experience: At Boeing I held many positions in financial systems, production, human resources, project management, strategic planning, and a broad understanding of operations. Like Marysville, Boeing relies on many groups for success. Through these experiences I have gained the competence and character to be mayor.
Top three issues: •Drug-related crime, homelessness and misery: I support the Snohomish County Law Enforcement Embedded Social Worker program Marysville is
using. This program is helping addicts get clean, and restoring their abilities to navigate life. However, to actually stop the drug mess, I propose stopping the flow of money to the drug addict, which stops the flow of money to the drug dealer. When drugs are no longer profitable in Marysville, drug dealers will move on, significantly reducing the supply of drugs in Marysville and lowering crime.
•Outgrowing area hospitals: Marysville shares two hospitals with a total of 514 beds, serving over 250,000 people. In 2017 the Association of American Hospitals found our two hospitals to be 82% full on average. The area is definitely running out of hospital space. This conclusion would be proven by applying for a Certificate of Need. If the determination of need is yes, then I would lead the city in creating a “Proposition” to put before the voters, creating or joining a Hospital District that would have full authority over hospital operations.
•Loss of the historical identity of Marysville as a hometown coupled with losing locally owned small businesses: Growth is negatively impacting the image and lifestyle of Marysville. Based on several factors, Marysville will continue to grow leading to more sprawl. Big box stores and on-line retail are reducing the viability of hometown businesses. I propose renovating an area between State and Columbia, stretching from 4th to 80th, to create a community area for shopping, eating, visiting, playing and meeting, thereby preserving locally owned businesses.
Why vote for you?: I think Jon and I are creating an opportunity for voters to have a real say about Marysville. We both bring competence and character to the role. While we have some similarities about the everyday governing of Marysville, we have clear differences about the future of Marysville. I encourage voters to vote for the Marysville they want to live in. I’m hoping your choice will be Fresh Ideas for Marysville.
