Woodinville Mayor and City Councilmember Kick Off Reelection Campaigns

Woodinville Mayor Bernie Talmas and Councilmember Susan Boundy-Sanders kicked off their reelection campaigns with the support of newly chosen on Sunday, April 7 at the Sammamish Valley Grange.

Talmas and Boundy-Sanders listed accomplishments during their first term on the Council: downtown zoning changes; preservation of agricultural land in the Sammamish River Valley; the Phoenix v. Woodinville win in the Washington Supreme Court that gives Woodinville more control over its growth; and the transition of Woodinville's recreational programs to the YMCA, which has saved the city budget and has resulted in more programs and more participants in recreational programs.

Dembowski put the Woodinville issues into the context of regional planning. He praised Talmas and Boundy-Sanders for the credibility they have brought to Woodinville because of their strong performance on regional committees. He also described his efforts on projects that have effects across the King-Snohomish County boundary, such as Wellington Park.

The kickoff drew nearly 60 local stakeholders. Numerous regional leaders also attended, including Kenmore Mayor David Baker, Kirkland City Councilmember Dave Asher, past Bothell Mayor Paul Cowles, past Woodinville Deputy Mayor Hank Stecker, King County Landmarks Commissioner Phyllis Keller, Sound Cities Association Executive Director Deanna Dawson, and Washington Conservation Voters King County Program Manager Jesseca Brand.

Boundy-Sanders said she believes the success of the kickoff bodes well for this year's elections.

"We scheduled an early kickoff because we see how many high-stakes issues are coming up in the next few years," she said in a news release. "We thought our task would be to start energizing our supporters, but they are already fired up. It was great to see the high level of awareness among Woodinville voters about how important the November elections will be."