Issaquah City Councilmember Mariah Bettise has announced her decision to run for election for her current seat on the council, Position 2.
Bettise was appointed by a unanimous vote of the council in May 2016 to fill a vacant seat. She is now running to finish the remaining two years of the term.
“I’ve been lucky to call Issaquah home for the last 17 years,” Bettise said. “I look forward to continuing to engage with community members, council, administration and regional partners on Issaquah priorities. Many of the critical issues impacting our community, including traffic, balanced growth, workforce housing, meeting human services needs and environmental protection continues to require strong leadership.”
During the Council appointment process, Bettise focused on an overall framework of a healthy Issaquah.
“For me, that vision of a healthy, safe community, where everyone’s needs are being met and we can live, work, play, raise families and enjoy our beautiful outdoors, has not changed,” Bettise said. “Now more than ever, we need strategic, solution-oriented leadership, focused on issues across our City and the region.”
Bettise described the range of issues impacting the city now and in the future as incredibly broad. It is imperative to always prioritize and plan strategically, but also to not lose focus of the full city landscape, she said.
“I will continue to be a determined advocate for Issaquah’s best interests, engaging to listen and understand the needs of our community members,” Bettise stated.
Bettise served on the Council Land and Shore Committee last year, helping shape city policy surrounding local and regional traffic, pace of growth, transportation, housing and city zoning. Bettise this year serves on the Council Safety and Services Committee and looks forward to tackling a broad range of policy issues, including human services, safety, and sustainability.
A strong believer in civic engagement and volunteering, Bettise proposed an annual volunteer celebration to thank those serving on local boards and commissions for dedicating their time to the betterment of Issaquah.
Bettise also serves the City regionally. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for both the Economic Development Council of Seattle & King County and the Eastside Human Services Forum, representing the Sound Cities Association (SCA.) She serves on the SCA Public Issues Committee and represents SCA on the King County Conservation District Committee.
Prior to being appointed to the Council, Bettise served three years on the Issaquah Economic Vitality Commission and as Chair of Issaquah’s Human Services Commission. Bettise also has volunteered in Community Outreach through the PTSA, and serves as an Advisory Board member for both the University of Washington and Lake Washington Institute of Technology’s Human Resources Management Certificate programs.
Bettise has lived in the Foothills of Issaquah neighborhood for 17 years, where she raised two children who attended Issaquah schools. She received her degree in Public Administration from the University of Montana and has owned and managed a consulting business in Issaquah since 2000.
