Between now and November, every second week The Reporter will feature a question and answer session with each of the candidates for Issaquah City Council. Each candidate is given an equal amount of time, and space, to respond to a question regarding their city, the council, and matters of importance to Issaquah residents.

What is your assessment of the current relationship between the City Council and city residents? What, if any, specific actions would you advocate taking to improve the situation?

Mayor – unopposed

Ava Frisinger, incumbent and sole candidate, did not respond.

Position 1 – unopposed

Mark Mullet

Issaquah is blessed to have a community who takes an active interest in local issues.

When I’ve applied to be on Commissions for Issaquah there has often been eight candidates for two positions.

My hometown of Tukwila is lucky to have one candidate for two open positions.

The challenge facing Issaquah is to benefit from the current group of citizens who take an active interest in local issues, while adding new faces to the process.

My suggestion is the City should actively search out citizens who have no previous history of community involvement (the norm for many full-time working residents).

If you extend an invitation for these citizens to apply for a position on a Commission they will rise to the occasion and get more involved.

This will give the City a well rounded representation of residents when it comes to creating policies that will impact our town.

Position 3 – unopposed

Eileen Barber, incumbent and sole candidate, did not respond.

Position 5

Maureen McCarry

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” — Winston Churchill

I apply the wisdom of these words and respect the courage of citizens who care about our community.

When citizens speak, I am proud that our Council listens.

My positive assessment of the current relationship between our City Council and the residents was recently affirmed by the hundreds of e-mails we received praising us for listening and building two new all weather sports fields; the appreciation of the Chamber and the Downtown Association on Council’s action to eliminate payment of transportation fees on the first 10,000 sqaure feet; and jubilation of the neighbors that 40 acres of land expanding Squak Mountain State Park was purchased through our action.

My assessment says our Council is working for the citizens we represent and affirms my leadership as our Council’s President.

Joan Probala

I have learned during my campaign that very few voters know the current council members.

This is an issue that I would like to correct.

We all benefit when relationships are formed early so we can understand the problems facing our citizens and can find productive solutions for Issaquah.

I will be a council member who actively seeks out public opinion rather than sitting back and waiting for people to bring their problems and suggestions to the council.

I will seek opportunities to meet with citizens individually, or at their community or homeowners’ association meetings, to discuss their concerns and to listen to their suggestions.

The best ideas and recommendations often come from the community and I look forward to establishing a relationship with the citizens on a personal level.

Position 7

Tola Marts

In working on boundary reviews and levy packages for the Issaquah School District, I’ve learned how important clear communication is when making tough decisions.

I think the Council needs to do a better job in this area.

The city is facing deep budget cuts, and citizens need critical information. Other Eastside cities publish monthly or quarterly financial data, but Issaquah only offers annual reports!

To guard your tax dollars, I’ll expect timely financial information, and demand improved performance metrics for city activities.

I’ll lead corrective action in areas where we’re behind.

Communication from citizens to government is just as important.

Right now I’m organizing town hall meetings in each of our Issaquah neighborhoods to listen to residents’ concerns, and hope to hear from you.

Once elected, I’ll work hard to open doors and make it easier for those in our community to join in the process of making Issaquah better.

Nathan Perea

As I spend almost everyday in Issaquah conducting my business and talking to residents, I regularly hear questions such as: “What does the city council do?” and “Who are the current council members?” or “How many are there?”

From these direct conversations, I find that most residents have a very limited relationship with our city council and we must reverse this.

City governments often have more of a direct impact on people’s lives than at the State or Federal levels, yet many residents don’t know who represents them.

As a council member, I will work to change this. I will organize and attend town hall meetings and make myself available to meet with residents and their existing groups and organizations.

In addition, I will utilize modern methods of communication like social media and e-mail distributions for regular communication to our residents so that they feel connected to their city government.