While most new city council members have to sway thousands of minds to earn a seat at City Hall, candidates took advantage the opportunity to only have to persuade six councilors Tuesday.
Nine applicants interviewed with the council for former member Maureen McCarry’s spot. She stepped down in January after being diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease.
The winner gets a short 10 months at the council’s table, and an easier path to reelection in November. The council vote is scheduled for Monday.
The number of applicants and quality of the interviews, which took the form of short speeches, left the council encouraged.
“It was a very uplifting evening to hear the enthusiasm for our city,” said councilor John Traeger.
Member Mark Mullet agreed.
“No matter who gets the seat, Issaquah is going to be well represented,” he said.
Most applicants spoke in altruistic terms, stepping up to help the city in the sad news of McCarry’s departure.
Former council member Joe Forkner, who topped the list as the most experienced applicant, applied simply to make himself available to the council.
However, they could be interested in a variety of qualifications, he said. “The council gets to decide what’s important to them.”
For member Joshua Schaer, it was about honoring McCarry’s approach with someone who was willing to even seek guidance from her, he said.
That idea jibed well with applicant Nathan Perea, who challenged Tola Marts in the 2009 election.
McCarry was persistent, seeing through projects to the end. Perea would carry that into the position, he said.
The position could also go to an outside perspective.
Some applicants came with a short Issaquah history and few touted it more than Navy reserve officer Michael Beard.
“I offer a clean slate,” said the year-and-a-half resident.
It could also be a chance to raise up new blood, like Stacy Goodman, the former editor and reporter at the Issaquah Press for nine years.
She’s now a lawyer at a small Issaquah-based firm.
“I just really enjoy being involved at this level in the city,” she said.
Meet the candidates
Joe Forkner is a former city of Issaquah council member and the chair of the Central Issaquah Plan. He’s been involved in multiple city committees, the Issaquah chamber and the Downtown Issaquah Association.
An engineering technician at Encompass Engineering and Surveying, he’s been a resident for 18 years. Most of his career involves working for cities in various roles, and he spent seven years working for the city of Issaquah.
Stacy Goodman has been a lawyer at the small Issaquah-based firm Carson & Noel for three years, and was an editor and reporter at the Issaquah Press for nine years.
She’s served on multiple boards including the city parks, the food and clothing bank and the historical society. Her application came with several letters of recommendation.
Nathan Perea was named the 2010-2011 “King of Issaquah.” Growing up in the city, he returned four years ago to raise his children.
He serves on the planning policy and urban village development commissions, both known to be training ground for council members. He’s also deeply involved with the Issaquah chamber.
Christina Mehling is a litigation lawyer with her own practice, Mehling Law Firm, in Bellevue. For three years she’s counseled Fife and Black Diamond city councils in executive sessions, specifically on employment disputes.
Growing up in Romania and first immigrating to Texas, she’s now lived in Issaquah five years.
Nina Milligan is a manager for Law Seminars International and former marketing director. A resident for six years she’s been a part of a few committees, including Issaquah Highlands development, and Highlands government affairs.
She’s also a proficient public speaker, and provides private education for Washington winemakers through Meet Me in the Cellar.
Erik Olson spent most of his career heavily involved in working for major airlines. He now works at Boeing.
A resident for a year and a half, he’s also a member of the Issaquah Alps Trails Club.
Mary Lou Pauly is a 17-year Issaquah resident and has participated in the development commission since 1994.
She comes with professional experience with environmental consulting.
Paul Winterstein is a five-year resident whose worked in the aerospace and software industry for 26 years.
He currently serves on the human services commission and Issaquah Meals Program.
Michael Beard is a district manager for a facilities maintenance company, Divisions Inc., and a former U.S. Navy officer and aviator. He now serves in the Navy reserve. He’s been an Issaquah resident for a year and a half.
