Only one city Council incumbent is being challenged this year in the general election, but Councilwoman Elizabeth Albertson is ready for the challenge from political newcomer Geoff Koepp.<\/p>\n
Albertson (who was first elected with the last name Watson before marrying while in office) is completing her first term on the City Council and is seeking re-election to her seat while Koepp, a financial planner, said he is running because he is looking for the opportunity to serve his city.<\/p>\n
In separate interviews last week, both candidates talked politics and offered their reasons why they would be the best choice for the city of Kent.<\/p>\n
In describing his decision to run, Koepp, 38, said he feels politicians at every level have been \u201casleep at the wheel\u201d and that he wants to \u201ccontribute in a meaningful way\u201d to the city he has called home since 2000.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I intended to contribute in some way,\u201d he said. \u201cFor me it\u2019s just a matter of serving.\u201d<\/p>\n
Koepp said he had nothing personal against Albertson, but decided that she was the longest tenured Councilmember up for election (Jamie Danielson is also running for re-election, but was appointed during the previous term and the other Council race is for a seat being vacated by Tim Clark). Koepp also said it was easier to plan against a \u201cknown entity\u201d than prepare for a race for an open seat.<\/p>\n
Koepp admitted he had no \u201cburning issue\u201d that led him to run and said his biggest concern is that the City Council is not an accurate representation of the city. He said none of the Councilmembers come from his neighborhood on West Hill, with most coming from East Hill.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow do we have them be more representative?\u201d he asked of the Council. \u201cI don\u2019t think we\u2019re doing a good job with that.\u201dCouncil<\/p>\n
Albertson, 47, said she ran for the Council four years ago because of concerns about the quality of construction and the lack of design standards for things such as decorative measures like trim and other visual standards in home construction.<\/p>\n
Albertson said she worked to pass new standards within two years.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was something that was brought to my attention by the voters,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Albertson also countered Koepp\u2019s statements on representation, saying the Council represents the whole city and a Councilmember\u2019s role is to look out for all constituents.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always easier than it looks,\u201d she said, adding that she listens to all sides, but relies on herself to make the tough decisions.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t make decisions by consensus,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Albertson said makes a point of being accessible and always listens to constituents.<\/p>\n
\u201cI may not always agree, but I will always listen with an open ear,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Albertson also said she ran because she wanted to work with Kent School District to make better connections between those in need and the resources the city already has, and noted she was proud of her work to open a community center at the former Sequoia Middle School off of Kent-Kangley Road.<\/p>\n
Now, she is focusing her attention on \u201cbudget, budget, budget,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe did everything we could to shore up the city early on,\u201d she said, adding, \u201cThe Council is going to have to take a much harder line on the budget with administration.\u201d<\/p>\n
Albertson added that she believes her four years\u2019 experience on the Council is more important this year than ever.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow are we going to keep essential services up and running and keep our commitment to our citizens on those essential services they rely on?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n
Koepp, a financial planner, said he felt his professional experience would be helpful at this time and said he would bring a \u201ccommonsense\u201d approach to the Council to try and diversify the city\u2019s tax base.<\/p>\n
He also said he would try to make the city more \u201cretail friendly\u201d to improve the current sales tax-heavy base.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy aren\u2019t we attracting more things that create sales tax?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n
Koepp said he also would like to see the city work better with developers and businesses in the permit process and would like to see lower utility taxes and a lower sales tax in general to encourage more shoppers to stay in Kent.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re taxed on a lot of stuff in this city just because we live here,\u201d he said, adding that it is a \u201cshame\u201d people shop elsewhere.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re actually sticking it to themselves,\u201d he said. \u201cBut it\u2019s the policy that is hosing them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both candidates referenced the past, when times were better, and said priorities have to change within the city.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis isn\u2019t 2007, where anything goes,\u201d Koepp said. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be tough. I don\u2019t have any misconceptions about the toughness of making these cuts.\u201d<\/p>\n
For her part, Albertson said she voted against the utility-tax increase and said the city will have to take a \u201charder line\u201d but admits layoffs will probably be coming in the near future.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve darn near cut everything else to the bone,\u201d she said. \u201cI mean, we\u2019re counting pencils.\u201d<\/p>\n
Albertson said the hardest part is that planning is at a near standstill right now, as developers are not necessarily lining up to build within the city.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The future<\/p>\n
As for plans for the future, Koepp said he would like to see more neighborhood Councils with more say over their neighborhoods because they know what is best for their section of the city.<\/p>\n
He also said he thought he was the best choice for the job because he was more relatable.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know I can actually hear them,\u201d he said. \u201cI don\u2019t have all the answers. I know our residents have really great solutions if we listen to them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Albertson described what she saw as a sharp distinction from her opponent, saying her time in Kent has given her a long-term understanding of the city and its neighborhoods, and noting her experience and leadership is what the city needs now.<\/p>\n
She also cited her work on fully staffing the police force, as well as her support of the ShoWare Center, which she said was too good a deal for the city to pass up.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have the leadership experience to work through the next four years\u2019 budget challenges,\u201d she said. \u201cI have the long-standing relationships with property owners, citizens, business owners, community and non-profit groups.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Ballots for the general election are scheduled to be mailed out today, Oct. 14. Ballots must be postmarked or returned to a ballot box by Nov. 3.<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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