Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of questions and answers with candidates who will appear on the Aug. 5 primary election ballot.
James Robert Deal
PO Box 2276
Lynnwood, WA 98036
425-771?1110
james@jamesdeal.com
Prefers: Democratic Party
YouTube Video: http://jamesrobertdeal.org/videos/
The candidate did not respond with direct answers to the questionnaire. Instead he submitted the following statement:
Experience:
I have spent my adult life studying the law. I have helped thousands of clients get out of legal trouble and avoid legal trouble. The work of a county executive involves many legal issues. Snohomish County needs a lawyer in the top position.
3 most important issues facing county:
The poor are paid less now than in 1968. I will push for an immediate increase in the minimum wage throughout the County to $10.69, which is what the minimum wage was worth then. Further increases should be phased in over seven years to allow businesses time to adapt. Businesses can adapt, however, the poor cannot. Businesses will not be harmed, because people will have more money to spend. I will push for a Snohomish county fiber optic Internet as Mount Vernon has done. High tech business need high speed internet to move massive amounts of data. It will be a business magnet. We should go slow on microwave “smart” meters, now being installed in Seattle. These belch out microwaves which are harmful if you are close to the meter. Smart meters report utility usage using cell phone technology and are a security hole into our privacy. I will pressure PUD to boycott power purchases from the Hanford nuclear reactor. It lies on a major fault. It is a disaster waiting to happen.
How will you address?
I will lead an effort to brand Snohomish County as the Organic County. Commercial growing of GMO crops should be banned along with commercial spraying of Roundup, 2-4-D, and similar poisons. Counties in Oregon and California have done this. Roundup is a systemic herbicide. When you eat GMO crops, you are eating Roundup, which ties up minerals necessary for health of plants and humans. Organic products sell for a higher price. Our farmers will prosper, and we will be healthier.
We should stop the spraying of Roundup on our streets and roads.
Coal burning here and in China is emitting carbon dioxide and releasing mercury. Coal trains are already passing through Snohomish County. Much of the route is along the Sound. Thousands of pounds of mercury-laden coal dust is and will be deposited along each mile of track each year, making fish too toxic to eat or sell. I will do everything I can to stop coal trains from travelling through Snohomish County. Other special issues I oppose adding dental chemicals to our water. This so-called fluoride contains lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and thallium. It leaches lead from plumbing in large quantities. It is the unfiltered scrubber liquor from the smoke stacks of phosphate fertilizer plants in Florida, Mexico, and China. It is filth. It interferes with enzymatic action and is most harmful to the growing fetus and children because their cells are still dividing. It lowers IQ. It increases miscarriages. It harms those with kidney and thyroid diseases and makes bones brittle. It transports aluminum past the brain barrier. There are better ways to prevent tooth decay. It has never been approved by federal agencies, which have been taken over by the industries they regulate. This is a chemical company fraud to sell toxic waste at a profit. It violates our right not to be medicated without our consent. It is medical quackery. It is contrary to numerous laws. See: www.JamesRobertDeal.org/SafeWater.
What is your perspective on the issue of climate change and what if anything do you think the county should be doing about this issue?
I will encourage a complete rethinking of how Community Transit functions. I favor extension of light rail to Everett. However, because transit center parking lots are max out early, light rail and freeway busses will be mixed successes unless we figure out how to get people to and from the transit centers. The solution is a hybrid or all-electric flex van system, which would operate like UberX, using smart phones and pagers, to bring riders to transit centers and take them home after work.
CT delivers bad service to those who do not own cars. Flex vans would pick these people up and take them to where they need to go. Vans would carry 4 to 10 riders and would be more economical that our local buses, which are often are mostly empty. More riders would use the freeway buses because more people would be able to get to and from transit centers. Thus, there would be fewer cars on the freeways and streets and less carbon emissions. See: www.JamesRobertDeal.org/transit.
Carolyn Eslick
PO Box 776
Sultan, WA 98294
425-327?2093
carolyneslick1@msn.com
Prefers: Republican Party
Background:
I have 13 years of experience as an elective official, six years a City Council and 6 ½ years as Mayor of the City of Sultan. Since 1979 I have been involved in many community organizations as a volunteer and leader, including Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce, Board Member of Volunteers of America, founder and board member of Sky Valley Community Resource Center, founder and board member of Sultan Food Bank and currently on the board of Boys and Girls Club of Snohomish County and Business Advisory member of the Everett Community College East County Campus.
Q: If elected, what is your top priority?
My top priority is consistent and collaborative leadership with emphasis on fiscal responsibility, criminal justice and encouraging more business both corporate and startups.
Q: What motivated you to run for this position? What do you want to see change?
Snohomish County is lacking consistent and strong leadership. We need to bring pride, prosperity and collaborative leadership back. I want to see less spending at the County level.
Q: How can people contact you if they want more information?
Website – www.eslick4exec.com
Email – carolyn@eslick4exec.com
Cell – 425-327-2093
John Lovick
2403 157th Pl. S.E.
Mill Creek, WA 98012
425-316?8586
johnlovick@frontier.com
Prefers: Democratic Party
Background:
I have served this nation and our community for over 44 years – in the United States Coast Guard, local government, as a career Washington State Patrol Trooper and as your Snohomish County Sheriff. I have dedicated my life to making our country and neighborhoods safe.
Q: If elected, what is your top priority?
As a 37 year resident of Snohomish County, I understand the challenges we face. As your Executive I have focused my efforts on building a bright future for this county; investing in safe schools for our children, a reliable transportation infrastructure that will support growth and creating the best economic environment to help produce jobs.
In addition to these critical investments I implemented an intern program bringing college students into our workplace, launched Safe Kids Improved Pathways creating safe and accessible routes to get our kids to and from school, initiated an energy and sustainability program, increased efforts to protect our environment and delivered a balanced budget without new taxes to our County Council.
I am committed to improving veterans’ services and supporting the more than 100,000 seniors living in our county.
Q: What motivated you to run for this position? What do you want to see change?
Last year, I was unanimously appointed to the position of Snohomish County Executive. I am running for re-election to fulfill my promise to the residents of Snohomish County: I will return respect, credibility and integrity to County government. I will deliver the services citizens should expect from a functioning government.
Q: Why do you think you are the best candidate for this position?
Experience matters. I have the experience needed to perform the duties of this job. My service at all levels of government, public safety and community involvement make me best suited to be the Executive of Snohomish County.
Q: How can people contact you if they want more information?
www.electjohnlovick.com