This is the second part of Chantelle Lusebrink's continuing series in the North Seattle Herald-Outlook that introduces the North End candidates in this year's elections.
Away from the construction-ridden roads and tucked in among the intertwining residential streets of Shoreline is the campaign headquarters and residence of current Metropolitan King County Councilmember Carolyn Edmonds.
With the exception of several campaign signs that decorate the front lawn, the split-level home looks similar to numerous others that line the street.
Despite its pleasantly ordinary exterior, inside you can find Edmonds dashing from one room to another, relentlessly preparing for her reelection race as the summer campaign season comes to a close.
Familiar territory
Running in the new King County District 1, which was formed through the council-reduction initiative passed last fall, Edmonds faces another incumbent and current councilmember, Bob Ferguson, for the elected seat.
District 1 encompasses territory, however, that is very familiar to Edmonds, as she makes her way around the area doorbelling in the summer heat. Almost 70 percent of the new district includes the cities of Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Bothell, Kenmore, she said, as well as areas of Woodinville, each of which she has served for the last four years.
However, District 1 also includes many smaller North Seattle neighborhoods above Northeast 75th Street, such as Maple Leaf and Wedgwood, which had previously been in the Ferguson's jurisdiction. He was elected to the council in 2003.
"In terms of working with Carolyn and having a campaign against her, it doesn't bother me," Ferguson said in a previous interview. "I look forward to giving people in Lake Forest Park and Shoreline a choice. I think they will be attracted to the type of representation that I give to my part of the district."
More direct participation
Considering herself to be the quintessential soccer mom, Edmonds took her first steps into public life through the PTA, as well as with the Shoreline Historical Museum.
After completing her master's degree in public administration at the University of Washington, Edmonds was elected to represent the 32nd District in the state Legislature in 1998.
Despite her successes at the Legislature advocating for senior citizens' health-care issues, Edmonds found that playing the role of the "weekend mom" to her two growing children was becoming increasingly unsatisfying.
Longing to play a more active role in her eldest daughter Eleanor's and youngest son Marc's activities as they entered high school, Carolyn decided to run for the King County Council as a representative for District 1 in 2001. The move, according to Ed-monds, enabled her participate and create policies in her district, as well as use her legislative skills on regional county issues at the state level.
Helping communities
During her last four years representing her constituents on the county council, Edmonds helped the Shoreline and Bothell communities obtain property to preserve open spaces and provide additional recreational parks.
For the city of Kenmore, she aided in the purchase of a park-and-ride for the city's master plan.
Additionally, in Lake City, Edmonds helped provide funding to support the North Helpline Food Bank, which provides food, health, literacy and Head Start educational services to local North End families in need.
"Carolyn and her staff have actually shown up on their Saturday to pass out food at our bank," said Rita Anderson, executive director of the North Helpline Food Bank. "She has taken tours and has done a lot to recognize our need and to understand the need for this service. She sees the big picture."
However, for the region as a whole, Edmonds says her largest accomplishment was helping to save the King County parks department. Upon her election, Edmonds went to work in partnership with the executive's office to propose the transfer of certain park and aquatics facilities to various other private or government entities to reduce debt.
"That was very painful," Ed-monds said. "But we kept the parks we could intact, and they have actually flourished because [the move] let them do activities they were previously restricted from doing, like having concerts and movies in the park."
The agenda
Looking to the future, Edmonds has already requested to become a part of the Sound Transit committee for the next term.
"Phase Two of the planning for Sound Transit," Edmonds explained, "is how to get from Northgate north. So that is going to be affecting the North End residents dramatically, and many up here feel that we haven't gotten our fair share during the first phase. They need strong leadership."
Seeing the need for representation with regard to transportation issues, Edmonds also hopes to advocate for a transportation system that will allow commuters the flexibility of one pass, which can be used throughout the various systems such as light rail, monorail, the bus service and even the ferry service.
She also intends to push for a system that will allow commuters seamless transitions to and from the various services by linking transportations hubs, like those proposed for Northgate, and their schedules.
Another issue that Edmonds holds at the forefront of her campaign is public health. To address this, Edmonds has championed for an independent audit of the public-health system.
She also has helped lead recent symposiums together with public-health officials, city planners and school officials to combat the growing threat of obesity in King County.
Building partnerships
If elected next term, Edmonds maintains that she will continue to provide her constituents with the same quality of representation she has provided.
"I know how to build partnerships and that enables me to work with my constituents and appreciate their cooperation," Edmonds said. "I will continue to attend the meetings where groups and neighbors get together and talk about certain issues. I will respond to individuals."
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