MARYSVILLE – Elijah Olsen is running against incumbent Michael Stevens for City Council in the Nov. 7 general election.
Olsen did not return his questionnaire, but Stevens’ responses follow.
Name: Michael Stevens
Experience: Marysville City Council (2010-Present), Marysville Fire District director (2012-present), Marysville Economic Development and Government Affairs Committees. Licensed architect and principal at Dykeman Architects in Everett, former Marysville planning commissioner, Association of Washington Cities municipal leadership certification (2012) and advanced certification (2016). University of Pennsylvania – master of architecture and University of Kentucky – bachelor of architecture. Active local church leader/volunteer, former representative Puget Sound Regional Council Economic Development Board, Snohomish County Tomorrow Steering Committee.
How do you differ from your opponent? As a council member, and a planning commissioner before that, my focus has always been on making Marysville a great place to live, work and play. My priorities are:
Public Safety: I consistently support increases in patrol officers and have been active in seeking innovative ways to ensure a sustainable fire service. I am proactive in supporting efforts to give our first-responders the tools, resources and training necessary to keep them and our community safe. Responsible urban growth: Proper planning encourages growth that will be efficient, convenient and beautiful. Incorporating walking and bicycle pathways throughout the city and connecting to regional attractions are essential. Education: Providing a variety of opportunities for education at all levels is critical. Supporting our public school facilities gives back to our community in terms of competing regionally/statewide/nationally, increased property values, attracting diverse businesses, and providing flexible community gathering spaces, etc. Business-friendly: I believe over-regulation is a deterrent to attracting businesses. I support policies that reduce redundancy and government-imposed red-tape. I consistently support policy aimed at attracting business and development. Recreation and community events: Marysville has a reputation for exemplary community events and activity offerings, and this is one of the reasons people enjoy living here. I continue to support efforts to increase access to parks and development of new parks. I’m proud of the extensive offerings available to our community through the Park, Culture, and Recreation department. The recent addition of the Marysville Opera House as a venue, the Qwuloolt Waterfront Trail, and Bayview Trail are recent gems added to the city’s portfolio.
Why should people vote for you? I have a lot invested in ensuring the livability of our community’s future – this is where my wife and I have chosen to raise our five children. Efforts such as the Healthy Communities Program, our commitment to parks and public safety, events such as the Father-Daughter Dance, embody the heart of why we chose to raise our family here. During my tenure on the council, we have improved our downtown and waterfront access, developed a plan and secured funding to connect the city to Centennial Trail and established an effective street improvement plan that is bolstered by Transportation Benefit District funding. Additionally, Marysville will benefit from several key projects in the Connecting Washington Transportation package improving access to and from I-5. All of this is made possible by maintaining a healthy financial position which, not only provides a safety net of sorts, but also allows us to do more with each dollar by seeking matching grants.
