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.
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.
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.
In describing his decision to run, Koepp, 38, said he feels politicians at every level have been “asleep at the wheel” and that he wants to “contribute in a meaningful way” to the city he has called home since 2000.
“I think I intended to contribute in some way,” he said. “For me it’s just a matter of serving.”
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 “known entity” than prepare for a race for an open seat.
Koepp admitted he had no “burning issue” 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.
“How do we have them be more representative?” he asked of the Council. “I don’t think we’re doing a good job with that.”Council
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.
Albertson said she worked to pass new standards within two years.
“It was something that was brought to my attention by the voters,” she said.
Albertson also countered Koepp’s statements on representation, saying the Council represents the whole city and a Councilmember’s role is to look out for all constituents.
“It’s always easier than it looks,” she said, adding that she listens to all sides, but relies on herself to make the tough decisions.
“I don’t make decisions by consensus,” she said.
Albertson said makes a point of being accessible and always listens to constituents.
“I may not always agree, but I will always listen with an open ear,” she said.
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.
Now, she is focusing her attention on “budget, budget, budget,” she said.
“We did everything we could to shore up the city early on,” she said, adding, “The Council is going to have to take a much harder line on the budget with administration.”
Albertson added that she believes her four years’ experience on the Council is more important this year than ever.
“How are we going to keep essential services up and running and keep our commitment to our citizens on those essential services they rely on?” she asked.
Koepp, a financial planner, said he felt his professional experience would be helpful at this time and said he would bring a “commonsense” approach to the Council to try and diversify the city’s tax base.
He also said he would try to make the city more “retail friendly” to improve the current sales tax-heavy base.
“Why aren’t we attracting more things that create sales tax?” he asked.
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.
“We’re taxed on a lot of stuff in this city just because we live here,” he said, adding that it is a “shame” people shop elsewhere.
“They’re actually sticking it to themselves,” he said. “But it’s the policy that is hosing them.”
Both candidates referenced the past, when times were better, and said priorities have to change within the city.
“This isn’t 2007, where anything goes,” Koepp said. “It’s going to be tough. I don’t have any misconceptions about the toughness of making these cuts.”
For her part, Albertson said she voted against the utility-tax increase and said the city will have to take a “harder line” but admits layoffs will probably be coming in the near future.
“We’ve darn near cut everything else to the bone,” she said. “I mean, we’re counting pencils.”
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.
The future
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.
He also said he thought he was the best choice for the job because he was more relatable.
“I know I can actually hear them,” he said. “I don’t have all the answers. I know our residents have really great solutions if we listen to them.”
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.
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.
“I have the leadership experience to work through the next four years’ budget challenges,” she said. “I have the long-standing relationships with property owners, citizens, business owners, community and non-profit groups.”
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.
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