MARYSVILLE – Two relative newcomers are taking on incumbent Donna Wright in a race for City Council Position 2.

The primary election is Aug. 1, with Wright taking on teacher Jason Call and businessman Mark James. Ballots are in the mail. The top two will go on to the Nov. 7 general election.

Call has been a math teacher for 18 years. He has experience in both the Marysville and Washington education associations. He wants to serve kids and would have liked to run for the school district except he lives just outside its boundaries.

If elected he would work with the council and others to bring in an inpatient treatment center to deal with the opioid issue. He is for responsible growth, saying some of it has been “rampant.” He is environmental friendly, calling for “green” building codes. He buys local, including renewable energy solar panels. He supports attracting family wage jobs and filling empty storefronts. He favors tax breaks for small businesses rather than Boeing, which sends jobs elsewhere anyway.

James, who has been attending council meetings regularly for about a year, said he and his wife Renae are very involved in the community, at church, Rotary and Soroptimist. He was involved in a government roundtable, which got him interested in running. “I like to do things, not just talk,” he said. James said Marysville has an “A” team that he wants to be part of. He believes in term limits to bring in new ideas, and that’s why he’s running against Wright. “It’s time for a change.” A business owner for 13 years, he said he has the pulse on small businesses, and wants to help fix problems.

Wright has been on the council for 24 years. She has been in real estate here for 40 years. She said she pondered, “Is it time yet?” to retire, but decided there are too many issues she wants to see through.

She said her main issues are public safety, health and transportation. She is proud that the City Council has been able to build up reserves to buy items with cash to save money on interest. But she wants to keep working on more cops on the street, manufacturing jobs north of the city, train safety and the boards of health.

Call said he knows taxes are a hard sell, but they are necessary to make improvements. He said the sales tax already is too high at 9.1 percent. He called the state’s tax system regressive, adding a state income tax would be more fair. He added that those who make more should be taxed more. James said taxes are a sticky issues because people want services but don’t want to pay for them. He said a balanced approach is needed, as he knows some people are moving because they are being taxed out of Marysville. Wright said her voting on taxes has been mixed. The City Council has not taken the 1 percent allowed by law in any of the last seven years. Wright said a few times she did support it, but was outvoted. “I try to hold on to every dollar or penny,” she said. “I’m not quick to tax.”

James and Call said they want a Rural Fire Authority between Marysville, District 12 and Arlington because it would provide better service at lower costs. Wright said while she likes the concept Arlington has not shown much support for fire service in the past, plus negotiations with that town have been sluggish so far. So she is undecided.

As for the Manufacturing Industrial Center to the north, Wright said new businesses will receive a tax break. “We’re not collecting anything anyway,” she said. Call said he hopes developers use “green” technology, and James said new businesses must compensate to pay for fire and emergency services, along with road improvements.

Wright pointed out that developers over the years have paid for most roads with mitigation fees. She calls for the same to happen with the MIC. She also would encourage workers there to rideshare. James said he supports the city’s six-year traffic plan, which paves the way for that growth. Call said he would want the railroad to share in the burden for a fix.

All three agree that the city should pay its fair share to help the Snohomish Health District operate. Wright pointed out that sexually transmitted diseases are skyrocketing after the district closed its clinic due to funding shortages. To help the homeless and drug addicts she is supportive of the faith community and private sector, such as the recently opened Smokey Point Behavioral Clinic, to do the job without taxpayer help. Call said he believes in a compassionate government that makes it a health rather than police issue. He calls for low-income housing and resources. James said he supports what local police are doing, helping those who want help get help. Wright said she is excited about finally developing the waterfront, with retail and penthouses that were put in a plan 30 years ago.

James wants to develop the new city land south of the water into a market with small businesses, including breweries. “Marysville has an identity one week out of the year,” he said, refering to Strawberry Festival. “The other fifty-one weeks we need to be somebody.”

Call agreed the city needs an identity, adding State Avenue needs to be a focal point. He also said council districts are needed because there is no representation from the north part of the city. Finally, he said a sports complex is needed because there is not enough field space, so players are going elsewhere.

Jason Call

Experience: BA Political Science (UW ‘94); BA Education (College of Santa Fe ‘99); M.ED (UW ‘04). High school math teacher (18 years, including six with Marysville); WEA member, and executive board member of Marysville Education Association (‘12-‘14). Longtime peace/social justice/education activist. Involved in Democratic and Green Party politics since ‘03.

On what issues do you differ from your opponents? Taxation: I believe that those who can more easily afford it should bear a greater proportional share of the tax burden. This includes large business. I am supportive of tax incentives for small business. I believe in treating addiction as a community health issue, and only as a criminal issue in cases of violence. I support union labor and family wages, and while I support fiscal conservatism (not wasting taxpayer dollars), I look at long-term impact of the benefit of union wages and labor as opposed to a short-term impact of cost savings. In labor disputes, I would be more likely to side with labor than management.

Why should people vote for you rather than your opponents? I believe I bring a decidedly fresh perspective to the long-term growth of our city and the region. The City Council is stacked heavily conservative with Jeff Seibert being the only labor representative. My progressive positions will bring balance to the council as Marysville heads into the inevitable growth of the future, with a focus on environmental responsibility and increased opportunity for the working class to participate meaningfully in their community.

Mark James

Experience: Business owner at James Marketing, INC. DBA as Hometown Values Savings Magazine in Marysville since 2004. 1990-2004 Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist. Marysville Sunrise Rotary (president elect 2018); church leader/volunteer; Citizen Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteer; Cold Weather Homeless Shelter volunteer; volunteer and supporter of The Salvation Army and Soroptimists. Army Medical Technical Specialties 7 1/2 years; Georgetown University Medical Center (Ophthalmic Medical Technology Program/COMT).

On what issues do you differ from your opponents? Traffic: I like the six-year traffic plan. It looks very promising, however, as a councilman I will be reviewing the effectiveness periodically to ensure that the plan stays relevant. Safety Services: As a councilman I will be decisive in regard to the future funding and structure of our EMS, fire services (EMS levy &future RFA). Parks: Our waterfront area is in need of massive renovation to give our city a welcoming appearance. Economic Growth: The Manufacturing Industrial Center will hopefully be a centerpiece and “good” example of how to grow a healthy community without overtaxing the citizens. Taxes: I will look inward to the city before looking outward to the citizens in regard to taxes.

Why should people vote for you rather than your opponent? Local businessman. New and fresh perspective. I love my city and show it by being involved. I will make the city be more efficient and transparent, will promote policies that will keep our city safe, clean and vibrant, find solutions to issues of transportation, park improvements, the opioid epidemic and homelessness. I believe in team-building. The city can rely more on sales tax from visitors vs. property tax of citizens.

Donna Wright

Experience: Marysville City Council, two terms as mayor pro tem. Businesswoman. Has served and chaired many boards, commissions and committees as the local, county, state and national levels for business, church, school (Marysville and Everett Community College), service organizations and government, including the state Board of Health. Delegate to the White House Conference in business. On public safety committee, fire board, Snohomish Health District board, LEOFF I committee, Community Development for city and county, and PSRC Growth Management Policy Board.

On what issues do you differ from your opponents? I haven’t seen their positions on these important issues: My commitment to Marysville’s public safety and health issues; alleviating traffic congestion; support of park, recreation and culture programs, and protecting private property rights.

Why should people vote for you rather than your opponents? My experience, dedication and commitment to our community. I have received Advanced Municipal Leadership certificate from AWC, Soroptimist “Woman of Distinction,” Rotary Paul Harris Fellow, Realtor of the Year, Distinguished Alumnus 2012 from Eastmont High in Wenatchee. With husband Gary has lived here since 1968.