Graham Smith is the best candidate for the at large position on the Arlington City Council. Hes served Arlington well for six years and has the experience we need; hes served on several Council committees, including Finance and Government Operations, Public Works and Airport and as chairman of the Utilities and Public Safety Committees. With 30 years in the financial industry, he has the knowledge and skills to make responsible financial decisions for our city.
While working diligently to understand thoroughly the issues facing our community, both short and long term, and to make the best decisions possible, he also works well with the rest of the Council in a cohesive manner.
Graham understands that many Arlington residents, while interested in matters that affect us, have schedules that preclude our attendance at Council meetings and never hesitates to give his time to those of us who ask questions outside of Council meetings. I frequently ask questions via email, and Graham always responds quickly; he is one of only three of the seven Council members who does so consistently.
Significantly, Graham is Arlingtons only representative on the Snohomish County Community Transit Board, comprised of nine members throughout all of Snohomish County (two from the County Council and seven from various cities) which is currently trying to located a new Park and Ride in Arlington. Contrary to what the Herald reported, Graham Smith is not neutral on Community Transits effort to put a new Park and Ride here; he supports the idea, but opposes the location currently proposed at Smokey Point between Safeway and the Post Office. As Arlington residents know, Smokey Point is a traffic nightmare, especially during the major commuter morning and evening hours the time that traffic would be entering and leaving a Park and Ride. Graham favors finding a different location, with less impact on local residents who must drive in, about and through Smokey Point. Retaining Graham Smith on Arlingtons City Council is the only way to ensure that Arlington has a vote on the location of the proposed Park & Ride.
Arlington residents need Graham Smiths energy, knowledge, experience and ability to work with others to make decisions in the best interests of Arlington citizens; please re-elect Graham Smith to the Arlington City Council.
Eyleen McCluskey Shouman
Arlington