John Smiley runs for Kirkland City Council; Mary-Alyce Burleigh bows out
UPDATED
John Smiley, current Kirkland Park Board member serving in his first year, signaled his intention to run for Kirkland City Council by filing with the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) on May 15th.
In related news, the Kirkland Reporter has a story on outgoing Councilmember Mary-Alyce Burleigh, who after serving two terms on the Kirkland City Council, will not seek re-election.
This morning, Penny Sweet, candidate for City Council for an undeclared seat made the following statement to Kirkland Views:
“Initially it was my hope to be able to serve on the Council with Mary-Alyce, and now I feel it is my charge to be a part of a Council that is run with the integrity, dignity and leadership Mary-Alyce Burleigh has provided for the last eight years.”
Now that Councilmember Burleigh has decided not to run for re-election, Penny Sweet will run for her seat, Kirkland City Council Position 03.
John Smiley, formerly the Rooms Division Manager for the Heathman Hotel in Kirkland, currently is working as Controller at the Sorrento Hotel in Seattle. Previously, Smiley was the Controller at the Heathman Hotel in Portland.
Originally from New Orleans, Smiley found his way to the Northwest after Hurricane Katrina decimated the city and his home. An opportunity to work at the Heathman Hotel in Portland arose and he took it. Shortly afterward, Smiley moved to the Seattle area to help prepare for the opening the Kirkland Heathman Hotel. A resident of the Juanita Neighborhood, Smiley grew to love his adopted hometown of Kirkland immediately. Saying hello to neighbors and shopkeepers while walking the streets of downtown, watching a baseball game at Peter Kirk Park, and the “small town USA feel” are all reasons he gave for what makes Kirkland so special to him.
The turmoil surrounding the aftermath of New Orleans aroused a desire to get involved to make government run better. Smiley’s accounting background also gives him a strong sense of fiscal responsibility. Says Smiley, “we have to run government like a business.”
Press Release from the Friends of John Smiley campaign:
May 20, 2009
For Immediate Release:
Contact: john@smileyforkirkland.com
Phone: 504-258-6556
John Smiley Announces Candidacy for Kirkland City Council position #7
John Smiley has announced his intention to run for the Kirkland City Council, position number 7 currently held by incumbent Tom Hodgson.
Originally from New Orleans, he lost everything during Hurricane Katrina and felt he needed a change. John found his way to Kirkland by accepting a position as Rooms Division Manager for the Heathman Hotel, which at the time was under construction. John immediately fell in love with Kirkland and its community, regularly attended city council meetings and decided he could make a difference.
John has over 20 years experience in finance, working with both large and small businesses. “During these tough economic times, Kirkland citizens deserve leadership willing to make tough decisions that may not be immediately popular.” Says Smiley. “If elected, I will be dedicated to ensuring the needs of today are balanced against the demands of tomorrow.”
John describes himself as pro-business, reasonable development, annexation, parks and above all fiscal responsibility and leadership. He feels that small but vocal special interest groups who are passionate about their causes are an important part of the decision making process - but that their voices shouldn’t be the only part. His desire is keep the charm and sense of community within Kirkland, while recognizing the need to grow with the times, and remain competitive with surrounding cities when attracting new business. John has a strong desire to work regionally with other cities on issues related to the Eastside as a whole instead of operating as an “island.” He feels that Downtown is the jewel of Kirkland, inspiring tourism and a sense of pride among its citizens, and he will work to bring back it’s vitality by working with the businesses and property owners to achieve this goal.
John Smiley is currently the controller for the Sorrento Hotel in downtown Seattle. He is currently serving on the Kirkland Parks Board and is a member of the Kirkland Downtown Association.
Website: SmileyforKirkland.com
Email: john@smileyforKirkland.com
Facebook: Elect John Smiley for Kirkland
Twitter: @Smiley4Kirkland
Smiley has declared the Council seat he is targeting: seat number 7, currently held by Councilmember Tom Hodgson. His campaign is getting underway and is run by campaign manager, Julie Metteer.
As the June 5th filing date draws near, the race for the Kirkland City Council stands as follows:
- Mayor James Lauinger – Position 05
- Deputy Mayor Joan McBride – Position 01
- John Smiley – Position 07
- Penny Sweet – Position 03
- Amy Walen – undeclared position
Councilmember Tom Hodgson has yet to announce his intentions for the November election.
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Posted by Rob Butcher on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 6:55 am
Filed under Elections · Tagged with City Council, Elections
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As an example of what a public servant should be, people need not look any further than Mary-Alyce Burleigh. A committed and civil voice for the community, Mary-Alyce worked tirelessly behind the scenes to create coalitions and break deadlocks.
There was never anything resembling ‘time off’ for Mary-Alyce. Olympia, Seattle, Kirkland, the PAA and far flung locations of meetings, retreats and seminars – nothing was too far for Mary-Alyce to attend if her attendance would improve our community.
The Eastside Sun didn’t always agree with her stance on issues but I can say with total certainty, we never doubted her heartfelt belief in her stand.
A teacher of repute, a councilwoman of substance and a mayor of bearing and honor. Mary-Alyce Burleigh has served her community well and tried to pass on her knowledge to students – both in the classroom and on the council.
We’d say we will miss her voice, but that voice will doubtless be heard in many forums in the coming years.
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What John said.
Mary Alyce has given so much to this community. What I appreciate most is that she has always tried so hard to do the right thing. I hope that she continues on the Sound Transit Board and in the other regional organizations where she has represented us.
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Liberal liability lineup
So far all the candidates running for Kirkland Council have indicated their desire to serve government, not citizens.
Annexation will cause Kirkland citizens receive reduced services for which they will pay more for less yet each candidate said they are for annexation. Annexation will add millions to Kirkland’s debt yet each candidate says they are fiscally responsible.
Position 1: Councilmember McBride takes our money only to give it away to her charities. She believes all government services are essential including funding of 501(c)(3) activities that are not a function of government. Her priorities have cost us millions, money we could have given to our charities. Her desire to fund non-essential government services has been costly to many who would prefer the money used for essential services. She thrives on the redistribution of resources. Several candidates have indicated they will continue the practice of usurping our interest.
Position 3: Much has been said about the accomplishments of non-candidate Mary-Alyce Burleigh. She was effective caring the banner for socialism. Socialism jeopardized our ability to take care of our families and ourselves. She did not promote one of the primary functions of government that being to protect individual rights and freedoms. The regional issues she promoted have been at the expense of the responsible citizens of Kirkland. She helped force upon us paying enormous subsidies for services that are of little benefit to the citizens of Kirkland. Her regional efforts added to our tax burdens. Sales tax has risen to 9.5%, 10% in restaurants. She carried the banner of government regional governance at expense of local representation. She used to put neighborhood associations first even before city functions, not now. If Ms. Sweet or other candidates follow in her footsteps, expect government to suppress individual rights and freedoms, and greater tax burdens, money we need to support ourselves.
Positions 5 & 7: If Councilmember Hodgson decides to run (Position 7), his stance on issues varies about as much as the Mayor Lauinger (Position 5). First they voted against annexation. Then they ignored the citizens of Kirkland by voting for it even though they knew it would cause us to pay more for less services. Their positions on downtown development waffled and almost triggered lawsuits. They are unreliable at best in serving the citizens of Kirkland. Candidate John Smiley for Position 7 may not be much better given his liberal views and short time in Kirkland.
Ms. Amy has yet to decide whom to run against. Who ever he or she might be, the citizens will still be faced with a liberal liability lineup.
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What do you mean exactly that Joan McBride “takes our money only to give it away to her charities.?” I thought that city funds were not in the hands of individual council members. What are her “favorite charities?” What are your favorite charities? What do you consider “non-essential government service?” Parks? Roads? Sidewalks?
As for Ms. Burleigh’s socialism — does she advocate city ownership of the means of production? I detect in the above opinion of yours, and in your past rants, that you have social conscience confused with socialism.
It comes down to the fact that you don’t like anyone on the council, running for the council, or, even, not running for the council. Your own record of being soundly trounced twice for a council position shows that your stands on the main issues of the day were not well received. What specific platform issues and solutions will you put forth this time?
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JiminKirkland:
You are correct that I was soundly trounced twice for a council position. I didn’t propose government solutions as an alternative for personal responsibility.
My social issues stem from my parents who taught me to support myself, my family, to help others, and not become a burden on society. What would society look like if everyone did what I was taught? There would be far more assets, fewer liabilities, and less need for government.
There are essential government services and non-essential services. To tax people for something they don’t want, need, or should be responsible for is wrong. Your comments indicate you have never seen a government program you didn’t like.
I believe Benjamin Franklin when he said, “When the people find they can vote themselves money, that will be the end of the republic.” There are far too many unwarranted entitlement programs initiated by politicians buying votes.
Speaking of responsibility, many others and I have been responsible and have identified our selves. You have not. Jiminkirkland doesn’t hack it. May be you should run for office.
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Mr. Style,
You still avoid saying exactly which services you consider non-essential. Just what services are included in those “they don’t want, need, or should be responsible for”? Also, you say that if we all did what you were taught that “There would be far more assets, fewer liabilities, and less need for government” and I wonder where you got that from. Do you have some data sources that are secret from the rest of us?
Yes, it would be nice to believe that without government leadership (and even occasion intervention) private individuals and maybe even corporations would take the lead and help those less fortunate (or even in a disaster situation) but it just doesn’t work that way (except in Ayn Rand novels).
Sorry that you disapprove of using a “screen name” Mr. Style but that’s a completely acceptable way of commenting in this type of forum.
And, as for my running for office –this gets to the heart of the issue I have with you. You seem to be mad at everything and neither like nor trust the system or the people in elective or hired positions. I don’t agree with lots of the folks in office (and certainly not all of the time) and yet I do try to understand the adage “different strokes for different folks.” In fact, I usually trust the elected officials to act, in the aggregate, in the best interests of Kirkland, even if that “good faith” is diametrically opposed to me personally. Further, the next election is always just around the corner and the next test of support is on the horizon. You see, even if you ran for office and won (a highly unlikely event), you’d be my councilman and I would expect that you’d act in the best interests of the entire citizenry.
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Jiminkirkland:
The problem with the existing Council is they do not act in the best interest of the entire citizenry. They want to expand power and control at the expense of the citizenry. The annexation issue is a prime example.
Our constitution was written to prevent corruption by limiting powers of government. Too bad it was not extended to the states.
As far as reading novels, you would be better off reading about history.
Government leadership has proven to be less effective and wasteful at the expense of the populous. Our leadership buys votes, votes that promise someone else will help pay for benefits and irresponsible decisions. Politicians thrive on poverty and their ability to transfer funds from those who earn it to those who don’t.
You are correct in identifying my conservative views. I don’t trust any elected official that has the power to take rather than ask. I support volunteers and charitable organization that rely on contributions.
You continue to harp on what services I consider to be non-essential. They are non-essential for a reason. The services provided do not warrant the justification for taxing the entire population to satisfy special interest. Parks are an essential service because without government, there would be no parks. That being said, those who use parks should pay for parks. Everyone uses police and fire services. Transportation to and from home is essential. Mass transit is not for everyone.
I will not run for election again because it would require me to lower my standards. . I do not propose government solutions as an alternative for personal responsibility.
Politicians are just one step below used car salesmen. They do what ever it takes to get elected and then precede to raid the public’s pocketbook thereby reducing our ability to take care of our selves and our families. It’s too bad you don’t have the same values.
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Gotta give that round to Jiminkirkland, Bob. This is a time to let Mary-Alyce know her service was appreciated – not continue to pile on. Re: John Smiley: Long hair does not a liberal make (Ted Nuggent) nor does short hair make someone competant (John Gilday).
Please feel free to continue making clear arguments for what you believe in, a lot of it makes sense. But keep an open mind for arguments from the other side.
I was firmly against annexation until I received a letter from a resident of The PAA asking why The City of Kirkland should be allowed to annex the income producing areas (auto row, Totem Lake, South Juanita) long ago and leave the residential areas in unincorporated King County.
A promise was made to come back later and annex the residential areas and it’s time to live up to that promise OR give them back their commercial districts (everything north of NE 116th) so that they can be a viable city without being part of Kirkland.
Wanna save money? Fire the head and half the Planning Department. Not a hell of a lot of things for them to do in this economic climate and they just keep getting The City tied up in new lawsuits.
Do we REALLY need an Urban Arborist? How about we tear up the trees that are destroying our sidewalks and properly plant new, varied trees in proper root-containing boxes (underground). BINGO, no more trip and fall lawsuits, no more being the laughingstock of the entire Eastside for having sidewalks that look like Beirut’s. that will give the Parks Department something to do other than rip flowers out of the center of Central Way just to replant new flowers.
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Damn it Bob, you had me until the very last sentence.
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