Candidates for State Senator, Question 1 What are your 32nd district connections?

The Senate seat is open, due to the retirement of Senator Darlene Fairley. Below are the responses from the three 32nd District Senatorial candidates to our first question:

1• what are your connections to the 32nd district?  Where and how would you get your information about what is important to your district?

Patty Butler

I have lived in Shoreline for 55 years.  My father was a King County Police Officer and my mother was a Shoreline School teacher.  I am the product of the Shoreline School System from kindergarten to College.  I have owned a small business here.  I own my home here and raised my 3 sons here.  Presently two of my sons and my sister and her family live in the 32nd district.  All have attended and graduated from the Shoreline School district.  I serve on the Board of Directors for Banchero Friends Services and our clients live here. I subscribe to the Shoreline Area Newsletter.  I keep in touch with the Mayor of Shoreline (he is a friend), I have friends throughout the district and we regularly communicate. The 32nd District is my home.

Maralyn Chase

My family has lived in the 32nd Legislative District since 1990, and on Puget Sound since 1960.   My mother, daughter, grandson and I are active participants in the political, cultural and civic life of our community.   I am a board member of the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce, an ardent supporter of the Shoreline Community College, St. Edward Park, Fircrest, Paramount Park, Ballinger Gardens, the Shoreline Historical Museum and Denny Creek Park Chili!  I find the newsletters and neighborhood associations to be especially helpful in knowing the pulse of our district.

I was elected to represent the views and values of all the people of the 32nd.  To do that requires creating opportunities for “authentic dialogue,” and deep, respectful listening to the people of the community.  I gain important knowledge of the issues of importance to my constituents from that listening.  I also like the blogs and the internet.

David Baker

I’m currently Mayor of Kenmore and have served on the Kenmore City Council since 2004.  I moved to this area in 1989.  My wife and I have raised a family here, and I have been involved in the district’s community, government, and charitable activities.  My business, Visions Systems Engineering, has its office in Kenmore.  I have served on a number of regional groups, including the Suburban Cities Board of Directors, the King County Hazardous Waste Committee, and the King County Regional Transportation Committee.  I also work very closely with the Councils of Lake Forest Park, Shoreline, and Edmonds on a number of regional committees, and I hope to cultivate a close working relationship with Woodway.  I am involved with various community organizations, and I am on the board of Directors of the Friends of Fircrest.  I also am a member of the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce and actively promote their activities.  This affords me the opportunity to be kept current on what is important to the district.