Evan Smith: LFP GOV WATCH endorses Mary Jane Goss for mayor

By Evan Smith

ShorelineAreaNews Politics Writer

LFP GOV WATCH, which identifies itself as a Lake Forest Park non-partisan civic organization, announced in late June that it had endorsed Mary Jane Goss for mayor of Lake Forest Park in the 2011 City elections.

Goss, a former Lake Forest Park City councilwoman. is running in the August 16 primary against current City Councilman and Deputy Mayor Dwight Thompson, and Republican precinct committee officer Stan Lippmann, with the top two vote getters advancing to the November 8 general election.

In a news release, the organization said it had invited all three candidates to seek the LFP GOV WATCH endorsement but didn’t say whether Lippmann or Thompson had accepted the invitation.

The release did say that the Goss endorsement was unanimous in both the group’s endorsement committee and the group’s “full committee.”

The release noted that Goss served on the Lake Forest Park City Council from 1998 through 2005, and that she since has been active in community affairs, including the Shorecrest PTSA. The release also noted that she was one of the leaders of last year’s successful “NO on Prop 1” campaign.

The organization’s press release said that “Goss fully supports the LFP GOV WATCH platform and its mission,” adding, “She wants better prioritization of City funds. She opposes any increases in utility taxes and unwarranted property tax increases, and she opposes increased administrative expenses unless they are essential. She believes there is a definite need for increased efficiency in providing essential services.”

Finally, the group's press release said, Goss supports resident priorities, including public safety, expressed in a recent City survey, and that she is on record as supporting the need both for more involvement with neighborhoods and broader citizen input to the City Council.

“She suggests video-streaming Council meetings as one way to keep citizens better informed of City proposals and actions, the press release said

The press release said that LFP GOV WATCH supports all of these positions and urges a vote for Mary Jane Goss for mayor on the primary ballot.

LFP GOV WATCH describes itself as working for the benefit of all citizens of Lake Forest Park. “The committee is dedicated to ensuring that Lake Forest Park remains livable, affordable and sustainable,” adding that Its mission is “to encourage, support and promote a responsible and effective City government.”

The press release didn’t mention any areas of disagreement between the organization and the candidate.

Goss is not a member of the organization.