Issue statements from Shoreline Council candidates Cafferty and Scully

By Evan Smith

Shoreline City Council candidates Jessica Cafferty and Keith Scully recently sent statements about what each thinks are the most important issue or issues in this year’s Shoreline election.

The two will meet on the November 3 general-election ballot for the position that Councilman Chris Eggen is giving up.

Here are Cafferty’s and Scully’s statements:

Shoreline City Council Position No. 2

Keith Scully

I’ve knocked on doors throughout Shoreline and had thousands of conversations about what we can do better. The themes are consistent: Shoreline residents are concerned about growth and preserving our neighborhoods. They’re opposed to Point Wells. They want to make sure we’re doing everything possible to combat property crime. They want sidewalks and safe road crossings, but also are concerned that we have one of the highest tax rates in the state and don’t want to see taxes go higher. And they’re united in wanting to make sure that tax dollars are spent wisely — focusing on basic services like streets, sidewalks, parks, and schools.

I’ve taken the time to listen. My experience as chair of the planning commission, as a lawyer with almost two decades of legal experience, as a former prosecutor, and as a parent helps me understand how we can best respond. We need to go slowly and carefully on growth. We need to implement common-sense measures like making sure transition zones are always across a street, so no house is ever right next to a towering apartment building. We should do everything possible to reduce the impacts of Point Wells, including considering tolling and insisting that Snohomish County require a second access point. We need to keep our taxes low, and focus the budget on basics like sidewalks. And we need to keep enough police on the street and upgrade our neighborhood watch programs to make sure we do everything possible to combat crime.

Jessica Cafferty

It’s an exciting time to live in Shoreline, and a critical time for our Council to lead with integrity, vision and a commitment to our community. There are several issues I will focus on if elected.

My top priority is to work on issues of social and economic equity so that everyone in Shoreline has the opportunity to thrive.

I will also focus on planning for expansion of light rail in Shoreline. This brings both opportunities and challenges. I will work to support strong local and regional mass transit, and the infrastructure and development necessary to make it successful and efficient. I have been very consistent in my support of transit-oriented development and the need for thoughtful, pragmatic planning and growth that meets the needs of both current and future residents.

Finally, as Shoreline grows, we need to focus on community building and livability. Prioritizing affordable and diverse housing options, mixed-use developments near transit hubs, and access to services, will help protect many single-family neighborhoods and build walkable communities with strong local businesses that will boost our local economy.

With our region experiencing significant population growth right now, we don’t have time to waste in planning for how we will best accommodate new residents in a way that is safe, affordable and builds an equitable community. I’m honored to be working alongside my neighbors to protect what we love about Shoreline and work toward a shared vision to make sure our community continues to be a great place to live.