LFP GOV WATCH issues dual endorsement for John Wright and Ben Gonzalez O’Brien

LFP Gov Watch, a Lake Forest Park nonpartisan civic organization, is pleased to announce that it has endorsed both John Wright and Ben Gonzalez O’Brien for Lake Forest Park City Council, Position 3, in the 2017 General Election.

All candidates for City Council were invited to seek the Gov Watch endorsement. Wright and Gonzalez O’Brien received endorsement from the organization following extensive interviews with its Endorsement Committee.

The LFP City Council has committed itself to several ambitious goals that include meeting the challenge of creating a subarea plan to accommodate ST3 transportation issues, while toeing the line of fiscal responsibility.

Both candidates offer our citizens the necessary experience and qualifications to help move Lake Forest Park through the significant challenges the City faces, both in the immediate future and beyond.

The differences between Gonzalez O’Brien and Wright offer positive advantages to LFP voters. Both candidates are excellent communicators, and both are knowledgeable about the fiscal challenges facing the City in order to fund the ambitious projects now underway.

John Wright, the incumbent, has a history of independent viewpoints and clarity in testimony during Council deliberation. He has lived in LFP for 21 years, serving on the LFP City Council since 2010. He has worked for King County for 30 years as resident engineer for Metro Transit. Wright has served on many regional forums and committees, as well as the LFP Legacy Task Force.

Wright’s platform emphasizes independence while maintaining a collegial relationship with his colleagues. He is proud to have represented the citizens as the only Councilmember to vote no on the 2010 Prop 1 tax levy.

Ben Gonzalez O’Brien, Professor of Political Science at Highline College, cites his background in American politics. He has honed communication skills over many years of teaching and will increase the diversity of experience on the Council. He has been an effective citizen advocate in Council chambers for recent issues, including Five Acre Woods.

Gonzalez O’Brien espouses communication and transparency as his major objective, and if elected, has pledged to provide office hours as well as more community forums. He is committed to helping create an affordable housing plan in LFP as well as protecting our unique natural environment.

Be sure to vote in the General Election November 7. Ballots will be mailed to registered voters on October 18.

LFP Gov Watch is a non-partisan group of LFP residents who are working for the benefit of all the citizens of Lake Forest Park. Since its inception in 2010, Gov Watch has focused on issues related to our City’s governance, with emphasis on accountability to our residents, transparency, fiscal responsibility, and effective processes. Our emphasis on effective communication resulted last year in establishing an annual award for LFP “Communicator of the Year.” As part of our ongoing review of the City’s budget, we delivered a full budget analysis to the Council during consideration of the 2017–18 Biennial Budget.

--Myra Gamburg, Chair, LFP Gov Watch