Support for Mercer Island candidates | Letters

Lisa Anderl

I was delighted when Lisa Anderl was appointed to the Mercer Island City Council in 2018, I voted to retain Lisa in 2019, and I will vote for her again in this summer’s primary. For her principled leadership on the Council, her respect for the public, and her voting record that prioritizes public safety and good government Lisa has earned my vote. Review Lisa’s record. Over the last three years, Lisa has emphasized efficiency to balance the budget, yet sought to preserve or expand the service on Mercer Island that we all love. Watch Lisa on the City Council’s YouTube page. Lisa leverages her legal experience and attention to details with her passion for the city. Respect highlights Lisa’s interactions with other leaders and the public, yet Lisa is never ambiguous about the principles that guide her decisions. Lisa listens to community input and, refreshingly, lets you know what she believes and why. Join the many Islanders who will be voting for Lisa in this summer’s primary. Voting lasts from July 16th to August 3rd.

Ryan Rahlfs, Mercer Island

Lisa Anderl

“Lisa Anderl has been a breath of fresh air on the City Council. In Lisa we have someone who makes an extra effort to find balanced solutions that sincerely try to address the priorities and concerns of Island residents. Even some long-time critics of the City have told me how impressed they are with her intelligence, courage and fairness.

Council decisions are often not easy. There are many factors that have to be considered. Sometimes hard decisions have to be made. Council decisions can have long-term consequences for our Island. I don’t expect to agree with everything that is decided, but I need to feel that decisions are arrived at in an upfront manner and after careful thought.

I’ve found Lisa to be approachable and reasonable. I trust her to continue to do her best to make informed, transparent decisions that will help keep our Island strong.

I hope that you will seriously consider casting your vote for Lisa Anderl.”

Joy Matsuura, Mercer Island

Lisa Anderl

Vote for Lisa Anderl in August Primary!

I wholeheartedly support retaining Lisa Anderl in position #4 on The Mercer Island City Council. Lisa is a person of high integrity and rational sense. Embracing the fact that Mercer Island City Council positions are non-partisan, Lisa is neither beholden nor pressured to succumb to any “party”, ideology, special interest or label.

Lisa takes a practical and rational approach to derive win-win solutions to key issues. She listens, discusses and considers all sides of the situation and view points before moving forward. With Lisa’s ability and desire to consider all inputs and anticipate unintended consequence, she embodies a non-partisan approach and voting record.

We need council members who do the work and seek creative solutions to the opportunities we face – not a council member who will rubber-stamp whatever their political party directs them to do.

Lisa Anderl has proven that she has the skills, fortitude, and community values that we need. Remember to mail your ballot by November 5th – you do not even need a stamp! And please join me and all of our Island neighbors in voting for Lisa Anderl.

Lisa Anderl is the candidate for us!

Elaine Kavalok, Mercer Island

Salim Nice

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Together we have taken meaningful actions to preserve and improve public safety in our community – from holding Sound Transit accountable for a massive infrastructure burden without any safety plans to preserving our public spaces for their intended use – these efforts were only possible through the advocacy work of citizens AND through electing a City Council who are willing to take up these issues and create good policy for our kids, our neighborhoods & these public spaces. As such, we must ensure that we elect Councilmembers who will prioritize and elevate these important public safety policy discussions.

Council member Salim Nice has announced his re-election campaign for a 3rd term on the Mercer Island City Council, and M4SMI whole-heartedly supports his re-election. Here is why: During his tenure on the council, Salim has served as deputy mayor and has prioritized a wide breath of issues which align with M4SMI’s mission of keeping our community safe & inclusive for all residents.

Salim has been instrumental in maintaining and improving the family-friendly residential character of Mercer Island. The community we enjoy today did not just happen – it is the result of Councilmembers like Salim who have worked tirelessly to preserve what is important to Islanders.

To name just a few of Salim’s achievements on the council:

Salim garnered approval for ALPR technology for MIPD patrol cars and has worked against the tide to ensure Sound Transit’s accountability for best practices in Public Safety. Salim has pushed for increased safety protocols and increased police presence around the Transit Station and two new MIPD officers once light rail becomes operational, to help mitigate the impacts of Mercer Island becoming a major regional transit hub.

Salim has been integral in voting to maintain funding for Youth and Family Services during an unprecedented year of need in our community. He is a steadfast supporter of MIYFS school counselors, which is a top priority for M4SMI. The safety and mental health of our children and our schools – one of the most important public spaces in our community – is of utmost importance to M4SMI. Salim understands this essential need and supports the important operations of MIYFS.

From our schools, to parks & green spaces, to transit centers and sidewalks, Salim has worked tirelessly to protect these public spaces for their intended use. Most recently, Salim supported the adoption of Ordinance 21C-02 and voted to include funding for ARCH & Eastside Homeless Shelters.

When faced with regional pressures and outside influence, Salim remains a steadfast representative for our community by listening to his constituents, elevating those local voices and representing Island residents with ethics, knowledge and intention. We need this level-headed, data driven leadership on our Council.

Protecting the personal safety of Islanders is a priority for Salim. When the pandemic began, Salim was instrumental in protecting the health of our community by implementing Senior/High Risk shopping hours at local grocery stores. In March 2021, Salim joined other elected officials in speaking out against anti-Asian hate crimes and is committed to fighting racism, xenophobia and bigotry in whatever form they take. These actions reflect M4SMI’s values for a safe and inclusive community and we appreciate Salim’s ethical and compassionate approach to governance.

M4SMI supports the re-election of Councilmember Salim Nice, as do many current & former council members who have worked along side him, and we encourage you to do the same. His positions and actions are in line with our efforts and we need his leadership in our community now, more than ever. His re-election will ensure that Mercer Island remains a wonderful place to live for all residents.

Olivia Lippens and Ashley Hay, Mercer Island, cofounders, Moms 4 Safe MI (a grassroots advocacy group focused on preserving the safety, accessibility & inclusivity of our MI Public Spaces)

Kate Akyuz

Mercer Island would greatly benefit by having Kate Akyuz serve on our City Council for so many reasons, but having worked for an environmental firm for the past 13 years I’d like to focus on that aspect. She has led efforts in support of parklands, both in acquisitions and in environmental restoration, winning grants up to $5 million for these projects. Mercer Island should not pass up these opportunities just because we are a well-off community. Further, she has experience in forming and building on public-private partnerships such as with Green Seattle Partnership (which my firm also worked closely with), EarthCorps and other volunteer and youth programs. In my younger years I myself helped clean out invasives and replace them with natives on Mercer Island, which I’m sure many of you also did.

We should get Kate Akyuz on our Council based on the depth and breadth of her experience with local governments and with project management, but her commitment to the environment stands out to me. Please cast your vote on the August 3rd primary to make sure she advances to the November general election. Your vote will make a difference in our quality of life on Mercer Island.

Carole Branom, Mercer Island