Mercer Island City Councimember Debbie Bertlin has announced her intent to run for re-election to the Mercer Island City Council, Position 7.

She is the first to announce her intent to run again. In addition to Pos. 7, there are four more Council seats open this fall.

Mayor Bruce Bassett, Councilmember Jane Meyer Brahm and recently appointed Councilmember Joel Wachs are up for re-election, but haven’t formally announced any plans.

Councilmember Mike Cero has already said that he will not run again this fall, leaving a vacant seat on the Council.

Bertlin is finishing her first term on the Council, and said she is “hitting her stride.”

“It’s been an honor to serve these past 3-plus years. In 2011 I committed to bringing a new collaborative tone to Council and increased rigor in planning for the needs of residents of all generations,” Bertlin wrote in a press release. “In the next four years, I will use my understanding of Island issues and willingness to engage the community and regional leaders to advance the Island’s agenda, including preventing I-90 tolling, improving access to commuter parking, and ensuring thoughtfully-planned Town Center development.”

Bertlin’s 2011 campaign focused on providing a “fresh start” for Island politics, and on initiatives such as the re-building of Fire Station 92 and  establishing the Island’s first accessible playground, now in use at Luther Burbank, in partnership with the Mercer Island Preschool Association (MIPA).

Now running as an incumbent, Bertlin said she is “four years wiser” and brings a “deep understanding with a creative approach” to the Council. She said she has been effective at playing the “neutral position and the moderator,” listening to points and counterpoints and “harnessing the intelligence of the community” to make decisions, keeping in mind that Mercer Island has regional interests as “part of the larger community in the I-90 corridor.”

Bertlin moved to Mercer Island with her with her family in 1974, graduating from Mercer Island High School before pursuing a bachelor and master degrees at Stanford University. She moved back to the Island in 1999, and currently works for Microsoft. She is married to husband Brian and has two daughters, ages 8 and 10.

“Growing up on the Island, I respect its values and traditions. I have such a deep appreciation for the continuing importance of investing in our children and schools,” she wrote.

Before being elected to the Council, Bertlin served Chair of the Open Space Conservancy, held many leadership positions with Emmanuel Day School and served as MIPA liaison for several city initiatives.

During her tenure on the Council, Bertlin authored the initial I-90 anti-tolling plan and served on the Library remodel sub-committee. She currently serves as Parks and Recreation sub-committee chair, as liaison to the Utility Board and on other city and regional committees.

“In working through the library remodel, I have been impressed with Debbie’s intellect, ability to communicate and temperament, which are all very important qualities for the job,” said Rob Spitzer, Island resident and King County Library System Board member.

Former School Board President Carrie George will serve as Bertlin’s campaign manager.

Bertlin is also endorsed by former Mayor Elliot Newman, who said she “listens to opinions of other Councilmembers and the community to develop consensus,” and School Board member Janet Frohnmayer, who said she is “a strong advocate for education and youth” and “fully supports continued MIYFS funding for a counselor in each district school.”

Other endorsers include Deputy King County Executive Fred Jarrett, 41st District House Representative Tana Senn, Mercer Island School Board members Pat Braman and Dave Myerson, former MIPA Presidents Kim Thomas and Sarah LeClercq, Nancy Lee, Toby Suhm, Ken Glass, Bharat Shyam, Sarah Ford and Christina and Aaron Hendelman.