The race for Edmonds City Council Position 2, with incumbent Strom Peterson facing challenger Diane Buckshnis, has showcased an interesting contrast of styles: Peterson states on his website that he has “the temperament to discuss contentious issues in a productive way,” while Buckshnis has been unafraid during recent council meetings to raise questions about the City’s financial analysis of the proposed fire department merger with Fire District 1.

Peterson has been on the City Council one year, appointed to fill a seat vacated by Deanna Dawson late last year. He owns the Resident Cheesemonger cheese shop and sits on the council’s economic development committee. He also chairs the council’s public safety committee, and supports the proposal now before the City Council to sell City of Edmonds Fire Services to Snohomish County Fire District 1. He has been endorsed by the local police and firefighters unions, the latter of which is a proponent of the Edmonds-Fire District 1 merger.

He lists the following issues as his priorities:

• Ensuring public safety in our neighborhoods.
• Promoting economic development.
• Supporting environmental sustainability and the growth of Green jobs and businesses.

Peterson has lived in Edmonds with his wife, Maria Montalvo, since 2001. He has been endorsed by Edmonds Mayor Gary Haakenson and City Councilmembers Peggy Pritchard Olson and D.J. Wilson, two state representatives, several local Democratic organizations including the Snohomish County Democrats, and the Washington Conservation Voters. More information on Peterson and his endorsements can be found on his website: www.votestrom.com

Buckshnis, a former banker and bank regulator, promises to be the council’s financial watchdog, stressing government oversight in light of the city’s $7 million budget deficit. She is a director of the Edmonds Arts Festival, a volunteer at the Edmonds Senior Center and a founder of the Off-Leash Area-Edmonds dog park.

If elected to the Council, Buckshnis says she will focus on the following:

• Stimulating the economy through fiscal responsibility and by marketing tourism.
• Requiring government transparency and accountability.
• Supporting the arts community and historic preservation.
• Preserving open spaces, wetlands and waterfront views.

Buckshnis and her husband Steve Throll have lived in Edmonds for nine years. She has been endorsed by local Democratic organizations, the National Women’s Political Caucus of Washington and the Herald newspaper.

For more information on her background and other endorsements, visit her website: www.dianebuckshnis.com.