Edmonds Beacon - Your Hometown News Source

A great hometown like Edmonds doesn't just happen. The stewardship and hard work of our politicians, public servants, and engaged citizens are what makes Edmonds such a great place to call home.

And this November, we will share the collective opportunity – and responsibility – to thoughtfully choose our next mayor.

This is a decision that I take seriously. For months, I've deliberated on who will get my vote, talking with friends, going out for coffee privately with both candidates and watching the debate.

I'm fortunate to call our current mayor a friend. Mike Nelson has worked hard, has the right priorities, and, given the pandemic cards he was dealt, I think he has done a good job running Edmonds.

Of the two candidates, I'm more politically in tune with him, and he has my respect. But the mayor of Edmonds is not a partisan position – it's an administrative position. And I think Mike Rosen will be a better administrator for Edmonds.

I met Rosen in 2020 on a task force to save the Chamber of Commerce, where I saw his people skills and organizational smarts in action. He has an energetic and collaborative style, and I found him simply fun to work with.

Since then, I've been impressed by the passion, integrity, and hard work that has characterized his mayoral campaign, and I can imagine those same traits in a Mayor Rosen.

Many people with a far better understanding of what it takes to run this city – people I have great respect for – have heartily endorsed Rosen. I value continuity, and a second term for a good mayor is a great thing – but continuity of staff is also important.

I think that Rosen will bring a more collaborative vibe to City government and do a better job of both attracting and retaining talented civil servants.

Ralph Sanders

Rick Steves, right, with mayoral candidate Mike Rosen.

I want a mayor whose focus is on bringing caring citizens together – an approachable leader who brings joy to the position, has an appetite for cheerleading in public, is present with gusto at events from the Summer Market to the various galas, and is simply just out and about around town.

During my last coffee session with Mike Rosen, I found myself thinking, "I'd be happy to be a citizen of a town run by you."

We talked about the dance between development and maintaining the green, small-town charm of Edmonds, which will be the challenge of any mayor.

Mike is well aware that this town expects a leader who is a good steward of our environment, and I take him at his word that he will be one.

Mike Rosen is too much of an inspirational ball of mayoral energy to not make my decision public. So, for mayor of Edmonds, he's the Mike I'm endorsing.