Rich Erwin Launches Campaign for Mercer Island Council

Rich Erwin, a 13-year resident of Mercer Island, officially announced his run for City Council Position 6, currently held by Councilman Mike Grady. Grady earlier announced that he will not run for re-election, according to the Mercer Island Reporter. Erwin, a Boeing engineer, will run for the seat against Benson Wong, an attorney who announced his candidacy earlier this year. Others who have declared candidacies so far are Councilwoman Tana Senn (position 4) and Deputy Mayor Dan Grausz (position 2 - the Mercer Island Council chooses its mayor and deputy mayor from among its members).  Erwin, vice-chairman of the Mercer Island Design Commission, explored a run for city council in 2011, but he withdrew his name after Councilwoman Debbie Bertlin announced that she would run. Erwin's announcement is as follows: Mercer Island resident Richard Erwin has announced that he will run for City Council Position #6, currently held by Michael Grady.  Mr. Erwin said, “Mercer Island is going through a time of transition on a number of issues during a delicate period in our economy.  It requires a city council that will get maximum value out of every dollar it spends while ensuring that our city services are maintained, our open spaces remain both unspoiled and accessible, and our public infrastructure, where necessary, is renewed.  And I look forward to the challenge.” Mr. Erwin has been a resident of Mercer Island for thirteen years, and a single parent of his daughter, Seneca, for seventeen years.  An employee with Boeing for over 26 years, he presently provides operational support for critical companywide internet applications.   Mr. Erwin is currently Vice-Chair of the Mercer Island Design Commission and has served on the East Bellevue Community Council, which focuses on land use issues, for three years.  Steve Kasner, the present Chair of the Council, said, “Rich understands how communities work and helped make living in ours a much better place.” He has also served on the Thrivent - East King County charitable board for two years.  Island resident and past Chair of the Thrivent board, Cindy Martin, said, “He was a tireless, dedicated and focused part of our team, bringing his experience, intelligence and ideas to each meeting."  Mr. Erwin is against the I-90 tolling plan.  “While I understand the difficulties of funding transportation in our state, Mercer Island should not be left holding the bag.  A bad precedent is set when we pay for a state-funded road with a federally-funded road.  A worse precedent is set when we commit Mercer Island to help pay for the Interstate 5 to Montlake approach for the State Route 520 bridge separate from future possible regional transportation strategies.”   “The Puget Sound Regional Council, a bipartisan group of municipal and county leaders from throughout King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties, intends to implement a regional transportation plan over the next thirty years.  Instead of the existing proposal, the residents of Mercer Island should participate in a regional solution, where all residents of the Puget Sound will be asked to pay a proportionate share of the cost.  A first step for this process needs to be an Environmental Impact Statement, which I am glad to see the state legislature also wants implemented and has included in their transportation budget.” Mr. Erwin is a strong supporter of Mercer Island public schools.  “Our children’s education is one of the key reasons most of us have come to live here.  Overcrowding, however, is affecting the quality of their education and this issue must be addressed without delay.  If elected, I will support the School Board in its efforts to resolve this issue.” Mr. Erwin also believes the growth of the Town Center benefits the entire island, but that more needs to be done.  “I support Sound Transit’s willingness to fund additional commuter parking on Mercer Island.  For too long, island residents have had to deal with insufficient access to their own community’s Park & Ride, and resolving this issue is overdue.” Elliot Newman, former Mayor of Mercer Island, has said of Mr. Erwin, “Rich’s background and experience in land use-planning and management, and as a member of the Mercer Island Design Commission provide him with outstanding credentials to serve on the City Council.” Other Mercer Island City Council Elections news:

• Mercer Island Councilman Dan Grausz to Run for Fifth Term
• Benson Wong Announces his Candidacy for Mercer Island City Council
• Mercer Island Councilwoman Tana Senn To Seek Full Term in November Election
• Mike Grady says he will not run for reelection to Mercer Island City Council (via the Mercer Island Reporter)
• Candidates step up for city, county and schools (via the Mercer Island Reporter)