Snohomish County Council member Terry Ryan, who represents north Bothell, has announced he will seek a second term.
“When I entered office, Snohomish County was still recovering from a terrible recession,” Ryan said. “I’m proud of the work I’ve done to ensure long term stability of County finances, including a larger reserve for the next economic downturn.”
A member of the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County, Ryan also serves as vice president of the multi-county Puget Sound Regional Council Economic Development Board.
Ryan, a father and longtime youth soccer coach, has brought a particular focus to quality of life issues on the Council, carrying over from his local government experience in one of the County’s fastest growing areas, Mill Creek.
“How we grow as communities and a County is as much about the roads and building as it is the parks and play fields. These are the things that make this a great region to live and work,” Ryan said.
Ryan noted several key local accomplishments in a release, including: A new $530,000 annual sidewalk building program to fill in the gaps in existing sidewalks in high development areas, increasing pedestrian and connectivity between neighborhoods; a six-year plan to invest $91 million in transportation and pedestrian projects in his district; securing street lights in two neighborhoods in need for safety; and increased funding for senior centers in Snohomish County.
Ryan hopes to continue this work if re-elected, as well as focus on issues of homelessness and drug dependency that are creating a human services and public safety challenge for the County and cities throughout the region.
In the 2017 budget, Ryan helped restore $1 million to fund critical public safety programs like the Violent Offender Task Force and the Office of Neighborhoods.
“The best way I know how to serve people is by listening,” Ryan said. “I enjoy talking to people in their neighborhoods about their priorities and concerns, and taking action to help solve problems. I look forward to the months ahead.”
