The November 2015 Bothell City Council Candidates have filed with the state and are getting ready for the coming elections.

In order to start the conversation concerning the upcoming elections, The Bothell Reporter has requested the same questions from each candidate. This is only the first of the coverage The Bothell Reporter will be giving during the City Council elections.

Today, we have a question and answer session with Tim Ottersburg, who is running for position 4 in the 2015 Bothell City Council Elections.

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[Deanna Isaacs] What is your background experience?

[Tim Ottersburg] I’m Sr. Director of Engineering at a healthcare research organization focused on improving quality of care and patient experience. I’ve volunteered with North Bothell Little League and have been a leader in fundraising campaigns for Senior Services and NeighborCare Youth Clinic.

[DI] What skills or experiences do you believe will help you on the council?

[TO] I manage multiple teams of engineers, project managers, analysts, and quality assurance professionals aimed at delivering large, complex projects on-time and on-budget. I work hard to understand stakeholder needs, analyze options, recommend efficient yet effective solutions, negotiate and manage budgets, and then make it all happen. I also listen and have brought diverse groups of people together throughout my career.

[DI] What motivated you to run for city council?

[TO] I’m raising a family in Bothell and want to contribute to improving our city. My son and daughter (7 and 6) are attending two different Northshore public schools and I care about the community they are growing up in. I also believe that tax dollars and resources need to be well spent and consider the needs of ALL of the residents of Bothell, not just one neighborhood or area.

[DI] Why run now, rather than in previous years? (OR if you’ve previously run) What made you decide to run this year versus other years?

[TO] It has always been a goal to serve my city. Since moving to Bothell in 2007, I’d decided that once my children were both in school, I would run in the next City Council election. I think Bothell is at an important moment and the choices made in the next several years will shape the future of our city.

[DI] What issues are you concerned with the most?

[TO] I’m concerned about Bothell’s current spending and proposals to increase taxes on residents and businesses. Addressing these issues means ensuring a return on city infrastructure investments. The downtown revitalization project must be seen through to quick and successful completion. We must continue efforts to manage traffic congestion in our neighborhoods, support our city’s police and firefighters and make improvements to parks and recreation.

[DI] What issues do you believe are of importance to Bothell?

[TO] Bothell wants to see its downtown project completed on time and on budget. Citizens want to prioritize tax dollars to fund public safety, address traffic concerns, and preserve parks and open space while we still can.

[DI] Why did you pick this position over other positions, open or otherwise?

[TO] Being a City Councilmember provides the best opportunity to work closely with Bothell citizens. I’m committed to listening to the needs of our community and representing our collective voices on our Council. As for the particular seat, over 40% of residents of Bothell live in North Bothell (the Snohomish County portion), and yet in the coming council I would be the only councilmember who lives North Bothell. I think 40% of the citizens of Bothell deserve a voice.

[DI] Do you believe the people of Bothell will support you and why?

[TO] I consider every issue on the merits of the issue with an open mind and a critical eye. I would engage closely with the members of our community as well as with each Council Member to do what’s right for our city. I believe that we need independent voices who listen to all sides and give the citizens their best judgment.

[DI] What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing the Bothell City Council?

[TO] Our council needs to reconnect with our community. In order to do that, it must first come together and unify itself. In order to do that, the City Council has to reflect the City of Bothell. This can’t be accomplished if a single neighborhood has multiple members on the city council yet all of Snohomish County has none.

[DI] What are you looking forward to most about the upcoming election?

[TO] I look forward to connecting directly with our community, to collect their concerns, gather their ideas, and work on their behalf to make this city an even better home for us all.