The Bothell Reporter newspaper conducted a Q&A with all the city council candidates for a story that ran in the newspaper published July 19. Here is the Q&A with Nadia Mustafa in its entirety:

What do you see as the top three issues facing the city of Bothell?

1. As a Bothell resident, my biggest concern is an increased disconnect between the community and City Hall. As the city grows, I want residents to know they have a major say in how that growth occurs. I firmly believe Bothell’s elected representatives must reach out to residents throughout the year, not just during election time.

2. City government needs to redouble efforts to improve planning and execution of development. We need to ensure optimum utilization of our resources and be mindful of the impact long drawn out projects have on our daily quality of life.

I will work with our mayor and colleagues on the council to encourage growth and create family-friendly jobs that have a positive impact on our community. This will ensure economic stability and help keep taxes under control.

3. Bothell must keep its citizens engaged. The city cannot afford to stagnate. We need a fresh set of eyes, new energy to revitalize our City Hall and improve our everyday lives. This includes improving traffic flow projects, fully enforcing school zone laws, creating pedestrian paths, ensuring adequate bus stops and reviewing public safety concerns. I also want a top-to-bottom review of how we are utilizing funds dedicated to police and emergency services.

How do you feel the city has handled development of the downtown core and what would you do differently or work to change?

Downtown core development has been slow, poorly managed and underfunded. Many businesses have been hurt or forced to close entirely. Scenic Main Street, once a thriving corridor, is covered with acres of dirt piles.

Because businesses have been forced to close prematurely, we have lost those jobs and revenue, not to mention their years of service to our community. We also lost the revenue created by those businesses, revenue that could have been used for everything from lowering taxes to funding parks to efficiently completing projects already in progress.

I am an advocate of big ideas, and I also believe in an efficient and common-sense government. That’s the attitude and mindset I will bring to the council.

In your opinion, what is the best way to spur growth in the city and build a sense of community between businesses and the local government, especially with so many potential new businesses moving into the downtown area?

Advertise Bothell as a great place to start a business. Emphasize the advantages of Bothell, and reach out to business leaders looking for a great place to call home.

When major businesses choose Bothell, the city should aggressively publicize that fact. Tell the public about the new business and encourage other businesses to locate here as well.

Get input from business leaders on how the city should grow. We need to make sure everyone is at the table when it comes to decisions that impact our future.

If you have an issue that is important to you, please tell our readers about it and what you would like to do about it as a council member?

One of the main reasons I decided to run for council is to help bridge the gap between civic leaders and the community at large. My slogan is “Let’s build a bridge to the community,” and that’s what I plan to do.

I believe in a “basics first” approach, where government focuses on everyday issues that residents face. I will be accessible, responsive and will diligently follow up on concerns.

What is your campaign website address for residents to learn more about you?

My website campaign address is: nadiakmustafa.com but it is still under construction.