The Reporter submitted four questions to each council candidate. Here is how they answered. For the entire Q&A search “Vote 2013.”

When Patrick Ewing announced he would not seek re-election to the Bothell City Council, it came as a shock to many. But it also opens an opportunity for three residents to make a difference in their community.

Bothell is going through tremendous changes in the downtown core with the realignment of State Route 522 and the Bothell Landing project. Position 5 is one of three Bothell Council seats on the ballot, but the only one with multiple candidates. Nadia Mustafa, Steve Booth and Tris Samberg will face off during the Aug. 6 primary for the seat, with the top two vote getters advancing to the general election in November.

While the seat does not have an incumbent, two of the candidates have strong name recognition. Samberg previously held council Position 2 and was a Planning Commission member. She lost in a bid to unseat Mayor Mark Lamb in 2011.

Booth is a current Planning Commission member, while Mustafa is a stay-at-home mom.

All the candidates see the top three issues facing Bothell differently. Mustafa said that one of her biggest concerns is the lack of communication between City Hall and residents.

“As the city grows, I want residents to know they have a major say in how that growth occurs,” said Mustafa. “I firmly believe Bothell’s

elected representatives must reach out to residents throughout the year, not just at election time.”

She also said the city needs to keep citizens engaged and do a better job of planning re-development efforts.

Booth and Samberg are critical of how the city is running its finances, paying for capital projects and funding public safety.

“These [capital] projects add to the $43 million we already owe and the $52 million coming our way because the city is not maintaining our streets,” said Samberg. “If we stay on this course, taxpayers will see continued deterioration in services with an increase in taxes. My top priority is to rein in the unnecessary and reckless spending and refocus our budget on the services our citizens truly need.”

Booth said that without financial stability, the city can’t affect positive change and he is concerned with the leadership needed to guide the huge projects to completion.

“The collaborative process that pulled together the many city stakeholders that resulted in the city’s Downtown Subarea Plan in 2009 was a sound process that Bothell citizens can take pride in,” said Booth. “What most concerns people, at this point, is the length of time it is taking to get it done. What is needed now is leadership from the city council to complete the vision on time and on budget.”

Mustafa is critical of the entire process, especially the impact to local businesses.

“Downtown core development has been slow, poorly managed and underfunded,” said Mustafa. “Many businesses have been hurt or forced to close entirely … 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.”

She said that she is an advocate of big ideas but also wants efficient, common-sense government.

Samberg said she is against the city being involved in real estate development.

“As I did with the land purchases for the proposed new City Hall, I will vote against any more property purchases by the city,” said Samberg. “I will work to re-establish the city’s true role – establishing zoning – while allowing private investment to mitigate the risk of development at no cost to the taxpayer.”

She is also critical of the deal to bring McMenamins to Bothell. She said she would also work to stop the development of a new City Hall and redevelop the Park at Bothell Landing.

“The city sold this property at 37 percent of what we paid for it, with the promise of community ‘amenities,’” said Samberg. “The community was led to believe that McMenamins would provide free use of the city pool for programs, such as school team practices, lap lanes, swimming lessons and water aerobics classes. In a bait-and-switch, the deep end will be filled in and converted into a 4-foot-deep wading pool.”

She said the city council should require that promises officials made to the public for a full-service swimming facility are kept as payment for the significantly reduced price of the property.

But the completion of the SR-522 realignment is the biggest opportunity for council members to have an impact in the next session by helping to bring new businesses to the area.

Booth said he has unique experience to help bring new businesses to Bothell.

“The city council can best support economic growth by striking a healthy balance between prescriptive planning and openness to the innovative ideas of private investment and business owners,” said Booth, who applauds the efforts of the Greater Bothell Chamber of Commerce. “… I’m excited about the chance to bring to the city council my business background that understands profit objectives as well as the benefits of jobs and services that healthy businesses bring to Bothell.”

Samberg said economic growth starts with economic stability within the city. Streamlining government process can also help the local economy, she said.

“The best way to spur growth in the city is process development applications in a timely, predictable manner, with clear and consistent building requirements, and fair development fees,” said Samberg.

Mustafa said the city needs to advertise its economic successes to draw more businesses to the area.

“Advertise Bothell as a great place to start a business,” said Mustafa. “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.”

She also advocates for the council to listen more closely to local business leaders’ ideas.

“We need to make sure everyone is at the table when it comes to decisions that impact our future,” said Mustafa.