Why I endorse Adrienne Fraley-Monillas.

I endorse Adrienne Fraley-Monillas for city council for the following reasons:

Adrienne supports our historic small town charm: Adrienne opposes taller buildings in downtown and on the waterfront. She sees history as a part of our future; that is, our historic downtown charm is key to the city’s economic development. Adrienne recognizes that condos may give a little money to the city, but they bring an increased demand on city services with them. The cure for our economic woes is to market are strengths: our historic character and our artistic treasures.

Adrienne will restore our rights to appeal land-use decisions to the council: This is one of the most contentious issues of the campaign. This year, four council members took away your right to council appeal. Adrienne believes in ethical, open, and transparent government. She is committed to restoring our right to council appeal.

Adrienne fights for our seniors, our children, and the disabled: She serves on the South County Senior Center board of directors and as the vice-chair for the Edmonds School District Special Olympics. She is also a member of the Snohomish county advisory board for developmental disabilities, and the Special education PTA board.

A personal note: Adrienne has a son with Down Syndrome. We all know how much effort and time it takes to raise a son with a disability. It takes a very special person to do that, but Adrienne went beyond just her own son. She made a life and career devoted to helping folks with developmental disabilities become independent and attain the American dream. In my view, she's a patriot.

If Edmonds gets a tenth of the devotion she has put towards folks with disabilities, Edmonds will get one darn good council member. She's got my vote.