Incumbent Andy Rowlson has a challenger for his seat on the Everson City Council this election season.
Local small-businessman Andy Jewell is running for the position 5 seat against Rowlson, who has served on the council since 2000.
Eric Oettel is running unopposed for position 4 on the council.
Jewell and Rowlson both discussed smart growth that can maintain the city's character and values in response to a questionnaire sent them by The Bellingham Herald.
Here is an excerpt of their responses to that questionnaire.
What type of businesses would you like to see in Everson? How would you attract them to the city?
Jewell: "Everson needs retail to grow and revitalize our downtown area. It would also be good to see more industrial and family wage jobs in our community. I think the number one way to attract new business in a community is to make it easy for them to come and do business. The role of government in commerce is to provide a good environment for the business to meet the needs of their customers in the community. If we help make an environment that allows business to come and be profitable, than the demand of the people of the community will dictate which businesses will come and which will succeed."
Rowlson: "While I don't see Everson becoming a manufacturing hub like Sumas, I do believe Everson should do our best to become a regional shopping area. Everson has historically been a hub for commerce because the bridge over the Nooksack River is located in town. I believe Everson could support more business, with people coming from the Foothills, Sumas and Deming to get services such as banking, insurance and a farmer's market. A few years ago, the City Council hired a consultant to assist the City with economic development. There is more to do in this area, perhaps with a partnership with the Port of Bellingham.
"Regarding manufacturing development, the City is working hard to bring sewer and water services to land zoned for manufacturing. This multi-year effort is important so a potential business could start up quickly. The City is making steady efforts in planning and implementing these improvements."
For more responses from these candidates, go online to bellinghamherald.com/elections. There you'll also find Q and A's from candidates in other races, recent articles on local races and election-related headlines from around the state and country.
ABOUT THE CANDIDATES
Andy Jewell
Elected office you seek: Everson City Council, Position 5
Age: 31
Family: Wife Rebecca; children Natasha 11, Melody 9, Andrew 7, Moira 4, and Grace due in December.
Education: High school diploma, completed the OMEGA program at Summit Pacific College, completed vocational schooling for insurance industry.
Work experience: Worked for Wonder bread and Mother's Cookies doing delivery from 1999-2005. Opened an insurance agency in 2005 that I still own and run.
Civic experience: I have organized fundraising events with March of Dimes. I have organized and sponsored multiple years of giving out the M.I.L.K (Managing Information On Lost Kids) program for children at the Northwest Washington Fair. I have also volunteered many hours to local church and youth organizations.
Email: agentjewell@gmail.com
Andy Rowlson
Elected office you seek: Everson City Council, Position 5
Age: 45 (by Election Day)
Family: Spouse Patti Rowlson; children Kelsey, 19, and Branden, 16.
Education: Two years of business courses at the University of Washington.
Work experience: Director of Human Resources at Whatcom Transportation Authority.
Civic experience: Served on the Everson City Council since 2000, former member of Everson Lions Club, former youth soccer coach.
Email: rowlson1@gmail.com
