Incumbent Eileen Barber announces she will run again

Incumbent City Councilwoman, Eileen Barber, announced Friday, May 22, that she will seek re-election to the Issaquah City Council. Barber is completing her first term. In a press release Friday Barber said she was excited to continue the work she began nearly four-years ago. “I ran on a platform of preserving our quality of life while planning for our future,” Barber wrote. “In these difficult and uncertain economic times, it is more important than ever that we accomplish both for our citizens and our city” Barber, a longtime business owner in Issaquah, said she has worked hard to keep the City business-friendly. “I am proud of the things we have accomplished over the last four years to strengthen Issaquah’s retail core and business climate,” Barber wrote. “As a longtime business owner I understand the impact our current economic downturn has on our city.” As a member of the Economic Vitality Task Force Barber said she understands that a strong, attractive business climate is essential to the City and its future, both in terms of quality of life and providing essential services. Barber is also the Chair of the Services and Operations Committee. “I will continue to work hard to position our city to move forward as the economy rebounds,” she wrote. “A strong and vibrant economy affords us the revenues we need to provide essential services and to acquire land for parks and open spaces that maintain Issaquah’s unique charm and quality of life.” Barber owned the Ben Franklin store that was a mainstay in town for 25-years. She has been a member of the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce for more than 20 years, has served as its President, and has been honored as its ‘Business Person of the Year.’ Barber worked directly with the Police Department to pass the Panhandlers Ordinance. Barber cites her work in providing additional year round sports fields, and developing neighborhood parks and plays areas as first-term accomplishments.

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