Sammamish sets date for council candidates forum

Published 10:41 am Monday, September 28, 2015

The Sammamish Rotary Club and the Sammamish Chamber of Commerce will co-sponsor a forum for the Sammamish City Council candidates next month.

Five candidates will gather at the Sammamish EX3 Teen & Recreation Center on Oct. 7 to answer questions from 7-9 p.m.

The public is invited to attend and hear from candidates regarding various issues, including transportation, communication and the environment.

“We are holding the forum as a public service as we believe a better informed voter is best for the city, its businesses and its residents,” according to a statement released by Chamber Executive Director Deb Sogge and Chamber President Bob Toomey. “The evening will offer voters an opportunity to hear from candidate concerning the major issues that face Sammamish.”

Each candidate will have a minute and a half for opening and closing remarks. Likewise, they will have a minute and a half to respond to each of the questions.

William Shaw, publisher of the Issaquah/Sammamish Reporter, will moderate the forum.

There are three open seats on the Sammamish City Council. Incumbents Mayor Tom Vance, Position 6, and Councilmember Ramiro Valderrama-Aramayo, Position 4, are running for re-election.

Councilmember Nancy Whitten, Position 2, who has been on the council for 12 years, is not seeking re-election. Residents Christie Malchow and Mark Cross are seeking Whitten’s seat.

Tom Hornish, running against Vance, will be among the five in attendance.

Valderrama-Aramayo’s opponent told the Reporter he dropped out of the race in July due to family reasons. Resident Hank Klein’s name will still appear next to Valderrama-Aramayo’s on the ballot, but Klein will not participate in the forum.

The Teen Center is located at 825 228th Ave. N.E. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

For more information contact Sogge at 425-681-4910.