This could be the most game-changing election in SeaTac since the residents voted to incorporate more than 20 years ago.

A proposition that would change SeaTac’s form of government is on the ballot for a fourth time. It lost by only 9 votes two years ago.

Several contentious council decisions have been made on 4-3 votes. Council members who have often been found themselves on the losing side are hoping for a different majority to emerge from the election.

Mayor Terry Anderson, Deputy Mayor Gene Fisher and Councilwoman Mia Gregerson are the incumbents. Councilman Ralph Shape chose not to run for re-election.

Ballots must be sent to King County Elections by Tuesday, Nov. 8.

We asked the candidates the following two questions:

1. What are your qualifications for the position and why should voters select you over your opponent?

2. Do you support the Elected Mayor proposition, and why or why not?

SeaTac City Council Position 1

Gene Fisher
1. Qualifications. I have lived, owned businesses and raised my family in SeaTac for 37 years. I am a retired 27-year union member and Navy Master Chief. I served as Mayor and Deputy Mayor 2 terms, gaining a wealth of political knowledge. Unlike my opponent, I can use my extended business, civic and military experience to guide SeaTac through these critical economic times.

After serving the citizens for over a decade, I’ve gained a much better understanding and a broader view of the city needs than my opponent. I will continue to use my common sense approach, derived from my business and political wisdom to benefit citizens of SeaTac.

As a dues paying member of the Coalition for Open Government I will make government more transparent while continuing to listen and represent citizens. I will strive to better represent the entire city because I believe too many special interest missions have left our property owners and taxpayers under represented!

My goals are raising property values, supporting our schools and creating a retail area in our city where citizens and tourists alike can dine and shop, which in turn will attract families to build SeaTac into a thriving residential community rather than a parking lot for air travelers.

2. Proposition 1. Foremost, the citizens have a democratic right to choose a person that lives in the city to represent and answer directly to them. After working with five city managers it became clear we need a Strong Mayor with political capitol to guide our city in regional and airport issues on a level, which can’t be accomplished with any City Manager. Unlike a City Manager, a Strong Mayor has personal and direct monetary ownership in every aspect of city business; Mayors have no need to build resumes with ever bigger government and budgets.

Barry Ladenburg
1. Qualifications. I am currently a City of SeaTac Planning Commissioner and Ad Hoc Committee member. As a past SeaTac Councilmember and member on the Public Safety and Justice; Land Use and Parks; and Shoreline Master Plan Committees, I have a good understanding of how city government works and am able to hit the ground running. Having also been the City of SeaTac Liaison to the Highline School District, I understand the needs of our children and the school system. Working the past 22 years for King County Transportation has given me a unique insight in city transportation needs. I also have experience negotiating Union contracts with King County.

One quality that I have is the ability to listen to differing views with an open mind. My vision is to represent the entire city and bring our neighborhoods together.

2. Proposition 1. I support the current Council/Manager form of government. In SeaTac, a consensus of seven elected councilmembers is more democratic than a single individual’s decisions. There is no reason to add another layer of government and the additional costs associated with an elected Mayor.

The current system of Council/Manager has worked for the citizens of SeaTac since 1990. Our council searches nationwide for a qualified, experienced city manager to manage SeaTac’s multi-million dollar budget. The City Manager reports to the council, which offers a layer of insulation between the business of running the city and the politics of city council. This lessens the influence of special interests.

The removal of a poorly performing elected Mayor takes up to four years or an expensive recall vote, whereas a poorly performing City Manager can be removed by a majority vote of the Council at any time. I encourage voters to vote NO on Proposition 1.

SeaTac City Council Position 3

Terry Anderson
1. Qualifications. I was born and raised right here and have lived and worked in this area my whole life. As one of the founders of the City of SeaTac, I have a perspective on our community that my opponent does not have.

I have extensive community service and experience in our larger community and knowledge of issues surrounding the City of SeaTac from land use and zoning to transportation; all aspects of Police and Fire services; and including children, senior citizen and veterans issues to the broader human services needs in the whole city. I believe that children and families are our future so I will always try to be there for every person I can help.

During my tenure on the City Council a new community center has been built, police presence has been increased, great parks and recreation programs for all have been created as well as the creation of world-class programs for our senior citizens.

I see a need for more open and transparent government in our city and the need to be more responsive to our citizens.

I have the desire, and I will continue to work towards putting our SeaTac community back on the path of young families moving here to raise their children and creating a safe and vibrant community for all aspects of our citizenry.

2. Proposition 1. I have said in the past that I didn’t think SeaTac was big enough for an elected mayor. I have now come to realize that the city could highly benefit from an elected mayor in many ways where a city manager does not have the same type of influence. When dealing with the airport and wider regional issues I believe an elected mayor would put SeaTac on an equal playing field with our surrounding cities, which also have elected mayors.

Sandra Cook-Bensley
1. Qualifications-- SeaTac’s citizens and government have been hit very hard by the economic downturn and high unemployment. My major campaign issues are (1) transparent, responsive, accountable city government, (2) promotion of small business, economic growth, job creation, and an improved business climate, and (3) fiscal responsibility, reduced cost of government, lower taxes, and common sense policies to reduce burdensome regulations.

My opponent has served on the Council for 22 years. Given this longevity in office, one would expect greater effectiveness in leading the Council as Mayor. I have attended many Council meetings over the past two years, and become deeply concerned by my opponent’s difficulty at running an effective meeting, such as keeping track of agenda items without frequent prompting from other Councilmembers and staff.

As a newcomer to politics, I will bring a unique combination of business acumen and common sense to all City Council issues. I will be an independent voice, not a "rubber stamp." I will represent all SeaTac citizens, not just the politically oriented special interest groups. I will bring a fresh voice and perspective to the Council on issues such as property rights and improving our business climate.

2. Proposition 1. I support the Elected Mayor proposition, as it will increase the responsiveness of City government to citizens-at-large, making the head of government directly accountable to the voters. Over 80 percent of Washington’s cities and towns have an elected mayor, and our citizens deserve the right to vote for the best-qualified SeaTac resident to serve as Mayor. Vote YES on Proposition 1.

SeaTac City Council Position 5

Dave Bush
1. Qualifications. I have served in the SeaTac community for over 15 years, first as PTSA President for Tyee High School for 4 years and then on the Highline Schools Foundation Board of Directors for 6 years. I now serve on the Board of Trustees for the Matt Griffin YMCA, current President of the Rotary Club of SeaTac and serve on the SeaTac Citizen’s Police Patrol and SeaTac Human Services Committee. I have been Vice President of two large successful Corporations and served in the United States Marine Corps. I care about our citizens, our seniors and most of all our children. I have dedicated the past 15 years to our Citizens health, safety and well being. As a member of our City Council I will oversee careful stewardship of your tax dollars, making sure our City is safer, has a more secure environment and that all citizens have a voice in our government. I have always tried to solve problems and find solutions, rather than just complain about them. Those that make things happen can lead our City to a greater, brighter future.

2. Proposition 1. I am opposed to Prop 1 (elected Mayor Style of government). We are now and have been well served in the past by a City Council form of government, chosen By the People in a Democratic Election Process, where all the citizens can vote for their 7 council representatives. These council members serve for a very small fee to the public, where an elected Mayor will cost the taxpayers over $200,000 dollars a year with salary, secretary, and benefits. I do not believe this is necessary in such a small City. We could better be served by using that money (if we are to spend it at all) for two police officers to have a safer City. The Citizens have voted this proposition down 3 times before and should again. What is this really about? Large developers would like to control City Hall by changing our form of government. Those that support this proposal are misguided and do NOT have the best interest of the people in mind. Ask your self, “Where will the developers want to go next”? Vote NO on Prop 1.

Michael T. Kovacs
1. Qualifications. I am an American Society for Quality (ASQ) Certified Quality Auditor and ASQ Certified Manager of Quality and Organizational Excellence. With 21 years of hands-on experience in the fields of aerospace, retail commercial products and government, I have managed improvement through the use of financial/process metrics measurement, structured problem solving, team building principles, and complex quality system audits. Volunteering for non-profit organizations The American Society for Quality as Chairman, Secretary, Exam Proctor and Recertification Chair, Washington Trails Association for hiking trail maintenance, and Seattle Mountaineers for instruction on mountain climbing.

You should vote for Michael T Kovacs, as I know how to maximize efficiency and implement reform – and I am the right person to implement the necessary economic and policy reforms to benefit the people of SeaTac. My campaign pledge: if elected, I will donate 50% of my net council salary to charitable causes that benefit SeaTac citizens.

2. Proposition 1. I fully support Proposition 1 for a government that is democratic with our own elected mayor.

Democratic election of the mayor will mean more accountable government for the citizens of SeaTac.

Democratic election of a mayor means they will be a citizen from SeaTac and not an unprofessional city manager who lives in Renton, Tacoma, or anywhere else outside our city.

Democratic election of a mayor will improve public safety, code compliance and increase opportunity for economic development in SeaTac.

Democratic election of a mayor will give the population of SeaTac 25,000 plus citizens the right to chose their own city executive, not 4 council members who hire a unprofessional, over paid, and unelected city manager.

Vote for democracy, as it’s our right to elect our mayor for they will have first hand knowledge of issues and be directly accountable to the citizens.

SeaTac City Council Position 7

Mia Su-Ling Gregerson
1. Qualifications. I have lived in SeaTac for nearly 40 years and I am committed to our community. If you choose to re-elect me, I will continue to be your voice and to work hard at moving SeaTac forward on: public safety, collaborative efforts with the Highline School District, transportation issues, funding strategies, access for everyone to healthy food, strong but farsighted business and economic growth, and in keeping our city fiscally responsible and accountable. I have represented your interests on many regional committees which have given me the opportunity to network with other jurisdictions and to become proactive concerning policies and issues that face us both individually and regionally. We are a small city with big decisions, full of big needs: comprehensive human services, great parks for healthy living, and quality education in our schools. I promise that I will work hard to represent your views in the decisions that are made and to be a bridge to fulfilling these needs with measurable outcomes.

2. Proposition 1. Voting NO on Proposition One will prevent the costly expense of switching to a mayoral form of government in which just one person makes all the major decisions, and who may lack the skills necessary to manage a staff of over 200 and a budget in excess of $50 million. The City of SeaTac was founded on the Council / City Manager business model of government and provides the voters with seven representatives and a trained City Manager to make decisions that protect their rights and the future of the city. We need to continue to provide a strong Council of seven members who represent the views of SeaTac residents, protect our city's budget, ensure citizens their rights, and to assure that SeaTac plans for the future in an orderly manner. VOTE NO again on Proposition One for the fourth time.

Erin Sitterley
1. Qualifications. 1. A vote for Erin is a vote for all of the people of SeaTac. The citizens of SeaTac, like people throughout America, want elected officials who are responsive, accountable, and govern with integrity. The people of SeaTac deserve prosperity, economic growth, promotion of small business, and job creation. They want protection of property rights, lower taxes, less regulation, and reduced cost of government. I am the candidate to bring back leadership focused on our city and local area. I will help bring a new city council that works for us, the people of SeaTac.

As a civil service commissioner, appointed member of the fire services regionalization exploratory committee and an elected PCO, I have gained valuable experience seeing how local government has developed and is conducted. I strive to see issues from all points of view, and will always keep the community as a whole in mind when making decisions. I will be available to you, the taxpayer, to work together to solve problems. I am committed and dedicated to the people of this city, and I am equal to the task of representing all of us.

2. Proposition 1. I support Proposition 1, to allow the citizens of SeaTac direct and democratic election of our Mayor. Our form of government lacks the necessary checks and balances afforded by democracy, instead concentrating both legislative and executive powers with the council. An elected mayor is accountable directly to the voters, lives among us, and has a better understanding of issues facing the citizens. Statistically, cities of our size tend to spend less tax money with an elected mayor. In this challenging economy, we owe it to ourselves to elect an accountable leader.