Mountlake Terrace Challengers Come Out Swinging -- Three Hope To Unseat Mayor

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE - The mayor's seat typically is pretty hot in local politics.

In Mountlake Terrace, it has become a lightning rod.

Mayor Roger Bergh is facing three challengers who want to replace him on the council in the Sept. 14 primary. And unlike other races where newcomers refrain from criticizing the incumbent, his would-be replacements are not pulling any punches.

Peter Wernecke said he is running because he doesn't want the city's name to be changed to "Roger's Burgh."

"He is a big fish in a little pond and it is time to change Jurassic Park," candidate Don M. Garberg said.

Larry Herres said Bergh has been unable to bring unity to the council, which elects the city's mayor.

Bergh said the criticism is unfair, and he has attributed it to just plain politics. He said he was elected mayor by the council because of his ability to get the job done.

"I am proud of the city and I am proud of my job with the city . . . I am by far the best candidate."

Bergh is not the only council member being challenged this year. Only one incumbent on the council, Dave Gossett, is unchallenged for his Position 4 seat.

Councilwoman Joyce Barry is being challenged by two candidates in the primary election. Patrick McMahan isn't facing a challenger in the primary and will face one opponent in November.

The two top finishers in the council's two primary races will advance to the general election.

Issues expected to be raised in the campaign include the council's repeated delays in making a decision on whether to ban or regulate adult entertainment. And some residents are upset with a new nuisance ordinance that regulates the neatness of property.

Implementation of the state Growth Management Act, the possible creation of a three-county rapid-transit system and decreased revenues also will test the city's leadership.

The candidates:

Position 1

-- Lonnie W. Williams Sr., 68, has previously run unsuccessfully for the City Council and state Legislature. A retired analyst with Seattle's Department of Community Development, he is married with six children.

Williams said he is concerned with the direction of the city and fears the new nuisance ordinance will hurt more than help Mountlake Terrace.

"It is a personal issue with me and my neighbors. The ordinance is so broad and sweeping. It doesn't just deal with junk cars," he said.

Williams is concerned with redevelopment of downtown, which suffered a major blow in 1990 when two arsons destroyed most of the business district.

"There isn't strong leadership on the council. . . . Put a little pressure and the council caves in," he said. "They can't make the big decisions."

-- William Whalen, 43, holds a political science degree from Central Missouri State University. He is a security coordinator with Seafirst Bank and is married with two children.

The top problem facing the city is the lack of a stable revenue source and the demand for additional services, he said. Redeveloping downtown will not be easy, but the city must find other sources of revenue.

Whalen said it is time the council decides whether to ban or legislate adult entertainment, which has been under discussion for more than two years.

"You have to listen to what people want. But you have to make your own decision on what you think is right," Whalen said. "You run on popularity. You govern by what is right."

-- Incumbent Joyce Barry, 56, is finishing her first term. She has lived in the city for 27 years.

Barry said she decided to seek office again because there are few people willing to serve the city.

Barry said her job has been frustrating when the council has not reached agreement on major issues. But she is happy the council agreed to support the new nuisance ordinance.

"I moved to adopt it and I am all for it," she said.

Barry said the council is close to making a decision on the adult-entertainment issue. She would have voted to ban nude dancing clubs, but she didn't have support for that move.

She said tough issues facing the city include downtown redevelopment, growth and traffic. To deal with those issues, candidates must have experience, something that gives her an edge over her challengers, she said.

Position 3

-- Roger J. Bergh, 56, is a University of Washington graduate and an engineer with the state Department of Transportation. He's been on the council for eight years and is married with five children.

Bergh said his priority is passage of a strict regulatory and zoning ordinance to control adult entertainment, maintaining public safety and improving maintenance of parks.

Despite the criticism, Bergh stands by his record on the council. He said he has worked with developers to attract businesses to the city and has forged better relations with neighboring cities.

"Things are in the right track. I sincerely believe that we are beginning to see a rebirth of the city," he said.

Bergh said the council has not reached a consensus on adult entertainment because it is studying all the options. Bergh favors a regional approach to control adult entertainment.

-- Peter Wernecke, 40, has never run for office. He has a master's degree in mathematics from the UW and is single.

Wernecke said he is tired of watching the council argue over decisions. He said the council seems to be afraid of the mayor.

He said it is time for the council to make a decision on adult entertainment. Wernecke also is concerned about traffic issues. He also wants to take another look at the nuisance ordinance.

"It is very vague and many residents are complaining about it," he said.

He is concerned that growth in traffic and population will continue to be a problem in Mountlake Terrace and wants a unified council that can deal with the tough decisions.

-- Don M. Garberg, 45, is an X-ray technician. He is a member of the city's library board, former volunteer firefighter and a member of the city's Board of Adjustments. Garberg is married with one son.

He ran unsuccessfully for City Council two years ago.

Council members have failed to "stick their necks out and make a decision. One of my major concerns is to help formulate a strong direction for the city," he said. Garberg also said residents believe there are double standards in the city and wants to eliminate that perception.

Garberg said he is displeased the City Council is not seriously considering the consequences of a regional transit system.

The council should ban nude dancing in the city instead of trying to find laws to regulate it, he said.

"We need a ban," he said. "We need to fight for what the community wants."

-- Larry Herres, 48, holds degrees in psychology and educational counseling. A small-business owner, he is a member of the city's planning commission, a former police officer and previously served on the city's parks and recreation commission.

High on Herres' agenda is the protection of the environment and neighborhoods. He wants better maintenance of city parks, recreation programs and improvements to city facilities.

He wants to improve the downtown area, as well as other commercial areas in the city, through revitalization. He wants the city to become involved in regional issues, including rapid transit, solid waste and growth management.

Herres said the current council is incapable of dealing with these issues because there's no unity.

"I have great respect for most members on that council, but they are polarized. There's no reason for the polarization," he said.