Fahey Defeats Edmonds Mayor Hall

Families eat together. Run for office together. And sometimes, lose elections together.

It happened to Edmonds Mayor Laura Hall and her son, Councilman Michael Hall. Both were overwhelmingly rejected by voters in yesterday's general election.

Councilwoman Barb Fahey, who has made a name for herself by going after incumbents in her short political career, capitalized on discontent over Hall's leadership to capture more than 60 percent of the votes.

"People wanted a change," Fahey said. "Laura had a certain segment of the community who supported her. But most residents wanted a new style of leadership. They want cooperation between the council and the mayor."

Hall, who was mayor for four years and a council member for eight years before that, was gracious in defeat.

Hall expects a smooth transition.

When she steps down as mayor, Hall is certain that people will remember her for her long commitment and hard work for the city.

Fahey said one of her top priorities will be to focus on a comprehensive and acceptable plan to build new offices for the police and Fire Department. Voters could face a bond issue in the spring.

In other Edmonds elections:

-- Roger Myers defeated Michael Hall with 69 percent of the vote in a race that pitted two council members against each other. John Nordquist and Dave Earling will retain their council seats.

Nordquist beat Victor Bachulis with 71 percent of the vote. Earling was unopposed as was new member Jim White.

Another new member will be Dick Van Hollebeke, who had 70 percent of the vote against Syd Locke.

-- Two annexation issues were overwhelmingly approved by voters. The neighborhoods of Sherwood Village and Forest Glen will become part of the city, joining two other neighborhoods that voted for annexation in September. The annexations will add almost 1,500 residents and 236 acres to the city.