September 29, 2011

Contact: Carin Chase
               This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
              425 775-0600

Most voters undecided about November’s Council races.

Economic development and the construction of more sidewalks are the two most important issues facing Shoreline voters according to a poll conducted by the 32^nd District Democrats.

Nearly 25% of Shoreline residents polled said that economic development is the most important issue that the City should address. Another 21% said that pedestrian safety and sidewalks is the most important issue.

According to the poll, the planned development at Point Wells is a concern for voters throughout the City. 38% of the respondents said that the City should negotiate to limit the impacts of the development, while 28% said that the City should litigate. The Town of Woodway and Save Richmond Beach are currently suing the Point Wells developer. The 32^nd District Democrats passed a resolution at its September meeting opposing urban center development at Point Wells.

“This has become a much broader issue than anyone anticipated as Snohomish County continues to try and force an illegal Urban Center on our community,” says Caycee Holt, Director of Save Richmond Beach. “The City of Shoreline is absolutely doing the right thing by trying to negotiate, but also preparing for potential litigation in the worst-case-scenario that the developer refuses reasonable alternatives.”

In the races for City Council, most voters in each of the three positions are still undecided about which candidate to support.

“The number of undecided voters at this point is expected,” said Heather Fralick, a political science professor at Cascadia Community College. “Most voters will not start paying attention to the race until late October when they receive their voters guide and mail from the candidates.”

“Our endorsed candidates - Chris Eggen, Janet Way, and Jesse Salomon - are in a great position to win,” stated Carin Chase, Chair of the 32^nd District Democrats. “They are all out in the community knocking on doors, speaking out against development at Point Wells, and supporting our shared Democratic values.”

The 32^nd District Democrats meet the second Wednesday of every month at the Shoreline Masonic Center at 185^th and Linden. In October, the District will discuss upcoming ballot initiatives. Information about the meeting, and the District’s endorsed candidates can be found at its website: www.32democrats.org.

For further information contact Carin Chase at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 425 775-0600

The telephone poll was conducted on Thursday, September 22, 2011. 269 registered voters completed the poll.  All results have a 5.9% margin of error.

Questions:

Among the following list of 5 issues, which do you think is the most important issue that the City of Shoreline should address?

Economic Development – 24%

Environment and Tree Canopy – 10%

Pedestrian Safety and Sidewalks – 21%

Point Wells – 17%

Traffic Safety – 20%

Other – 8%

Do you believe the best approach toward the development at Point Wells is to negotiate an agreement on limiting the size of the proposed development or to pursue litigation against the developer?

Negotiate Agreement – 38%

Pursue Litigation – 28%

Unsure – 34%

Would you support a proposal to ban disposable shopping bags in the City of Shoreline?

Support - 48%

Oppose – 52%

Gender

Female – 60%

Male – 40%

Party

Democrat – 38%

Republican – 17%

Independent – 43%

Other Party – 2%

Age

Under 35 – 3%

35-45 – 9%

45-55 – 19%

55-65 – 19%

over 65 – 50%

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