LYNNWOOD—From a total of 19 applicants vying to fill the Lynnwood City Council Position 5 vacancy, formerly held by Julieta Altamirano-Crosby, the Council on February 10 selected 8 the final candidates to interview on Tuesday, February 18, during the regularly scheduled Work Session. The City Council will vote at a Special Business Meeting on Thursday, February 20, to select the successful candidate who will serve until November 2025.
![Lynnwood City Council vacancy](https://lynnwoodtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/final8-1024x538.jpg)
Altamirano-Crosby resigned voluntarily on January 6, 2025, to commence her new role as a Snohomish County Public Utility Commissioner after a successful bid for the seat in November 2024. In her letter of resignation addressed to Lynnwood residents, Altamirano-Crosby stated she looks forward continuing “the values of honesty, integrity, and transparency” to her new role as Snohomish County PUD Commissioner.
Altamirano-Crosby also added that she hopes whoever is selected to hold her former seat, that person will continue to serve as a “channel” for the “hopes and dreams” for the people of Lynnwood.
To introduce you to the 8 candidates selected by the City Council, Lynnwood Times included their answers (in its entirety) to the two questions on their applications and performed a basic search to share a little more between-the-lines of each candidate for the public. The candidates below are featured in random order.
Lynnwood City Council Vacancy Candidate: Forrest Baum
![Forrest Baum](https://lynnwoodtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/forrest.jpg)
- Other Elected Office: No records of any elected office.
- Voter Registration Status: Shows “active” and Lynnwood resident.
- Election Contribution (Lynnwood Related): None.
- Social Media: Appears to be a sci-fi buff, has a lot of funny satirical memes on Facebook, loves cycling, supporter of police abolitionist Nicole Thomas-Kennedy for City Attorney of Seattle, supporter of Seattle City Council and Mayoral candidate Nikkita Oliver who was an organizer for Seattle’s No Youth Jail and Black Lives Matter movements, supports pro-climate change causes.
- Secretary of State Corporation: None.
- Other:
Why are you interested in serving as a Lynnwood City Councilmember?
I want to be a Councilmember to use my skills to do the most for our city.
Lynnwood is a thriving, richly diverse, and supportive community, surrounded by beauty. I know we have challenges such as livability, sustainability, and easing our growing pains. We also have great opportunities to improve as we meet our goals.
I want to find ways we can tackle the issues before us, so that Lynnwood’s benefits are shared among newcomers, long-time residents, and visitors alike. I also find it important to consider all angles, in order to make sure a solution is the correct one.
I’m able to speak to people from a wide variety of backgrounds and really listen to many points of view. I already speak to people at City Council meetings with many varied viewpoints, and I listen and respond respectfully.
I’m highly detailed, able to work through dense and complicated topics to find the core issue. This allows for a solid bedrock that everything can be built on top of.
Finally, I work well with others, doing my best to share more than I receive. I want to put my skills to use, through collaborating to find common ground and mutually beneficial answers.
Explain your current and past community involvement, service to the City, and/or any relevant experience that would make you an excellent candidate for the Lynnwood City Council. You may include experience with a non-profit, or public board, committee, task force, or commission and how this has contributed to your community or region.
On daily walks, I clean up our parks and neighborhoods, and have jumped in to help our school’s Parent Teacher Organization when we needed board members and work done. I offered to be our representative with the Edmonds PTA Council to share ideas among with the wider community, and have taken on volunteer jobs for our school events supporting students and teachers.
I continue to organize community cleanups where parents and kids can both be of service and socialize. I have worked with people of all ages and abilities at the Outdoors for All Foundation over the last two years, helping them overcome challenges to get outside and be active.
I also joined a local biking safety and advocacy group, moving up to Co-Chair and now President of North Sound Bicycle Advocates. Our group coordinates a “Bike Rodeo” for kids at the Fair on 44th, and we helped start the “Let’s Go” bike safety classes for kids. That program started in the Edmonds School District, and was such a success that it has now been taken state-wide. We participate in Bike to School days, and aim to help parents and kids alike break free from the School Pickup Line.
I find myself looking for stories and viewpoints from people who should be included, and my work on accessibility has been eye-opening. I have previously partnered with blind community members to canvass businesses and discover their priorities in order to advocate for accessible improvements. One great example of learning from others is widening efforts in my advocacy to prioritize walking over biking.
Finally, I have experience on multiple boards, having worked on grants and helping multiple groups become 501(c)3 nonprofits. I have experience communicating clearly and effectively. Importantly, I do my homework and reading on the topics at hand to prepare for meetings, and put in the effort to make those meetings as painless as possible.
Lynnwood City Council Vacancy Candidate: Nazanin “Naz” Lashgari
![naz lashgari](https://lynnwoodtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/naz.jpg)
- Other Elected Office: No records of any elected office. Former candidate for Lynnwood City Council (2019 and 2021) and vied for the Democratic seat to fill the Snohomish County Council vacancy left by the resignation of Stepanie Wright (2022).
- Voter Registration Status: Shows “active” and Lynnwood resident. Last voted in November 2024 Election
- Election Contribution (Lynnwood Related): Donated $100 to Mayor Frizzell campaign in 3/24/2021. She was on a Lynnwood Forward political slate for City Council with now-Council President Nick Coelho.
- Social Media: Facebook shows a supporter of human rights causes, supports feminist causes (Feminist News), shares a lot of Travel Guru and Democratic political donor Rick Steves posts, wholesome photos of family and scenes around the Puget Sound.
- Secretary of State Corporation: L’HERBE DE SEATTLE LLC, administratively dissolved 2018.
- Other:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/naz-lashgari-7a799b1b/
- Naz Lashgari throws her hat in the ring for open District 3 seat – Lynnwood Times
- Naz Lashgari new Lynnwood Planning Commissioner – Lynnwood Times
- Council appointee faces former DEI chair and former mayor | HeraldNet.com
- Lynnwood Forward slate’s campaign kicks off
Why are you interested in serving as a Lynnwood City Councilmember?
I am deeply committed to serving the Lynnwood Community and have demonstrated this through my past contributions to our City.
I was honored to help establish the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission and launch the ” All Are Welcome” campaign, which has become a defining symbol of our city’s identity and values.
My work on the Planning Commission further reflects my dedication to ensuring that equity is embedded in City planning, including advocating for the inclusion of underrepresented communities in shaping Lynnwood’s future for the next 20 years.
The trust and support I received from more than 3,000 residents during my previous campaign reaffirm my connection with the community and my ability to represent their needs. While unforeseen health challenges required me to pause that campaign, my commitment to public service has only grown stronger.
As a Councilmember, I aim to make an even greater impact by addressing critical issues such as economic disparities and housing affordability. I believe that my experience, vision and passion for creating a more inclusive, equitable and thriving Lynnwood uniquely position me to serve effectively on the City Council. Together we can build a city that works for everyone.
I have a profound commitment to serving the Lynnwood community- a vibrant, diverse and rapidly growing city that I am proud to call home. My dedication to Lynnwood is tooted in my personal journey as a resident, my professional experiences, and my unwavering belief in the potential of this city and its people.
Over the years, I have taken deliberate actions to create lasting change in our community and I am eager to continue this work as a member of the Lynnwood City Council.
Lynnwood is at a pivotal moment in its history. As one of the fastest growing cities in Washington, we have opportunities and challenges that require visionary leadership. The arrival of Sound Transit’s light rail system is transforming our city into a regional hub, opening the door for further economic development, increased connectivity and new opportunities for residents. But with growth comes responsibility: we must ensure that this development benefits everyone in our community.
My vision is to create a Lynnwood where affordability, accessibility and equity are prioritized ensuring that all residents regardless of background, or circumstance can thrive here.
Serving as a City Councilmember would allow me to bring my unique perspective, lived experiences, and extensive background in leadership to the table. With over 25 years of experience in healthcare, I understand the importance of addressing the social determinants of health, housing, education, transportation and access to services which are all critical to building a healthy, thriving community.
My vision for Lynnwood is one of unity, opportunity, and shared prosperity. I want to be a councilmember of a city where every resident feels a sense of belonging and pride.
Explain your current and past community involvement, service to the City, and/or any relevant experience that would make you an excellent candidate for the Lynnwood City Council. You may include experience with a non-profit, or public board, committee, task force, or commission and how this has contributed to your community or region.
I am deeply honored to share my extensive experience and Commitment to the City of Lynnwood, which I have proudly served for the past seven years in various capacities.
With over 25 years of professional experience in healthcare, I have devoted my life to improving the well being of individuals and communities. My journey as a public servant and advocate has been marked by a deep passion for fostering equity, building strong relationships, and create systems that serve the diverse needs of our residents.
Currently, I work at a community health center in Lynnwood, which embodies my commitment to non profit service and my dedication to addressing the healthcare needs of our city’s most vulnerable populations. My role allows me to engage directly with individuals and families, offering not only medical care but also advocacy and support to ensure they receive the resources they need to thrive. This work has strengthened my understanding of the intersection between public health, social equity and community development.
One of the defining aspects of my service to Lynnwood has been my leadership in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion. As the Chair of the city’s DEI Commission I played an instrumental role in launching and establishing this vital body. Under my leadership we developed policies, programs and initiatives aimed at reducing barriers.
As a current member of the Lynnwood Planning Commission, I have had the privilege of helping shape the city’s future growth and development. This role has provided me the opportunity to understand critical issues such as zoning, housing, transportation, and land use. Through my work on the Planning Commission I have gained valuable experience in analyzing complex data and making decisions that balance economic growth with community well being.
I am proud to contribute to shaping a city that prioritizes affordable housing, accessible infrastructure and transportation for all its residents.
My work on the commission has further deepened my understanding of the long term planning and the need for policies that serve both the current and future generations.
In addition to my roles within the City of Lynnwood, I serve as a member of the Snohomish County Public Facilities District Board. This position has allowed me to contribute to regional efforts to manage and enhance public facilities that benefit our community. Public facilities play a crucial role in economic development, community engagement and quality of life, and I am proud to be part of this Board.
My commitment to the City of Lynnwood is deeply personal. For the past seven years I have served the City uninterrupted, despite facing my own health challenges. These experiences have only strengthened my resolve to give back and advocated for policies and programs that support all residents, especially those who face barriers to opportunity.
Lynnwood City Council Vacancy Candidate: Robert Leutwyler
![Robert Leutwyler](https://lynnwoodtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/robert.png)
- Other Elected Office: No records of any elected office. Former candidate for Lynnwood City Council (2023).
- Voter Registration Status: Shows“active” and Lynnwood resident.Last voted in November 2024 Election
- Election Contribution (Lynnwood Related): Donated $350 to Nick Coelho campaign on 3/32023 and 4/12/2023, Donated $30 to 32LD Democrats on 1/26/2023, Council President Nick Coelho donated $100 to Leutwyler’s 2023 City Council race.
- Social Media: Unable to find a Facebook profile.
- Secretary of State Corporation: None.
- Other:
Why are you interested in serving as a Lynnwood City Councilmember?
I am interested in serving on City Council to help tackle the challenges facing our city. I believe my combined educational and professional experience, including 5 years active duty service in the U.S. Army, and 5 years experience working at a Fortune 100, have equipped me to meet the demands of the office.
Residents have voiced their concerns about the quality and maintenance of the city’s roads, sidewalks, parks, and other infrastructure. I share their concerns: decades of deferred maintenance have not met residents’ needs, and are leading to an unsustainable maintenance debt that will disproportionately impact the younger generations.
Many Lynnwood residents are also passionately in favor of expanding and improving the city’s green spaces and tree canopy.
In the past, I have advocated for policies to help address this concern, and would continue to do so if selected for City Council. I believe the city should look at strategies like developing a Climate Action Plan. The city should embed trees and landscaping into our road and street design policies in order to improve pedestrian, cyclist, and motorist safety; help improve stormwater retention; and extend the lifespan of the roads which would benefit from the cooler temperatures and shade provided by the tree canopy.
I want to foster connected communities to improve the social fabric and quality of life within our neighborhoods. The city has a critical role to play here in prioritizing sidewalks and bike lanes so that residents can explore their city in a safe, accessible, and dignified way. We have practical but deeply meaningful ways to address our residents’ social, physical, and environmental needs.
I want to work with City Council as well as our regional, state, and federal governments to continue working on the housing crisis, and the challenges surrounding mental health and public safety.
Throughout every priority, I also have a commitment to sincere fiscal responsibility.
I believe residents want to see the city act as a force for good, but first and foremost want to trust that their city officials are acting as good stewards of their taxpayer dollars. To restore and maintain this trust, we need data-driven decisions focused on long-term vision rather than short-term motives. If selected, I am committed to that approach.
Explain your current and past community involvement, service to the City, and/or any relevant experience that would make you an excellent candidate for the Lynnwood City Council. You may include experience with a non-profit, or public board, committee, task force, or commission and how this has contributed to your community or region.
My civic engagement over the last few years, including on the Planning Commission, have helped me understand the priorities and challenges that Lynnwood faces. I believe my familiarity and involvement in the Comprehensive Plan update will help me quickly onboard onto the Council and hit the ground running.
Policies on topics like zoning or public works are the foundation for how the city will grow and evolve, and how we can help set up residents and businesses to succeed – or fail. I recognize the importance and impact, and this drives my commitment to crafting city policies that stop contributing to the housing affordability crisis, that stop making our roads unsafe, that stop imposing undue financial hardship on residents, entrepreneurs, and businesses.
Through my prior involvement in community cleanups, I have also heard directly from residents the urgent need for the city to refocus on ‘back to basics’: swift responses to graffiti, trash, and similar activities that are harming our communities and overwhelming our residents and local businesses.
Lynnwood City Council Vacancy Candidate: Marie MacCoy
![Marie maccoy](https://lynnwoodtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Marie-1.jpg)
- Other Elected Office: No records of any elected office.
- Voter Registration Status: Shows“active” and Lynnwood resident.Last voted in November 2024 Election.
- Election Contribution: Donated $35 to Association of Washington Business on 10/26/2022, Donated $100 to MASTER BUILDERS ASSC OF KING & SNO COUNTIES – AFFORDABLE HOUSING COUNCIL on 2/7/2020, 1/18/2019
- Social Media: Unable to find a Facebook profile.
- Secretary of State Corporation: MacCoy Home Solutions (Husband listed as governor), LLC, MacCoy Consulting (Marie is listed as governor of Behavioral Health Consultant business)
- Other:
Why are you interested in serving as a Lynnwood City Councilmember?
My husband and I moved to Lynnwood in 2013 and have been raising our two daughters in the Meadowdale area. We are small business owners and are committed to supporting a safe and healthy community.
With over 20 years as a social worker, specifically in community behavioral health, coupled with business and administrative management, I have a unique set of skills that may benefit the city council.
In addition to my career, raising my young family in this Lynnwood fuels my passion to support my community. At this time, I have the flexibility in my schedule to serve as a councilmember.
Explain your current and past community involvement, service to the City, and/or any relevant experience that would make you an excellent candidate for the Lynnwood City Council. You may include experience with a non-profit, or public board, committee, task force, or commission and how this has contributed to your community or region.
I am currently on the advisory board for the Social and Human Services department at Edmonds College, the advisory committee for the Community Justice Center and have recently joined the steering committee for the new Lynnwood Neighborhood Center.
I have over 20 years experience in social services leadership, primarily in behavioral health, throughout King County and Snohomish County.
My husband and I have also been small business owners in Lynnwood for over ten years as a General Contractor specializing in local residential remodels.
Lynnwood City Council Vacancy Candidate: Jessica Ann Roberts
- Other Elected Office: No records of any elected office.
- Voter Registration Status: Shows“active” and Lynnwood resident.Last voted in November 2020 Election, 4 years ago.
- Election Contribution: None.
- Social Media: Unable to determine her Facebook profile, if she had one.
- Secretary of State Corporation: None listed with a Jessica Roberts with a Lynnwood address.
Why are you interested in serving as a Lynnwood City Councilmember?
My goal as a City Councilmember is to focus on making our city safer for pedestrians and bicyclists to move about our city as I believe this will help significantly reduce our carbon footprint.
I also would like to focus our attention on zoning policy along Highway 99 to encourage more mixed use development near the SWIFT stops in line with the long-term strategy that was revised on November 22nd, 2021 on the website.
It is my opinion that increasing density along high capacity transit corridors, along with improving pedestrian and bicyclists safety in our city, will go a long way to increase the likelihood that discretionary dollars will stay in Lynnwood.
Explain your current and past community involvement, service to the City, and/or any relevant experience that would make you an excellent candidate for the Lynnwood City Council. You may include experience with a non-profit, or public board, committee, task force, or commission and how this has contributed to your community or region.
I’ve used my social media to encourage my followers to get involved in your municipal governments by following along with the council minutes, voting in your local elections and how the decisions made in those council meetings can make a massive difference for the issues that they are passionate about.
Lynnwood City Council Vacancy Candidate: Audrey Ann Tanberg
![Audrey Ann Tanberg](https://lynnwoodtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/audrey-1.jpg)
- Other Elected Office: No records of any elected office.
- Voter Registration Status: Shows“active” and Lynnwood resident.Last voted in November 2024 Election.
- Election Contribution: Donated to the 32LD Democrats, $32, 4/27/2023
- Social Media: Basic Facebook profile.
- Secretary of State Corporation: AUDREY TANBERG, LLC, voluntarily dissolved in 2023.
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreytanberg/
Why are you interested in serving as a Lynnwood City Councilmember?
I’m proud to call Lynnwood home as it’s a diverse and thriving city that offers so much to its residents. My family and I have lived here since 2015, and my wife’s family has been part of the community since 1990.
I appreciate so many things that our city has to offer, from the parks, the library, and community events to the wide variety of local businesses and restaurants. I know that Lynnwood has some negative public perception, and I’m eager to help change that in any capacity that I am able to.
There are so many positive aspects to Lynnwood that I feel deserve to be showcased, and I’ve often thought about creating social media accounts dedicated to highlighting the incredible businesses and community features that make Lynnwood unique.
I’m aware that many residents don’t feel safe in certain parts of the city. I want to be a part of the solution to make our neighborhoods safer and more welcoming for residents and visitors.
I’m committed to listening to residents’ concerns and advocating for policies that will improve public safety. As someone who is empathetic and a good listener, I take the responsibility of serving the community’s best interests seriously.
I’ve attended City Council meetings both in person and virtually, and I truly respect the work that our council members do.
It would be an honor to contribute to that work and give back to a city that has given so much to my family. I love living in Lynnwood, and I’m excited about the potential opportunity to serve on the City Council and help make it an even better place to live for all of us.
Explain your current and past community involvement, service to the City, and/or any relevant experience that would make you an excellent candidate for the Lynnwood City Council. You may include experience with a non-profit, or public board, committee, task force, or commission and how this has contributed to your community or region.
I’ve been involved in community service for many years, with a strong focus on volunteering and leadership roles. From 2018 to 2024, I volunteered as a Scout leader for Cub Scouts Pack 331, where I had the opportunity to lead by example and engage my children in meaningful community activities.
Some of the highlights of this role include:
- Volunteering with the Pack at Veterans Day and Memorial Day events at Veterans Park, where we helped with park clean-up and landscaping to prepare for the events and having the kids hand out flags and programs at the events. We also participated at the Evergreen Washelli Ceremony laying out flags prior to the Veterans Day ceremony. These experience not only brought pride to my family for helping the community, but also gave us a closer sense of connection to the park and the service members being honored at the events.
- Contributing to the beautification of the Mesika Trail behind City Hall by laying mulch on the pathway, a path I walk regularly to and from the pool and library and to walk my dog and with my kids while they catch Pokémon.
- Working alongside the Cub Scout Pack to remove invasive plants and to plant native plants at Maple Wood Park in Edmonds for three consecutive years.
- Participating in Christmas Caroling with the Cub Scouts for residents at Fairwinds Brighton Court Retirement Home and Pacifica Senior Living. My children and I enjoyed how much the resident loved having the kids visit, that independent of the Cub Scouts we started regularly volunteering at Aegis Living until 2020, where my children and I enjoyed spending time with the residents, playing games and coloring together.
Since 2024, both of my children transitioned from Cub Scouts to Scouts BSA, and I continue to serve as a Scout leader for their Troop. As part of my involvement, I attend monthly committee meetings to help guide and support the troop’s activities.
In addition to my work with Scouts, I’ve volunteered at my children’s school since 2016. For the past three years, I’ve been the lead volunteer for one of the booths at the school’s annual Halloween event, where I manage volunteers and coordinate supplies. Last year and again this year, I am the social media lead for the school play. I have also volunteered on the school’s Equity team since 2018 and I was on the Enrichment team in 2023/2024.
In 2017 and 2018 I gained valuable experience as a fill-in Precinct Committee Officer, delivering campaign materials to registered voters. This role allowed me to connect with a diverse group of people, listen to their concerns, and help direct them to the right resources and individuals who could address their questions.
These experiences have equipped me with the skills to listen to others, organize efforts, and lead community initiatives, all of which I’m excited to bring to the City Council to help serve Lynnwood residents.
Lynnwood City Council Vacancy Candidate: Rebecca “Becky” Ann Thornton
![rebecca Ann Thornton](https://lynnwoodtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/thorton.jpg)
- Other Elected Office: No records of any elected office.
- Voter Registration Status: Shows“active” and Lynnwood resident.Last voted in November 2024 Election.
- Election Contribution: None.
- Social Media: Basic Facebook profile. Promotes University of Washington.
- Secretary of State Corporation: None.
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-anne-thornton/
Why are you interested in serving as a Lynnwood City Councilmember?
As a Lynnwood resident for the past five years and a parent of young children, I have seen our city emerge as a safe, family-friendly community. I am committed to contributing to Lynnwood’s continued growth and prosperity while celebrating and supporting its diverse culture.
Explain your current and past community involvement, service to the City, and/or any relevant experience that would make you an excellent candidate for the Lynnwood City Council. You may include experience with a non-profit, or public board, committee, task force, or commission and how this has contributed to your community or region.
I am passionate about connecting people with valuable resources and fostering community growth. As Assistant Director at the University of Washington Consulting and Business Development Center, I support the growth of small, minority-, veteran-, LGBTQ+-, and women-owned businesses across Washington State.
My MBA from the UW Foster School of Business has further strengthened my expertise in fiscal management, event planning, and project management, which I apply to drive impactful initiatives.
While my official community involvement in Lynnwood has been limited due to moving to the city just before the COVID-19 pandemic and raising two young children, I have actively participated in events like the 44th Street Fair, organized my neighborhood’s National Night Out, and regularly engage in activities at the Lynnwood Recreation Center, including swim lessons for my kids.
I am particularly excited about the new Community Center on 196th Street and am eager to contribute to Lynnwood’s continued growth and support for its residents.
Lynnwood City Council Vacancy Candidate: Chelsea Deone Wright
![Chelsea Deone Wright](https://lynnwoodtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/chelsea.jpg)
- Other Elected Office: No records of any elected office.
- Voter Registration Status: Shows“active” and Lynnwood resident.Last voted in November 2024 Election.
- Election Contribution: None.
- Social Media: Basic Facebook profile. Promotes her sorority and seems to be a lover of life.
- Secretary of State Corporation: None listed with a Chelsea Wright with a Lynnwood address.
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-wright-6a194526a/
Why are you interested in serving as a Lynnwood City Councilmember?
I have resided in Lynnwood since December of 2012. I love this city. I also love the direction this city is heading. Being a resident and being able to be involved in local government is an honor. Having the opportunity to have a seat at the table of my city and directly impact the vision and goals of Lynnwood is an honor for an ordinary resident.
I am personally interested in serving as a Lynnwood City Council Member because it is my opportunity to bring a voice to the council that is opinionated, passionate, and has the best interest for Lynnwood at heart.
Being on the council will give me an opportunity of effect the day-to-day life of the residents of Lynnwood. Having conversations with my neighbors about what they are passionate about, or what they are unhappy with. Council members are not making decisions based on their own opinions, but we are representing the opinions of our residents.
Being on the council allows us to be heard. The perspective of our residents’ matters. We can speak up! Having council members with varied opinions is how democracy works. The more diverse perspectives are included in our political system, the more balanced approach would be.
Being on the City Council fosters community ownership. More and more cities are incorporating boards and structures to identify corruption and ensure programs are working correctly. This is an opportunity to reach our residents and encourage involvement in our great city.
As a council member, there is power in numbers. Council members can engage the community and explain why an issue is important to everyone.
Being on the council is an opportunity to serve. Council Members should be able to think federal but act local and local politics often set a president for movies on the state and national levels.
Again, having a seat at that table and fostering change at your local level is so important. There are so many reasons why I am interested in this position but holding our city leaders accountable for what they do and say starts locally.
Explain your current and past community involvement, service to the City, and/or any relevant experience that would make you an excellent candidate for the Lynnwood City Council. You may include experience with a non-profit, or public board, committee, task force, or commission and how this has contributed to your community or region.
Currently I serve on the DEI Commission for the City of Lynnwood. This is a position I serve with honor and integrity. Making sure Lynnwood is welcoming to all, and that those who do not feel they have a voice in our city, does.
Currently I work for the Great State of Washington In Labor & Industries as a Program Specialist within the WERC (Work Equity Research Center). The purpose of WERC is to work with communities to co-create research projects and develop solutions to improve workrelated outcomes for historically underserved workers. We center the voices for workers who have been and continue to be marginalized in occupational safety. I am their program specialist; I manage the research projects of 3 epidemiologists.
Before that I was Contract Specialist 2 for LNI. I performed journey level of professional contract administration with responsibility in negotiation and preparation of complex contacts, interagency agreements, leases and MOU’s to obtain goods and services for the agency. I sit on the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Employee Advisory Committee, where work on initiatives to make LNI more Diverse, Equitable, Inclusive and where everyone Belongs. We hold our leaders accountable for their actions.
I am also proud to be part of B.U.I.L.D, I am also part of the Women’s Resource Group, and the only Black Woman there. Since being at LNI, I have received three certifications: IDI Qualified Administrator, Diversity, and Equity & Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate from the University of So. Florida and the Lean Six Sigma White Belt, Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt, and Green Belt from.
In my personal life, I have sat on the Advisory Committee for the American Academy of Pediatrics, Early Hearing Detection & Intervention. I am a mom to a son who was born profoundly Deaf. My work on this committee helps other families, especially families of color, seek out resources and educational opportunities for their children. We want our children to be more successful than we ever were and when that child is Deaf, it can be overwhelming. Parents may not know where to turn. I know I struggled. However, I was able to find a private school for my younger and he thrived. He was the one of the first Black students at the school.
I am also a Philo Affiliate with the Zeta Phi Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho, Sorority Inc. We are out of Tacoma, and work with our friends in Sigma to promote their signature health, wellness, and educational programs throughout the south sound. I am also the Chapter President of Rho Sigma Alpha, Sorority Incorporated, Alpha Beta Chapter, Washington State.
![Lynnwood City Council vacancy](https://lynnwoodtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/final8-1024x538.jpg)
![Mario Lotmore](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6af51b4c33419aae5e15053a65084f33?s=96&r=pg&d=https://lynnwoodtimes.com/wp-content/plugins/userswp/assets/images/no_profile.png)
Author: Mario Lotmore
One Response
Knock knock. Hello?
Could you please fix this page so we can read all the candidates responses?
Thank you!