Stoicism: courage, temperance, justice, wisdom. Not just ideas—these are values. And Mukilteo Mayor Joe Marine lives them, every day he serves the city.
When the city’s finances were in chaos—when we couldn’t pass an audit, the finance director walked away, and no clear plan was in place—Joe stepped up. Under his leadership, we didn’t just recover; we moved forward. He brought in the right people, made hard decisions, and got Mukilteo back on track.
Not only did the city earn a triple-A credit rating—an honor few cities our size ever achieve—we also secured long-term investments and leveraged the recession to finance construction on favorable terms. The result: a new City Hall and the one-of-a-kind Rosehill Community Center.
Joe didn’t do this with fanfare or big promises. He did it by calmly steering the ship through rough water—when others were ready to abandon course.
This wasn’t luck. It was leadership.
Fast forward to today—new budget pressures, new uncertainty. While others said we needed drastic action, Joe didn’t overreact. He trusted the process, made targeted adjustments, reinstated the Long Range Financial Planning Committee, and stayed the course. He said: wait.
Good governance isn’t about extremes. It’s about doing the right thing, at the right moment, in the right way. Joe leads with discipline, not distraction.
Sometimes doing the right thing means standing alone. Joe has done that, too. When outside organizations moved to take control of our fire department, many stayed quiet. Joe didn’t. He stood up for local control—and for the people he represents—even when it meant going up against powerful interests. It would have been easier to let it go. But Joe believes leadership means defending our institutions and our way of life, even when it comes at personal and political cost.
Joe brings something else that’s rare in politics: the humility to listen and the discipline to learn. He doesn’t assume he knows everything. He asks questions, keeps an open mind, and surrounds himself with people who know their work. That kind of leadership turns challenges into opportunities—and it gets results.
I support Joe Marine for Mayor because I’ve seen what this kind of leadership looks like in real time. It’s not always loud. It’s not always easy. But it works.
When others hesitate, Joe steps forward. When the path is unclear, he finds his footing. That’s not just good politics—it’s sound leadership.
And that’s why Joe Marine has earned my vote.
Donna Vago, Mukilteo City Councilmember, Position No. 6
COMMENTARY DISCLAIMER: The views and comments expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the Lynnwood Times nor any of its affiliates.
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
