As former leaders and long-time public servants of the City of Lynnwood, we urge you to vote for George Hurst for Mayor.
The city and community cannot afford another 4 years of Christine Frizzell as Mayor. We have witnessed firsthand the incumbent’s incompetence and the damage she has done during her one term as Mayor.
What distinguishes George from Christine are several things. George has a positive vision for Lynnwood’s future. Christine does not. George is open and collaborative. Christine works alone without input from the community or staff. George builds relationships and trust. Christine doesn’t care about relationships or trust. Long time and experienced City employees have left because of the toxic workplace. As a three-term Council Member, George has a proven track record of fiscal responsibility. Christine, on the other hand, is responsible for creating a $21 million budget hole that will lead to massive cuts in services to the community.
Here are a few more examples of her poor leadership:
- The Mayor recently proposed another tremendous increase in City Property taxes. During her four-year term, City property taxes will have gone up 158%.
- She has imposed a hiring freeze, leaving the Lynnwood Police with 20 vacancies.
- She has ignored City hiring practices for leadership positions. She relied on petty biases, instead of hiring based on talent.
- She has gutted the Lynnwood Senior Center to correct her fiscal mismanagement.
We appeal to the Lynnwood community to recognize the long-term harm caused by this leadership vacuum. Please join us as we call for accountability, transparency, and a renewed commitment to the city’s residents and taxpayers by voting for George Hurst, Mayor of Lynnwood.
Sincerely,
- Art Ceniza, former City Administrator
- Lynn Sordel, former Parks Department Director
- Paulette Revoir, former Municipal Court Administrator
- Karen Fitzthum Rebbe former Procurement Manager/City Clerk
- Lisa Harrison former City Council Executive Assistant
- Tammy Bodmer former Human Resources Administrative Assistant
- Ted Hikel former City Council Member
- Jim Smith former City Council Member
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
6 Responses
Ceniza and Sordel, leaders???? How bout crybaby’s who left on their own, Ceniza with an 80,000 payout to go away. Now he cares about city finances?? Hurst is a terrible choice partly responsible for the financially failed community help center costing Lynnwood millions. Quit with the crying and finger pointing.
The council decides the budget and the mayor executes it… So how exactly is the mayor responsible for the council approving a budget with a shortfall?
Because the Mayor is 100% responsible for preparing the city’s budget. She and her team prepared the forecast and how the money would be spent. Hurst voted against the proposed budget.
Council is responsible for approving the budget. Get your facts straight.
Mayor Frizzell is the CEO of the city. She is 100% responsible for the city’s fiscal calamity. Council does NOT prepare the city’s Biennial budget. Frizzell created a budget that had numerous flaws including financial forecasts that were terribly unrealistic (given the current state of the Federal, State and local economies.). She gambled with these forecasts and also did not request any reductions or cost analysis from her department heads. It was a “what do you need” message and her minions responded with many new programs, employees and costs. As a result, her gamble has resulted in layoffs, reductions inn city services (with more to come in early 2026,). She already raised the property tax and is seeking more from every business and homeowner. She claims to be a “numbers” expert. Well, it’s not funny that she has placed the city in its worst financial condition in its history. Hurst has his flaws, but did point out some of the serious forecast flaws and the budgetary issues he and the rest of Council were presented by the Mayor. Council does not prepare any budget. That is 100% the responsibility of the Mayor, the CEO of the City. Do not be fooled by Frizzell’s messages. She needs to go because if she is retained, the city could end up drastically cutting more essential services the community supports. Hurst will have his work cut out for him, but he will listen and take responsibility from day one. Lynnwood, it’s time to dump Frizzell, who single handedly has created the worst financial situation in the city’s history. A vote for George Hurst is the right thing to do.
I disagree on endorsing Hurst. Does the finance director bear any responsibility?? Fail.
The City’s Finance Director created the flawed financial forecasts. But, the Mayor approved them and they were then submitted to the Council for their approval. These forecasts, plus unbelievable spending without any restraints created the worst financial situation the city has ever experienced. The “Perfect Financial Storm” is 100% the Mayor’s fault. She is the city’s CEO and allowed this horrible situation to manifest itself.
Some Council members questioned the forecasts and spending issues, but only Decker and Hurst actually pressed hard to get the budget changed. This mess was cost the community dearly which is why Frizzell should be voted out. She claims to be a “numbers” person. Sadly that is not the case.