Rob McFarland and Mary Miller are both running to become the next mayor of North Bend. With the Nov. 7 election approaching, the Valley Record reached out to both candidates to ask about their priorities and why they deserve your vote. Their responses are below.
Basic info:
Miller:
Occupation: Photographer
Education: Bachelors in Telecommunications Engineering from Michigan State University
Elected Experience: North Bend City Councilmember since 2020
McFarland
Occupation: Mayor of North Bend; Business Consultant
Education: Bachelors in Natural Resources; Masters in Public Administration
Elected Experience: Mayor of North Bend since 2020
Tell us about yourself and why you’re running for mayor?
Miller:
I am a 32 year resident of North Bend and mom of two wonderful and successful young adults. I began my career as a photojournalist and to this day am a visual storyteller as a freelance photographer. I was a City of North Bend photographer for 10 years until becoming an elected official. I also have worked part time in traffic and safety. I have been on local projects through the last seven years, seeing real time the process of updating watermain projects, asphalt overlays, emergency repairs as well as utility, sidewalk, and crosswalk improvements. I have seen what North Bend looks like from the below ground on up. As a lifelong learner, I have blended both jobs in a way to gain different and valuable perspectives of how local governance is run while collecting historical images from aerial, community events, portraiture of local families, and construction imagery. I am a team builder, relationship builder, avid researcher, and creative thinker. I spent five years on planning commission before joining city council. I am grateful and appreciative to have the opportunity to serve the community. I love and cannot thank the residents enough for their trust. I believe that my leadership is one that puts the people first. I’m willing to hear and value what each and every one of you have to say while going forward to make decisions for the future of North Bend. I am prepared and ready to lead as your Mayor with respect and integrity.
McFarland:
This summer marked our 26th year in North Bend. Our daughters were raised here. My wife, Roberta, recently retired as Director of the locally well-known Camp Waskowitz Outdoor Education Center. My time is now almost exclusively devoted to serving as your mayor. Before becoming mayor, I volunteered my time and expertise to both City Parks and Planning Commissions; the Meadowbrook Farm Preservation Association; the Encompass Board; and the Snoqualmie Valley School Foundation.
I built and operated an organic cotton clothing company and later oversaw various building projects – like parks, trails, and homes including price restricted affordable homes. I retired from home building prior to running for mayor to avoid any potential conflict of interest. I am running for reelection to continue applying my experience, knowledge, and leadership abilities for the betterment of the community I love. I’m always available to answer questions or to just listen and learn.
If elected, what would your top three priorities be?
Miller: My top three priorities include public safety, affordable workforce/senior housing and infrastructure.
McFarland: (1)Meeting citizen’s expectations for high levels of service provided by our police and emergency fire and medical service. Policing services have had a hard go of it the past several years due both to vacancies on the force and to state legislature and court actions making it hard to do their job. I’m pleased to say that North Bend has police officers specifically assigned to our city and while getting back to full force has been a challenge, we are closing in on being fully staffed. A shining light has also been the exemplary service we receive under our contract with Eastside Fire and Rescue. Our teams of local fire fighters and emergency responders consistently receive high marks for responsiveness, professionalism, and quality service.
(2)Continue to build and maintain healthy and quality infrastructure . I am very proud that council approved multiple projects that I proposed during my first term. We worked effectively together to adopt a water conservation policy that included replacement of nearly all water meters in town and hundreds of feet of aging, leaking asbestos lined water mains. We doubled down on trail and sidewalk programs when council adopted the proposed “gap” program which included extending the trail along North Bend Way and added signalized crossings at both Stilson and Maloney Grove Avenues on Cedar Falls Way, to a vigorous program of repairs including downtown and the Forster Woods and Si View neighborhoods. This spring we will complete the construction of our $30 million-plus new sewer treatment plant, a milestone achievement decades overdue. Three new traffic improving roundabouts have also been completed in the past few years. We’re only getting started on improving your safe passage in town, whether walking, biking, or riding.
(3)Continue attracting businesses and services that meet the needs of our residents. One of the few pleasures I get is the honor of attending the ribbon cutting opening for new businesses, and I’ve done over a dozen this year alone. Both merchants new to town and expansions by existing business owners have been strong the past few years. I am continually working to support them while facilitating bringing the services we are still in need of. The ribbon cutting at the end of that process is the easy step, yet it belies the work done by so many to create the right conditions that bring new jobs and new services to town. Central to a strong local economy is finding the right mix of regulations, opportunities, and yes, even housing choice to ensure our merchants can thrive and meet your needs for decades to come.
What issue or issues do you see as the most significant challenge facing North Bend over the next four years? Tell us why you are uniquely qualified to handle or find a solution to these issues.
Miller: One of the most impactful issues facing North Bend in the next four years is finding the balance of traffic and overbuilding. With new projects such as Traverse Apartments (formerly River Run Apartments) and the 212-unit Dahlgren property not yet completed, the amount of vehicles and pedestrians in this east part of North Bend will be impactful, to say the least. The developers involved with both of these large properties have created two roundabouts that are very much needed infrastructure going forward. As current chair of Transportation and Public Works Committee, I will stay vigilant on upcoming projects such as a left turn lane onto Cedar Falls Way which will help in moving traffic safely through the area. As Mayor, I will encourage our council to take utmost care and thoughtfulness in every action they take. There are currently few amenities in this area which could push traffic back onto I-90 with people entering North Bend off of Exit 31. Staying ahead of the problem with creating new infrastructure to meet the needs of our growing city is absolutely crucial and I will continue to support city staff in their endeavors as I have been during the last four years. The seeking of numerous grants to do bridge repair and improvements, road repair and potential new road design is definitely helping and I plan to inspire the continuation of that.
Finding solutions to affordable work force housing and senior housing is an incredibly important issue that I intend to delve into with an open mind. We have to focus on the solution, not the problem. The fine people who serve our community in the service industry, police force, teachers, and essential workers are coming from Kent, Auburn, Covington and beyond. These people are driving long distances, paying high gas prices, often in stressful driving situations to work hard for us. Meanwhile, many right here, struggling to continue to work hard every day are quickly being squeezed out of their beloved city. Many seniors are struggling on fixed income that is shrinking in our economic times. We have seen how Habitat for Humanity built housing for seven families in Tyler Town in downtown North Bend with quality and care. To address the monumental need for affordable work force and senior housing going forward we need to consider creative strategies such as affordable housing initiatives, incentives to developers, community land trusts, zoning and regulations changes.
McFarland: One of the most significant challenges facing us in the next four years is to ensure that our seniors on fixed incomes, that have lived here all their lives, are not priced out of our community and that the work force that we depend on can afford to live here. Affordable, attainable workforce housing is a huge challenge we must meet. Another significant challenge is to ensure fiscal sustainability. We need to have a leader that understands sources of revenue, restrictions on use, expenditure constraints – everything that goes into budgets and what it takes to make sure we have appropriate revenues to meet the expenditures required for the expectations of service from our citizens. I have the necessary experience and expertise in both areas.
Housing in our community has become unaffordable for many – including service workers, first responders, law enforcement and teachers. What policies or ideas would you support to address this?
Miller: [Editor’s note: The Valley Record only received answers to the first three question from candidate Mary Miller. Multiple efforts were made to reach Miller and get answers to the remaining questions.]
McFarland: Meeting the needs of low to moderate income families and our senior citizens is perhaps the most difficult task facing us today, and we must find ways to improve housing options for all. We do not have enough modest cost housing to meet our needs and too many of the existing modest cost housing is in poor shape. As I’ve visited with residents in apartments, condos, townhomes, as well as senior homeowners around town, I hear from them the struggle to make ends meet as living expenses have increased significantly these past few years. I have also spent a lot of time in workshops, committees, and meeting one on one with other leaders exploring options for improving on this gap.
I’ve come to believe several things. One, we can make a difference, and to do so means elected policy makers must commit real dollars directly into projects. Two, the “toolbox” of choices is big. Our city commitment can take many and multiple forms including direct land purchases, reduced or waived building fees, relief from some code requirements (such as the degree of building finishes), or tax abatement among others. By policy makers, I mean the state legislature, the King County Council and right here at home, our North Bend Council. With the input of experts, council will decide if we invest in our seniors and underserved or not.
There is good news and hope. Over the past four years we have done the due diligence. Council adopted my proposal to accept the state offer to share sales tax revenue dedicated to affordable housing. That fund has grown to over a million dollars, and now is the time to leverage it to get one or more affordable home projects in place, if the community supports this effort. We have shown we can help with the success of the Habitat for Humanity project. It may also be time to dust off the concept vision for a new senior citizen center and housing project that I first presented to Council when I was still a Planning Commissioner. There are a few ideas percolating and a few interested partners. I’m interested in finding solutions to this complex issue, and I’m hoping you will continue to support me as we move toward finding ways of making North Bend more livable for all.
Do you believe North Bend’s downtown-core is healthy and successful? What improvements could be made to help businesses thrive?
Miller:
McFarland: Yes. I believe our downtown core is healthy and successful overall and gaining nearly every month. One of the pleasures I get is the honor of attending the ribbon cutting opening for new businesses, and I’ve done over a dozen this year alone. Both merchants new to town and expansions by existing business owners have been strong the past few years.
I am continually working to support them while facilitating bringing the services we are still in need of. The ribbon cutting at the end of that process is the easy step, yet it belies the work done by so many to create the right conditions that bring new jobs and new services to town. Central to a strong local economy is finding the right mix of regulations, opportunities, and yes, even housing choice to ensure our merchants can thrive and meet your needs for decades to come.
There are also a few specific projects I intend to see through including rebuilding McClennen alley (what you know as the alley between the depot park and businesses), the depot park itself into a vibrant, well used space, and increased street parking for patronage of downtown businesses. All these improvements will add to the success of downtown businesses.
How are you currently involved in the community?
Miller:
McFarland:
I am fully engaged on a daily basis as your mayor. In addition to my regular mayoral duties with council and running the administration, I represent the city at numerous community functions, with state and county leaders, and on regional government committees. If you follow the City of North Bend on social media you will quickly get a flavor of the engagement expected of a mayor on a regular basis.
Whenever possible my wife, Roberta, and I do take in community events like our Farmers Market, North Bend Art and Industry events, Blues & Jazz Walks, etc. And we tend to both attend and support annual giving celebrations for many of our not-for -profit organizations.
How would you balance the need for economic development and more housing with sustainability and preserving our community’s small-town feel?
Miller:
McFarland:
Balancing the need and timing of building new infrastructure is an almost weekly conversation between staff and your elected officials. A common misconception is that new infrastructure should be built before new homes are built. This frequently is mentioned related to roads and traffic, so let me use that as an example.
If we built before new homes and businesses were underway, you, the current resident, would pay the higher taxes to finance those improvements. In Washington, our laws are set up to ensure that the builder, whether new home or business, pays their share to offset any increase in traffic. Often, they are required to build specific features such as widened roads, intersection improvements, walkways, and trails. They also pay “impact fees” for each new home or square footage of buildings built. Those fees are based on the list of city identified transportation improvement projects (TIP), required to be approved by council, that is used to calculate the fee.
Finally, by thoughtfully accommodating the required growth, we are eligible for federal, state, and regional grants to make these improvements. In fact, most of the money spent bringing new trails, sidewalk connections, and road improvements comes from grant money we are able to bring back to the community from tax dollars you paid out in income, fuel, and sales taxes. The same is true for other infrastructure including sewer, water, and storm treatment facilities.
Tell us about your professional experience and how it would benefit the city
Miller:
McFarland: When I moved to North Bend 26 years ago, I owned and operated the largest international catalog of organic cotton clothing. After selling my business I worked for other small businesses, Fortune-100 companies and built another successful small business of my own. Both in private employment and now as the chief executive of the City of North Bend, I’ve led teams of dozens of smart, dedicated and committed professionals; and I’ve built, executed and been accountable for budgets in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
In your opinion, is the city headed in the right direction? If yes, what is it doing well? If not, what needs to change?
Miller:
McFarland:
Yes. Our businesses are growing and expanding. I’ve participated in over a dozen ribbon cuttings in this past year alone. These are businesses choosing North Bend because they see opportunity. Our Downtown Foundation now has an office in the train depot building at Taylor Park as well as their first executive director. The arts are flourishing with the opening of North Bend Art and Industry’s first art studio. Our parks and trails have been and are being upgraded and expanded.
Public communications have been enhanced and expanded so constituents are aware of all aspects of city life and opportunities to participate. Housing choices are improving. Support for our human service agencies, who care for our most vulnerable, has grown. We reached an agreement with Sallal Water Association to ensure a more reliable water system. Our three-year formal water conservation program is reaping benefits.
Transportation and infrastructure improvements have moved forward significantly. Our connectivity projects and roundabouts have increased your safety and have improved the movement of traffic throughout the city. Our all-new Wastewater Treatment Plant is set for completion early next year.
We do have work to do in other areas. With residential building winding down, we need to make sure we take time to pause and reflect on next steps. There are plenty of opportunities for input, so please participate in the decision-making process as we go forward.
What is your greatest achievement in elected office? How did it improve North Bend?
Miller:
McFarland: After nearly two decades of on again off again negotiations between the City and the Sallal Water Association, we were able to reach agreement. It tested the best of my skills and energy, but on June 6 this year, following the Sallal Board approval, Council voted unanimously to approve the Resolution authorizing me to sign an agreement for the wholesale supply of domestic water to Sallal and mitigation water to the City. We had a signing ceremony with the Sallal Board that night!
It was a pivotal moment in my four years of service as your mayor. With a fully approved and signed Water Supply Agreement, the City and Sallal will be able to meet the water needs of all residents and property owners in our respective service areas, while also meeting mitigation requirements for the Snoqualmie River. By sharing water, the two entities help ensure a more reliable water system with guaranteed availability and the support for future community planning requirements under Washington State’s Growth Management Act. It’s a good solution that maintains Sallal as an independent business while both of us meet public requirements as water districts.
