Mark Lundsten on the issues

Q: Long term County public health role for the coronavirus pandemic?

A: Skagit County’s primary role in the pandemic is to realistically assess it and act accordingly, not to play politics. We need to continue to coordinate our efforts with the state’s and then, along with other counties and the state, work with our newly elected federal officials to establish a national strategy of testing, contact tracing, and then an effective vaccination program.

Q: County response for the long-term economic impact, both expenditures and tax revenues?

A: As we endure the inevitable budget effects of COVID, we need clear priorities – to keep our staff employed and also to be financially efficient, to get as much bang for the buck as possible. I think the County’s most important role is facilitating regional resources to those who have suffered most to help them find jobs and housing, as well as mental health services.

Q: Ongoing County support to residents and businesses get through the pandemic?

A: Our long-term goal should be resilience. For example, if we cannot count on high levels of timber sales for revenue, we need to work with DNR and other counties to figure out what we can use. The state has enough wealth and resources to accomplish this. Our job is to supply the ingenuity and political will.

Q: How does County government best position the county for 2050?

A: The best path to 2050 is like the recipe for enduring COVID: we need to be realistic about the challenges we face. Specifically, we need to address global warming. Every other thing we do relies on doing that. One example of a way to start is to help develop a public works program modeled on the CCC with the purpose of providing green energy and technology.

Equally essential to a healthy 2050 is keeping our democratic institutions vital by maintaining transparent deliberation and a healthy, open public process. The damage done to our society by the belligerent rhetoric of our president has to be repaired with honest discourse. Good government requires we follow that course.

Short biography

My family and I have a stake here, and in our future. I will bring a confident, fresh perspective and a record of honest commitment and success to Skagit County.

Information: MarkLundsten.org.