Lack of Interest in Lakewood City Council Candidacy or Are the Incoming Candidates Strong Enough?

Call it a lack of political interest. Call it a dearth of passionate local government leaders. Or, call it a trustworthy pair of local residents the community believes will continue to manage the city's budget and other challenges related to the suburban Pierce County community of 60,000.

Before February, Paul Bocchi and Marie Barth weren't intending on campaigning for one of three seats up for election on the Lakewood City Council. After all, unseating incumbents Walter Neary, Claudia Thomas and Deputy Mayor Don Anderson would have been difficult at best.

But then something happened.

Like a domino effect, Neary—who earned his political position during a period when local groups criticized Lakewood as being a "tax and spend city" eight years ago—chose to step down at the end of his second four-year term. His decision, however, wasn't as unexpected as Thomas' withdrawal.

Patch exclusively reported earlier that was finished, at least for now, and Thomas announced from being an elected public official more than a month ago.

Anderson was one of only three Lakewood Councilmembers to file for re-election, leaving two spots wide open for the community. But like other cities around the state—there were only 24 contested positions out of 84 city and town races, while nearly a dozen drew more than two candidates—Lakewood residents showed little interest in running for office.

Except for Bocchi and Barth, who both said they weren't planning on challenging any of the incumbents. Neary and Thomas had a combined 24 years of experience.

Neary, who blogged a question asking if City Council candidates running unopposed is a good or a bad thing, suggested also that this could be the strongest council ever in terms of breadth and the versatility of what each person brings to the dais.

While a political race brings out competing ideas between candidates, Bocchi and Barth said they will continue to campaign and attend candidate forums like the one scheduled at the Tillicum Community Center next month. The degree to which they will be doorbelling and lobbying around town remains to be seen.

Lakewood Mayor Douglas Richardson said the reason no one decided to campaign against the incoming councilmembers could have more to do with the strength of the candidates.

"Where's there contentious issues with the city councils and where they are going, those communities have more not just one person but several people racing in order to seek office," Richardson said.

While Lakewood shares its own set of problems related to transportation, an ongoing budget crisis at the city and school district level and public safety, the current City Council has proven to be a group that has managed the various issues in a cordial fashion.

"I'm very pleased they were willing to run for City Council," Richardson said. "They are very capable. I look forward to working with them."

Paul Bocchi

Lakewood resident Paul Bocchi was ready for competition. Having already held a number of fundraiser and preliminary campaign events, he had gone into the filing period expecting a primary.

But as time wore on, Bocchi became the only interested candidate in landing Lakewood City Council position No. 7, held by Neary, whose term expires at the end of the year.

"I've gone through it in my mind why folks wouldn't run," Bocchi said. "There's a lot of reasons. I don't know if there's any huge issues right now. There's not passionate issues like in the past. It's a tough time for local governments to meet budgets."

Tightened budgets certainly aren't the kinds of emotional issues that will pack a City Council chamber, but that's not going to stop Bocchi from trying to make a lasting impact. He's been a budget analyst for the Pierce County Council since 2006 and previously worked at Commercial Banks as a loan officer and in loan review. He was elected a County Councilmember in 2003, demonstrating a background in local government politics.

"I don't have any other hobbies," Bocchi jokingly said about being good stewards of the city's funds and attempting to do more with a smaller city budget. "I don't fish, hunt and I'm a horrible golfer. I like public policy."

Bocchi has a bachelor's degree in economics and accounting, graduating from Western Washington University in 1985. He graduated from Pacific Coast Banking School in 2001. He has three children who all attend Clover Park schools and is married to a Lakes High School graduate.

"What do we want to do and how do want to do it and how do we want it (Lakewood) to look over the next 10 years?" Bocchi rhetorically asked. "Determining that direction is what I want to work on and continue to push the city in the right direction."

Bocchi believes there are plenty of challenges. A few include:

• Shoreline plan update—Each local government will be working with the state to manage its shoreline master plan with new changes.
• City budget—The budget flattened this year. Elected officials prefer growth in city finances to fund more capital projects and not having to rely as heavily on local government grants to begin construction of transportation projects and other work.
• Supporting neighborhood pockets like Lake City and Oakbrook with a stronger non-motorized transportation plan.

Bocchi said his campaign will be more subtle knowing that he's not going to shut down everything, because people out there won't know who he is.

"I think in some ways I do people a disservice not talking about something. I still feel like I should be introducing myself to voters."

Marie Barth

Incoming Lakewood Councilwoman Marie Barth has a strong background in small businesses, a unique quality among the current council. Barth has owned a small business in Lakewood for 25 years. One of the No. 1 things she's pushing for is attracting more people and businesses into Lakewood.

A fiscally conservative politician, Barth said the city needs to ensure it is protecting property values of Lakewood homeowners and continuing to improve the quality of public education.

"We're struggling with a reputation with our schools but we've since had a change in school direction," Barth said. "Debbie (LeBeau, district superintendent) is doing a great job but I know we can do better."

Barth served as president of Women's Council of Realtors, was the director of Tacoma-Pierce County Association of Realtors and is a Lakewood arts commissioner. She's licensed through the Washington State Bar Association as a Limited Practice Officer.

"The City of Lakewood faces vital issues including attracting businesses, creating jobs, safe parks, better transportation flow, creating opportunities for our youth and quality housing for people at all income levels," Barth said in a written statement. "Despite challenges, I remain committed to being a good employer and citizen of Lakewood. My business experience and training will be assets to the City Council."

With the exit of Thomas—arguably the most well-respected member on the City Council—Barth was ready to toss her hat into the ring.

She was the only one willing to jump in.

"I intend to campaign just as if somebody was running against me," Barth said. "That's the fair thing to do."

Barth attends St. Frances Cabrini church in Lakewood and is preparing to celebrate 40 years of marriage. She has two kids and three grandchildren.