That’s where their similarities begin and end.
Cooper, 36, is the executive director of Together, a local nonprofit that works to prevent youth substance abuse and violence. He is the former chairman of the Thurston County Democrats, endorsed by many of the major political figures in the county and the recipient of more than $16,000 in campaign donations.
“I have a really strong working relationship with most of the elected officials in the region,” he said. “Most of my working experience is with nonprofits and government working together to make … positive outcomes for people and the environment.”
Tomlinson, 56, is an information technology professional who runs two businesses and works for another. He has agreed to raise no more than $5,000. He said he’s accepted campaign donations only from Olympia residents for no more than $100 or from special interest groups and has been funding his own campaign.
But he says his outsider status and business experience are assets.
“That’s what my focus is, on is being 100 percent the people’s candidate and not the politician’s candidate,” he said. “So I will truly be … obligated to no one” – except Olympia residents.
Whoever wins will serve what remains of the term – a little more than two years – in game of political musical chairs. Former Councilman Joe Hyer originally was elected to the term in 2009, but he resigned in 2010 and the council appointed Steve Langer to replace him. Langer is running for Position 2 to replace Councilman Craig Ottavelli, who isn’t running for re-election.
Cooper and Tomlinson have different takes on key issues facing the city – including the fragile economy and its impact on the city’s budget and the state of downtown.
City Manager Steve Hall has said he’s looking at layoffs and dipping into reserves to balance the proposed 2012 budget, which will be released next month. But he’s more worried about the budget in 2013.
Whoever’s elected to the council will help decide whether to put a tax increase on the ballot.
“Definitely if we are in the jeopardy of losing … essential city services … that focus on public safety, then I would support raising property taxes,” Cooper said. “But I’d like us to focus on trying to … increase our sales tax revenue and bring … more living wage jobs to the community.”
Tomlinson said he didn’t know about raising taxes. “I would definitely consider it if it were a good plan, maybe a utilities tax … maybe even a vehicle registration tab fee increase.”
If the city were to cut, Tomlinson suggested entitlements such as retirement benefits for city employees.
“But I don’t know about cutting, as much as doing more with what we have,” he said.
Improving downtown is another burning issue, one that fills city leaders’ inboxes and campaigners’ ears as they go door to door. Chronic inebriates, aggressive panhandlers and people sleeping on sidewalks are just some of the issues, particularly along Fourth Avenue.
The city is in the midst of an initiative to improve downtown. Options include a ban on some high-alcohol drinks, working with bars to prevent over-serving patrons, and declaring part of downtown blighted in order to buy derelict properties and sell them for redevelopment.
Both candidates said they like the city’s approach. One barrier to redevelopment is the cost of cleaning contaminated lots before building. Cooper suggested the city clean up selected contaminated lots “so that they could identify where they want development to happen right away.”
He also suggested suspending development fees “for a short period of time” to see if that would spur development, but only if that were to work in the city’s budget.
Tomlinson said the city needs a parking structure and for the downtown pay stations to be relocated to perhaps the Capitol Campus, and that the 90-minute free parking zone needs to be restored.
Both Cooper and Tomlinson support reinstating the downtown police walking patrol, which fell victim to the budget cuts of recent years.
On another blighted area, the downtown isthmus, Cooper said he supports installing a park. “It would be great if there was a trolley” that went to Tumwater Falls, he said. He suggested an active park, perhaps including an amphitheater.
Tomlinson said a park on the isthmus is an exciting idea and “we’ve got to get that property.” The city needs a city square, he said, maybe on the isthmus. He also would like to see the Heritage Fountain Park expanded. “On a nice day it’s just crammed with adults (and) children.”
Both candidates also expressed interest in working together with surrounding governments, such as the way sewer service is combined with LOTT and emergency dispatch.
Cooper said he would favor starting talks on creating a regional fire authority. He also suggested coordinating trash pickup, noting that in his neighborhood near Tumwater, “we have a sanitation truck that goes through our neighborhood every single day.”
On the day they pick Cooper or Tomlinson, Olympia voters also will decide whether to ban fireworks. Cooper said he’s undecided on the issue. Tomlinson said he will vote for the ban. “It really has gotten out of hand. It’s incredible,” he said.
Both candidates expressed interest in improving social services and public discourse.
“I want to really work to create an environment where public input actually turns into public policy rather than infighting,” Cooper said.
Cooper said youths need more services, such as after-school care or a teen center. The City of Olympia lost its publicly supported after-school programs to tax cuts. He also said Olympia should try to preserve open spaces whenever possible.
Tomlinson said he would focus on increasing public works funding for infrastructure, things such as roads and bridges. He would reduce business regulation. And he would like to make City Council meetings less formal, “more like a town hall.”
He suggests homeless organizations band together and work on it as a regional problem.
Matt Batcheldor: 360-704-6869
mbatcheldor@theolympian.com
