Who Said It Best? Highlights from the MLT Candidate Conversations

Hi neighbors,

This one’s a bit longer than usual, but Wednesday’s City Council Candidate Conversations hosted by MLTnews was packed with substance and worth the time. The library was full, the discussion was civil, and the differences between candidates came through clearly.

Here’s what stood out by theme rather than by race, showing how our candidates see the city’s future.

Everyone agreed the city faces financial headwinds. Position 1 incumbent Rick Ryan pointed to a projected $1.3 million deficit in 2026 but said the council hasn’t discussed raising taxes. Position 1 challenger Sam Doyle called sales tax “terribly regressive” and said Washington’s lack of an income tax leaves cities with few equitable options.

From the Position 3 race, both William Paige and Danny Luoma emphasized transparency and teamwork. Paige said the Fiscal Sustainability Task Force should “do the job we appointed them to do” before council takes major action, adding that “whatever we decide, we need to engage our community because anything we do has to be done with you, not for you.” Luoma, a member of the task force, talked about making the budget more understandable to the public: “it’s not that the numbers aren’t there, it’s that people don’t know what they mean.”

It was refreshing to hear taxes discussed in terms of fairness, not just dollars. The real divide wasn’t about raising or cutting, it was about how we decide. Doyle and Luoma both touched on something deeper: that fiscal health depends as much on community trust as on balance sheets.

But we also can’t keep pretending Mountlake Terrace can thrive on a shoestring. Fairness should guide our choices, not fear of the word “tax.” If we want well-maintained parks, safe streets, and housing people can afford, we have to be willing to fund them in a way that reflects our values, not just our spreadsheets.

William Paige, for emphasizing transparency and the need to rebuild public trust in how we make fiscal decisions.

No topic drew sharper contrasts.

Doyle spoke forcefully against the license plate cameras, calling them “a waste of money” and “offensive to our constitutional rights.” She warned they put marginalized residents at risk and noted Flock’s known data-sharing with Homeland Security.

Ryan, who voted for the system, said he based his support on police and staff recommendations and on the fact that dozens of other Washington cities already use Flock.

From Position 3, Luoma said he would have voted no from the start, pointing to weak auditing and unclear data ownership. Paige, who originally voted yes, explained why he changed his mind: “I felt like we were misled… it’s not the system, it’s the company.”

Later, Position 4 challenger Steve Mosman said he supports Flock because “no one who’s a victim of crime would want to deny police any tool available.” Position 4 incumbent Kyoko Matsumoto Wright said she’s still listening but has heard “only one person adamantly against it.”

This issue continues to define the election. The divide is unmistakable: Ryan and Mosman view Flock as a necessary tool for law enforcement, while Doyle sees it as a fundamental violation of the Fourth Amendment. Luoma also opposes the system, citing poor data governance and accountability, and Matsumoto Wright showed her first real hesitation but then doubled down on claiming she hasn’t heard from those against it. But the moment that stood out most came from Paige, who publicly acknowledged regret for his vote and called for accountability, a rare and powerful act of humility in local politics.

Surveillance isn’t safety; trust is. Flock has repeatedly shown itself to be deceptive, and the city’s decision to contract with a company that shares data with Homeland Security was a mistake. Paige’s reversal took courage and should be respected. True safety in Mountlake Terrace means every resident, documented or not, feels protected, not watched. Canceling the contract before installation remains the right course for our community.

William Paige, for admitting he was wrong and standing up for accountability.

Everyone agreed it is more than a pool.

Doyle called it “a public safety issue” as much as a recreational one, pointing to swimming lessons, teen activities, and social space for seniors. Ryan agreed the building is “done for” but said convincing neighboring cities to join a shared funding model could be difficult.

Later in the evening, Matsumoto Wright reminded the audience that planning has been underway since 2009 but stalled after the recession. Mosman expressed nostalgia for teaching his kids how to learn to swim there decades ago and frustration that progress has been so slow.

The Pavilion is our shared heart, but also our shared headache. Everyone loves it, yet no one can say exactly how to pay for it. Still, the longer we defer the decision, the more we risk losing one of the few places in town that brings every generation together.

Public spaces like this aren’t luxuries, they’re what make Mountlake Terrace feel like home. Investing in them is about more than recreation; it’s about connection, health, and resilience. A regional funding model could make sense, but what matters most is having the courage to stop kicking this decision down the road. “Maybe later” has been our answer for too long.

Sam Doyle, for recognizing that the Pavilion isn’t just about recreation but about community safety and belonging.

The conversation around growth revealed some of the clearest philosophical differences of the night.

Doyle called for growth that is intentional and inclusive, emphasizing that affordability must be at the center of every housing decision. Ryan struck a more cautious note, saying growth must be managed so that roads, utilities, and public services can keep up. Paige echoed the need for affordable options across income levels, while Luoma focused on fixing bottlenecks in the permitting process so that development can proceed more predictably. Mosman warned that Mountlake Terrace is already one of the densest cities in the state and argued against what he called “forced growth” from Olympia. Matsumoto Wright countered that growth is inevitable: “If we don’t plan for it, developers will build whatever they want.”

This is the question that will define Mountlake Terrace for the next generation. Growth isn’t something to fear; it’s something to guide. Doyle captured that best, linking development to affordability and inclusion rather than just density. Ryan’s caution about infrastructure is fair, but if “character” becomes a stand-in for resisting change, we’ll lose the very diversity that makes this city vibrant.

We have a chance to shape a Mountlake Terrace that’s more walkable, more affordable, and more welcoming. That means planning boldly around light rail, supporting renters, and creating space for new neighbors without displacing the ones who built this community. Character isn’t about keeping things the same; it’s about keeping our values intact as we grow.

Sam Doyle, for seeing growth not as a threat, but as a chance to build a more inclusive city.

Nearly every candidate touched on communication and connection, how the city listens, responds, and builds trust.

Doyle argued that City Hall needs to meet residents where they are: “You can’t wait for people to come to you.” Ryan described a more personal approach and said he gets most of his feedback “in the cheese aisle at QFC.” Paige talked about developing “community ambassadors” who could bridge gaps between City Hall and neighborhoods. Luoma proposed expanding the city’s new service app to include neighborhood updates, alerts, and feedback tools. Matsumoto Wright noted that she’s proud of the city’s communication efforts but acknowledged there is room to improve outreach beyond council meetings.

It was encouraging to see every candidate recognize that communication isn’t just a box to check, it’s the foundation of trust. Doyle and Paige both pushed that idea further, tying engagement to representation and belonging. When residents feel heard early in the process, not after decisions are made, they’re more likely to believe the city works for them, not around them.

Mountlake Terrace has long prided itself on being a place where you can talk directly to your councilmember at the grocery store, but our next step should be to make that same accessibility possible online, at night, and in multiple languages. That’s how you reach the next generation of residents who will shape what this city becomes.

Danny Luoma, for offering concrete ideas to make engagement more accessible and useful for residents.

Although he is running unopposed for Position 2, incumbent Councilmember Steve Woodard offered thoughtful reflections that helped ground the discussion. He spoke about the importance of regional collaboration and credited city staff for their professionalism during a challenging few years of growth.

Woodard also acknowledged that being unopposed brings a responsibility to listen carefully to residents and represent the full range of voices in the community, not just those who agree with him. His comments served as a reminder that leadership is as much about steady stewardship as it is about policy debates.

What stood out most about Wednesday’s forum was not just the policy differences but the tone. The room was full, the questions were sharp, and the discussion stayed respectful. Candidates disagreed without being disagreeable, which is saying something in today’s world.

Listening to it all, I was reminded why local elections matter so much. These are not abstract debates about national politics. They are conversations about how we want to live together right here in Mountlake Terrace.

You can read a recap of the event on MLTnews here or watch the entire event on Youtube here.

Thanks for reading,
Dustin