Salim Nice, a second generation Islander, filed to run for City Council Position No. 3, which is currently held by Mike Cero.
Nice, a member of the Town Center Stakeholder group, will run against fellow stakeholder Wendy Weiker in the November general election. Cero said he will not run again.
Nice said he is advocating that growth pay for growth in the Town Center.
“The city has missed critical opportunities to use the available tools to fully offset development impacts on Island services and schools. The cost of these impacts were ultimately shifted to Island taxpayers,” Nice said in a statement. “It is time our development policies reflect the true costs of growth to preserve and protect Mercer Island Schools and maintain current levels of services in police, fire, parks, transportation and utilities.”
As of 2010, Mercer Island was the 10th most densely populated island in the continental United States behind other notable islands, such as Manhattan, Staten and Long Island, Nice stated, begging the question of how many people the Island can sustain without degrading the quality of life.
“Mercer Island is at a crossroads: the direction we are heading threatens to fundamentally and permanently alter the character of our Island. Specifically, the city is deliberating on Transit-Orientated Development in the Town Center, a bus turnaround on the North-end, Park & Ride capacity, and re-zoning, all of which have the unintended consequence of changing the charm and character of our neighborhoods,” Nice said. “To preserve what we cherish about this island, it will take a strong council member who understands and also stands up for the interests of Mercer Island residents and families.”
Nice worked at several local Island businesses while earning his way through Seattle University. His professional experiences encompass 20 years of finance, tax and regulatory compliance with an emphasis on Information Technology and Systems Architecture. For the past 14 years, he served in executive roles, including Chief Operating Officer, Chief Technology Officer, and Senior Vice President. He said he attributes his business success to the ability to make data-driven decisions, work collaboratively with others, listen with an open mind and creatively solve complex problems.
Nice and his wife grew up on Mercer Island, and are alumni of the Mercer Island school system.
“In 2011, we moved back to the Island, drawn by the tight-knit community, schools, beauty of the parks and quality of life the Island offers,” he said. “In many ways, my special memories and experiences growing up on the Island have shaped my views of what must be preserved.”
