I support Dan Grausz for re-election to the City Council. As our deputy mayor and incumbent Councilmember, Dan’s commitment to our community has made a material difference in the lives of Islanders.

I served for eight years on the School Board and worked with Dan on various committees. Dan believes that Islanders are best served when the city and the school district cooperate, both to make things happen and to reduce costs for Islanders. Dan has been a key player on a number of joint projects. He was critical to helping the district get funding to turf the high school field. He was the main proponent for city funding of school counselors when that program was threatened. He fought for city funding of Mary Wayte Pool so that our swim team would continue to have a home. He was also a leader in securing voter passage of the parks levy that provided funding to turf the South Mercer fields. I worked personally with Dan to negotiate the compromise with the neighborhood that enabled PEAK to be built. Dan worked tirelessly on that effort and even wrote much of the agreement that resolved the matter. He continues to serve on the city/school district Ad-Hoc Committee, which is responsible for making sure that any new school development projects are done in a manner that optimizes results for our community.

Dan and his family have long been dedicated to making a contribution to Mercer Island. Even before he joined the Council, Dan volunteered on many CMIPS campaigns, working to obtain voter approval of numerous school levies. Dan’s wife, Clare, has taught in our schools. Their children graduated from Mercer Island schools and, like their parents, were active participants in their school community.

It is one thing to support through words; it is far different to support through actions. Dan Grausz has always done the heavy lifting for Islanders, particularly for our schools. He deserves our support.

Lisa Strauch Eggers