For the Reporter
Lisa Anderl, Mercer Island City Councilmember and longtime Island resident, announced this week she will seek re-election to the Mercer Island City Council in the Nov. 2 election.
“Since being appointed to council in 2018, and being elected to my position in 2019, my focus has been on building a sustainable city government, providing citizens the services they expect, and preserving the special nature of Mercer Island, from its peaceful single-family neighborhoods to its wooded parks, to the trails that so many of us enjoy,” said Anderl, who currently holds Position 4 on council.
Ted Weinberg announced in January that he will put his hat in the ring for city council Position 4 in the November election as well, according to a Reporter article.
Regarding the budget crisis that was predicted by prior leadership in 2018, Anderl noted that “We are now (almost) post-pandemic and the city’s biennial budget for 2021-2022 is healthy. City departments have been restructured, and many cost-saving measures have been put into place. This is because the City Council, the City Manager, and her Leadership Team have focused on critical policy and operational issues, and working collaboratively. We have a great track record over the past three years and I am excited to continue doing the good work that we’ve done, and finding solutions to pending issues.”
In endorsing Anderl, Councilmember Jake Jacobson wrote:
“Lisa Anderl’s exceptional ability to analyze, understand and provide leadership on significant issues — specifically but not limited to financial ones — has and will continue to greatly benefit Mercer Island and its residents. She is a steadfast supporter of our Parks, Mercer Island Youth & Family Services, the capital improvement plans for our water and sewer utility systems and fiscal and organizational efficiencies implemented by our City Manager. Her legal and business experience materially assists the City Council in identifying, addressing and proactively dealing with the challenges which our City faces now and in the future.”
Anderl noted that the upcoming four years are still full of challenges: “I am running for re-election with the experience and understanding of what the city and its residents have endured over the past several years due to the budget issues and the pandemic. As an experienced City Council member, I support programs and services that make Mercer Island a special place to live. We will continue to work toward a fiscally sustainable government and advance our community’s priorities. The tough decisions we will face, including the bus/rail intercept and a push for more growth on the Island, need experienced leaders who are familiar with these issues.”
Anderl’s guiding principles have been public safety, preservation of open space and single-family neighborhoods, fiscal responsibility, and a commitment to a strong retail community in town center.
Olivia Lippens, Mercer Island resident and mother of three, provided the following statement: “I am thrilled that Lisa is seeking another term. Her support for our community has been unwavering in her time on Council. Among other things, she has supported continued funding for school counselors, clean and safe public spaces, and preservation of our parks. I look forward to Lisa’s continued support of our community and her leadership in her next term.”
During her time on council, Anderl voted to keep Mercer Island parks and public spaces safe and accessible for all. She supported funding public safety departments and school counselors. She also voted to preserve the Island’s residential character and preserve the Town Center for retail development that is so important to those who live and work on the Island.
Anderl, a 22-year resident of Mercer Island, was an in-house attorney for Qwest/CenturyLink until 2020 and had a 25-year career as a successful litigation and contract attorney. She says that her style is decisive and data-driven, but that she is always willing to listen, to change her mind if the facts change, and work collaboratively on solutions.
Anderl currently serves as the council liaison to the Utility Board and the Open Space Conservancy Trust, and is the city’s representative on the Salmon Recovery Council. She enjoys walking in the parks with Rufus the chocolate lab, golfing, and shopping in Town Center.
For more information, visit www.LisaforMI.com.
