Peters declares for City Council

Published 10:00 am Monday, February 12, 2007

Environmental activist will run for at-large seat.

Environmental and Democratic Party activist Barry Peters has thrown his hat into a very open ring for Bainbridge Island City Council.

“I want to restore public confidence and trust in city government,” said Peters, who announced his candidacy Monday for the at-large council seat to be vacated by Nezam Tooloee at the start of 2008. “We’ve got crucial issues affecting us, like the need for more affordable housing and the question of acquiring more open space.”

So far, Peters is the only candidate to announce his intention to run for the seat, which Tooloee will leave after this year.

Of the four incumbents up for reelection this year, only Central Ward Councilman Bill Knobloch has announced his intent to run again. Tooloee and Bob Scales, of the North Ward, said early this month they’ll not seek second terms. Councilman Jim Llewellyn has not yet decided if he’ll attempt to hold his South Ward seat.

Peters, who retired last month after a 25-year career in law and business management consulting, said he was spurred to run by recent disharmony within the council and in its relations with the mayor.

“Over the last several months, the council has hit a rough patch,” he said. “It’s been divisive and hasn’t led to real collaboration. I think I can help the council achieve more…with both listening and then acting.”

The Murden Cove area resident pledged to “make good and timely decisions, rather than simply letting market forces or the highest bidder drive us to unplanned and undesirable eyesores.”

Peters has served in numerous volunteer roles since moving to Bainbridge from Philadelphia in 2001. He founded Sustainable Bainbridge, which hosted a recent Earth Day event and advocates for the local use of alternative energy sources, such as solar power and biofuels.

Peters currently serves as the co-chair of Bainbridge Conservation Voters and was vice-chair of the 23rd Legislative District Democrats from 2004-06. In 2004, he was elected as the Democrats’ Tolo area Precinct Committee Officer.

Peters holds a public and international affairs degree from Princeton University and a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Peters was, until January, employed as an employee benefits and retirement specialist by Seattle-based Mercer Human Resources Consulting. He also served in a similar capacity for the Verizon telecommunications company.

This professional experience would assist him in relations with city staff, Peters said.

“Our city is an employer with 140 employee positions, of which close to 20 are currently vacant,” he said. “I’m committed to…helping the city continue to attract and retain outstanding public service employees.”

Tooloee said Peters is “thoroughly qualified” to take over his spot on the council. However, Tooloee expressed some reservations about Peters’ strong partisan and environmental leanings.

“I’m concerned that, on some issues, Barry is too far to one side,” Tooloee said, citing Peters’ current office with Bainbridge Conservation Voters. “I hope he tempers that and really represents the whole island.”

Tooloee also hopes more candidates step up to run.

“I hope equally qualified – or more qualified – people emerge to challenge Barry and cause some real debate of the issues. It’d be a shame if Barry just got to walk in on the council.”

Peters, who plans to move to the Central Ward next month, decided not to seek Knobloch’s seat, opting instead for the all-island council position.

“I’m going to live in Bill Knobloch’s district but wouldn’t want to oppose Bill,” Peters said. “He’s doing a great job, has a good working relationship with the mayor and administration and is an effective voice for the community.”

Peters, who lives on Green Spot Lane, plans to move to Winslow’s Vineyard Lane development in March.

Peters is limiting campaign contributions to $100 per voter.

“I’m for a campaign consisting of conversations in homes and meeting halls to discuss the sustainable future that we want for our community,” he said. “I’m not interested in wasting trees to produce sticks, cardboard and an ugly sprawl of highway political signs.”

Peters can be reached at Barry.Peters@BainbridgeVoter.org.