Citing unfinished business regarding parks, economic development, and the ongoing transition issues related to annexation, Kirkland City Councilwoman Amy Walen has decided to seek re-election to the Kirkland City Council.

Walen, who began her first term on the council in 2010, is chief financial officer at Ford of Kirkland. Promoting the theme “Amy for All of Us!,” the campaign will host a kickoff announcement from 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26 at Juanita Pub, 9736 N.E. 120th Place (north of Juanita Village in Kirkland). Supporters are encouraged to attend.

“I ran for office in 2009 because I wanted to make sure that public safety, financial stability and quality of life were the priorities of the city,” said Walen. “I fought for providing adequate police protection for the annexation areas without shorting the rest of Kirkland. We did that with 30 less people than originally planned.

“As chair of the Finance Committee, we replenished the city’s reserves and maintained our AAA rating while passing stringent audits with flying colors.”

Walen also chaired the committee that recommended the voter-approved parks levy be placed on the ballot last year.

“This levy assures the maintenance of Kirkland’s incredible park system and provides for the acquisition of more parkland with emphasis on the newly annexed areas of the city,” said Walen. “I will work with the Parks Department to make sure the money generously committed to us by citizens is spent wisely.

“Our work is not yet finished,” she continued. “Our citizens must continue to be able to safely walk the streets of Kirkland. And I will fight for the continued integration of the city’s neighborhoods plus support economic development in all the commercial areas of the city – especially Totem Lake and Parkplace.”

Walen is a cancer survivor and has been an active fund raiser for EvergreenHealth hospital’s new cancer center and Kirkland Interfaith Transitions in Housing. She has organized support for community events, blood drives and highway clean-ups in Kirkland through the state’s “Adopt a Highway” program.

Santos and Sue Contreras join Walen as campaign co-chairs and Hazel Russell will serve as campaign treasurer.