Kirkland Mayor Penny Sweet announced she will seek another term on the Kirkland City Council. Sweet, who has served on the Council since 2010 is running again to assure land use and development decisions facing the city will focus on the need for more affordable housing opportunities, while balancing the need for environmental sustainability and more open space.
“During my 12 years on Council, Kirkland has experienced unprecedented growth through annexation, the purchase and development of the Cross Kirkland corridor, and in fill development across the city including major projects at The Village at Totem Lake and Kirkland Urban. We must be thoughtful about a future that assures we remain a vibrant and inclusive community. “
Sweet is a retired Health Care Administrator. She and her husband, Larry Springer, have owned The Grape Choice Wine Shop in downtown Kirkland for 40 years. In 1999 she founded Celebrate Kirkland! to put on Kirkland’s annual 4th of July Celebration and continues to chair that event every year, (2020 and 2021 virtually.) In 2008 and 2009 she served as chair of the Market Neighborhood Association. In 2004 and 2005 she was the event chair for the yearlong Kirkland Centennial Celebration. She served on the original Kirkland Downtown Action Committee and is on the Kirkland Downtown Association Board.
Sweet is the current vice chair of the Boards of Directors of Hopelink and Cascade Water Alliance. Her Kirkland Council service includes 6 years on the Emergency Management Advisory Committee. She is the co-chair of the King County Regional Water Quality Committee and chairs the King County Metropolitan Solid Waste Advisory Committee. She serves on the Transportation Advisory and Legislative Advisory Council sub committees.
Sweet, elected in 2010 was selected and served as Deputy Mayor until 2012, served as Deputy again in 2014-2015. She was selected as Mayor in 2019 to serve an unfinished term vacated by State Representative Amy Walen and again in 2020 for another 2-year term.
“Being the Mayor through the pandemic and this period of social unrest has been the most challenging period I have faced.” Sweet said “Things have been turned upside down since February 29, 2020 when the first COVID case was identified in Kirkland. Dealing with the fear and uncertainty in our community has made government work in new ways. But Kirkland is bigger than the challenges that we face. We have come together in new ways to make sure families are not hungry, our small businesses and restaurants continue to survive, and our people thrive. I want to continue to be part of the solution. Thank you for your support.”
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Editor’s note: This is a press release from the candidate’s campaign.
