Since it took over the management of O.O. Denny Park on Lake Washington in 2002, the Finn Hill Park and Recreation District, which encompasses the Finn Hill neighborhood within the City of Kirkland’s proposed annexation area, has never had a contested general election for the district’s board of commissioners.
That changed this year when two candidates filed for the Position 5 slot that was vacated when a member of the board resigned. Denny Park resident Mathew Pruitt is one candidate running to fill the term that expires in 2011. He wants the job in large part to ensure that the transition is smooth if annexation of the Finn Hill area to the City of Kirkland passes this November.
“I want to work with our local leaders to maximize the opportunities that annexation will bring to the district and the Finn Hill community,” says Pruitt. “I support annexation. Finn Hill is unique and will improve an already great city. I can walk through my neighborhood and pass by condominiums, apartments, your average single family residence, and million dollar homes with views of the Seattle skyline. We are very lucky, and Kirkland will be lucky to have us.”
Pruitt believes there is much to do if annexation passes.
“The park district contains some of the most sensitive areas in our region,” he points out. “The forest land that surrounds O.O. Denny Park, Denny Creek, the Juanita Woodlands, and Lake Washington are part of what makes this a great community, and we need to do what we can to protect these valuable assets. I understand that there will be some need for economic growth and that the PAA will be expected to pay its fair share. I plan to work with the city council and the city’s planning department to ensure that sensible, smart growth policies are implemented that preserve O.O. Denny Park and the surrounding area.”
Pruitt believes he is uniquely qualified for the commissioner position and points to some ideas he has to improve public disclosure.
“I am also running because I have 10 years of government service and will be able to use my experience to work with law enforcement officials to ensure park rules are enforced fairly,” he says. “Furthermore, I believe the board can do a better job with public disclosure. I want to improve their Web site at www.finnhillparks.net, publish meeting minutes, and possibly move the board’s meeting location at the Juanita Starbucks to a site where the public can more easily attend if they desire.”
The candidate lives with his wife and two sons in Denny Park He is the vice president of the church council at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Juanita and holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Seattle University as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Washington. He currently works as an HR Administrator for a utility district in Snohomish County.
