A recent spate of concerned letters called it a “push poll.”

In an on-line poll, the Reporter asked readers if the City of Kirkland needs a new council member with a fresh perspective to fill position No. 5 or one who has already worked closely with the city.

In the spirit of journalistic fairness and integrity, we removed the question from the Web. Though we did not intend the question to be a push poll, we can see how it could be interpreted as such. We regret the error.

But the real issue in this candidate race as the primary election nears is, what does bringing a “fresh perspective” to the council mean? Why should we elect Amy Walen, who has never worked on a city board or commission? Why should we elect Karen Tennyson or Matt Gregory, who have both been involved with the Planning Commission?

In the many letters and phone calls I’ve received regarding position No. 5, this issue seems to be at the crossroads of people’s voting decision. To help guide voters, I asked each of the candidates to explain their viewpoints.

To Walen, Ford of Kirkland’s chief financial officer, bringing a “fresh perspective” means she won’t bring any “baggage or preconceived notions” to the council. For someone who hasn’t been involved in many of the disputes over downtown development, Walen says she can listen objectively to neighbors and businesses.

“I can look at problems without having any feelings about past arguments,” she said. “I wasn’t in CIVIK, I wasn’t working for developers. I wasn’t part of any of those contentious things, so my perspective is we can all bring Kirkland together.”

She added voters should seek to have a diverse council that represents diverse interests and she hopes to bring something different.

But Matt Gregory thinks residents need someone who has experience with Kirkland issues.

“This isn’t a job for on-the-job training,” said Gregory, who served on the Planning Commission for 10 years. “We have a city manager who’s leaving and we need to have council members who are well-grounded in Kirkland’s policies and history.”

He added that he, too, would bring a fresh approach to the council. Issues he would seek fresh approaches for include transportation and Totem Lake.

“Just because I’ve been considered an ‘old boy’ – I’m coming in with some fresh ideas,” Gregory said.

Tennyson agreed.

She said she would bring to the table her experience as a current Planning Commission member, familiarity with Kirkland issues, as well as a fresh perspective.

In the past, she said residents have elected council members who “did not come with any real background and it takes two years or so until they’re really up to speed. Right now, we have issues and don’t have time to have a rookie on the council. We need people who can hit the ground running.”

And just because she’s on the commission, doesn’t mean she’s given a “blanket okay” to whatever council decides, she said. She cited Parkplace, when the commission tied the amount of retail space to the amount of office space, which was not a decision that came from the council, she said.

“I think enthusiasm is a wonderful thing,” Tennyson added. “I’d like to think I bring a seasoned enthusiam to everything I approach.”