Blaine City Council Ward 2 Position 2 Candidate Q&A

The Northern Light asked Blaine City Council Ward 2 Position 3 candidates questions on why they are running for the seat in the November 7 general election. The Ward 2 position is a four-year term that represents south central Blaine, from roughly Boblett Street west of I-5 to southern city limits on Bell Road and Peace Portal Drive. The position also represents a section north of Boblett Street that is between Harrison Avenue and I-5. Written responses were provided to the questions.

Sonia Hurt

Sonia Hurt is a member of the Blaine Tourism Advisory Committee and a former small business owner and teacher. She is also the chair of the Salishan Neighborhood Association and Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival committee member. Hurt earned a bachelor’s degree in biophysical geography from the University of California, Los Angeles. 

Q: If elected, what are your top three priorities for your first year and how will you accomplish those?

A: 1. Developing Blaine into a compelling tourist destination, creating more employment opportunities and sales tax revenue. I will continue my work with the Blaine Tourism Advisory Committee and chamber of commerce. The more revenue the city has, the more there is to invest in developing affordable housing.

2. We need to be proactive in building affordable homes. One reason Blaine is attractive to tourists is that it doesn’t have homeless people blocking our sidewalks and making tourists feel uncomfortable. I’ll encourage residents to build ADUs and work with Kulshan Community Land Trust.

3. Encourage industry by working to find buildable sites and possibly rezoning.

Q: Blaine City Council is facing turning-point decisions on shaping the future of residential and downtown development. What does ideal development in Blaine look like to you and how much would you prioritize affordable housing in that plan?

A: I want Blaine to be a humane city that is more habitable, healthy, safe, ecological and equitable. It’s been shown that taller buildings make an area feel less open and less friendly. We need to maintain our small town feel by maintaining our current height limits. Buildings should have ground level businesses and residences above, which include affordable housing such as studio and one-bedroom apartments. Design elements must be employed to create a consistent seaside image. Trees must be retained, providing shade and cooling the city. Treed areas with seating should be designed to create welcoming places for people to gather.

Q: The city of Blaine is working to balance its budget as inflation has caused salary and wage expenditures to outpace revenues. What areas of the budget do you believe the city should first cut and how do you propose increasing the city’s revenue?

A: The pandemic and subsequent border closure had an immense impact on the city’s finances. The city has just completed its budgeting process. The city manager and finance director went through the budget line by line to eliminate every feasible item while aiming to maintain vital city services and personnel. First, I will be vigilant in watching for any form of waste, or redundancy that can be eliminated. Then, as needed by budget constraints, cut optional travel and training. I will work tirelessly to build our city’s tourism industry, attract new businesses and industry to increase revenue.

Steven Tojek

Steven Tojek has spent nearly 13 years in law enforcement and has lived in Blaine for just over a decade. Prior to Blaine, Tojek assisted with community development in Buffalo, New York.

Tojek said in his candidate statement on the voters guide that he believes transparency and community involvement are essential.

Tojek did not respond to multiple requests for responses.