Koster, Gossett, Somers for Snohomish County

Snohomish County Council needs an infusion of perspective on the growth defining its future. Population and housing estimates are soaring and there is only increasing frustration ahead with roads, schools and public services unless land-use policies achieve a manageable balance.

The campaign has not provided that robust debate, even as elements of county growth-management language are being reviewed and updated in its midst. • Former County Council chair Dave Somers is strongly endorsed for a return to the seat he lost four years ago. District 5 runs from Snohomish beyond Index, along Highway 2, and is sizzling with development. Development interests have helped push Republican incumbent Jeff Sax past $210,000 in contributions.

Democrat Somers, a fisheries scientist and land-use analyst, can return rationality and gravitas to district representation. Sax only lurches from one political pratfall to another; he is unfocused and unpredictable. His deliberate leak of legal details from a recent executive session was the last straw. Somers is the qualified, mature choice in this race. Independent Greg Stephens, a former Republican, complicates the vote in this race.

• In northern District 1, Republican incumbent John Koster's pro-development views have attracted campaign contributions in excess of $225,000. For years, the former dairyman and former legislator has been a conservative fit with his district, which includes Marysville, Arlington and Darrington. He represents a potential 2007 challenge for Democratic County Executive Aaron Reardon's job, which would fully air issues surrounding a sustainable pace for the county's growth and development.

Democratic challenger Suzanne Smith, a local business owner and former Marysville city councilwoman, has good ideas for developing specialty agricultural crops and nurturing local markets. Otherwise, she lacks the financial and political resources to hold Koster properly accountable. Frustrations with growth in District 1 are her ally at the polls.

• District 4 Councilman Dave Gossett, a Democrat from Mountlake Terrace, is smart on the issues and connected to his constituents. His Republican challenger is a party stalwart who apparently filed for office to offer voters a contested race. Gossett is a thoughtful, constructive council member who has earned re-election.