Web site: www.electmarian.com

DOB: 3/23/31
Occupation: Retired Arlington schools employee
Education: Special Certificate Program, Everett Community College

Family/personal: Mother of seven grown children, grandmother of eleven. Pioneer Afro-American
family. My great grandmother came from slavery and had a store in Everett in 1900. Born in Everett, and lived in north Snohomish County all but six years of my life. Raised on two farms, 62 acres and 80 acres. Joined Public School Employees of Washington in 1969 as a school employee. I am a retired life member of this union group, and until July, I represented them on the State Retirement Advisory Committee and the Employee Retirement Benefit Board (Gov. Locke appointment). Am an active community volunteer.

Political offices held: Eight years an elected precinct officer; formerly chair of the 10th Democratic Legislative District, elected to and served three terms; presently elected and serving my second term as chair of the 38th Democratic Legislative District; I have never run for a political office, except to be appointed to fill Jean Berkey's seat when she was appointed to the state Senate seat.

Public service/volunteer experience: I have probably worked 30 campaigns. Never paid staff, always the
volunteer. I have been on several steering committees, including Gary Locke's gubernatorial campaigns, Bob Drewel for Snohomish County executive, Michael Dukakis for President. Campaigns include Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, Rep. John McCoy, Rep. Mike Sells, former Rep. Dave Anderson, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, Gov. Christine Gregoire.

I sit on the board of Evergreen Manor alcohol-recovery center;
am a foster-care citizen review board member, overseeing disposition of children
in out-of-home care; a League of Women Voters member; chairwoman of the 38th District Democrats; member of the State Chair's Committee; member of the Snohomish County Health and Safety Network, member of the State Family Policy Council's Consulting Team, member of my church's Social Justice Committee.

What two issues concern you most in the race? Sustainable growth, transportation. We are growing rapidly in Snohomish County, but there needs to be careful planning to ensure that what we put in place today is here 40 or 50 years in the future. Businesses and fair-wage jobs are not those small, two-person businesses that are here today and gone in a year's time or less. We must have the infrastructure that maintains a quality of life that endures. Not just concrete and steel, but enough health-care facilities, enough fire and police protection, and meet the needs of an aging population. Water is a growing concern. Not only how much do we have, but how do we manage water runoff and flooding? Saving our trout and salmon is also to be considered, as well as animal habitat. Transportation in the rural areas, where much of this growth is taking place must be dealt with as well as major highways. Housing developements are increasing, but we have the same two-lane roads.