Redmond Mayoral Candidates Outline Plans for the Growing City ▶ [With Video]

During our interview with current Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch and Redmond City Councilor Cat Zwicker, the two struggled to find anything they didn’t agree on when discussing a variety of topics that are important to the City of Redmond. The candidates started the interview by agreeing the biggest challenge facing Redmond was growth. The Source Weekly met with Zwicker and Fitch last week to discuss their ideas. Fellow candidate Charles Baer did not attend the interview.

“We’re the second fastest growing city in the state,” said Fitch, adding that affordable housing and transportation infrastructure is the primary focus for the council and community. Zwicker agreed and said housing is her “hot ticket.” According to Zwicker, the City needs to balance affordable and workforce housing with market-rate housing – creating communities for all income levels.

“Were basically on the same page on just about everything,” said Zwicker. “The whole City Council and city administration is committed to doing everything we possibly can to help provide more affordable housing to the best of our ability with the limited resources we have.”

When asked how they plan to retain Redmond’s small-town feel while keeping up with growth, Fitch focused on the need to protect existing neighborhoods. One of his goals is keeping the historical integrity and small-town feel of Redmond by avoiding transportation projects that go through the middle of town.

Zwicker agreed and would like to see neighborhoods with coffee shops and other small businesses for people to gather in areas besides downtown, maintaining the sense of community.

On water, Fitch and Zwicker brought attention to well water use, stating that any appropriator of water in Oregon needs to be regulated, not just municipalities. Zwicker gave “kudos” to Fitch for working with the Oregon Water Resources Department to fight for Redmond’s future water availability.

While Marijuana dispensaries are still not allowed in Redmond City limits, an advisory vote will go before residents to gauge interest in changing that. According to Zwicker, if the vote leans yes, the council will likely put restrictions on where they can operate.

Fitch supports the marijuana initiative but agrees that if residents support it, the City should treat it like its liquor stores – not operating in residential areas or downtown. However, he also believes it’s up to the people.

“If they vote it down, that’s the end of the discussion,” he said.

When asked what they love about Redmond, they both talked about the sense of community. Zwicker described the City as welcoming, engaged and helpful, celebrating the level of community volunteering and involvement.

Fitch talked about the community’s eagerness to volunteer and help one another out. “There is such a strong sense of heart here,” he said. “That’s why I live here, and I love it.”

The two ended their discussion by describing what sets them apart. Fitch started by talking about their similarities. “Cat and I voted the same on everything except for two instances, and they were very minor,” he said. He followed that by leaning on his experience as mayor, saying he will help get policies and project completed. “I firmly believe that that is, really, the margin of difference between us.”

Zwicker summarized the experience she has, evidenced by sitting on a number of committees and boards, and noted that her perspective is slightly different in how she engages with people and how she does things. Many of the City’s projects, she said, are long-term. She feels like it’s time to dip her toe in and take these things to the end.

The third candidate running for mayor is Redmond resident Charles Baer. Baer is a libertarian and self-described depopulationist, one of his main running points.

WATCH: The Source Weekly’s interview with Zwicker and Fitch: