Patsy Bonincontri only got a brief taste of service as a Bellevue City Council member, but she’s gunning for more.
Bonincontri filed paper work this week with the state Public Disclosure Commission officially entering her into the race for the Sixth District seat on King County Council, currently occupied by Bellevue’s Jane Hague. Hague was originally elected in 1993, and she is seeking her sixth term in office.
Bonincontri joins Seattle Port Commissioner John Creighton and former counsel to Gov. Christine Gregoire, Mercer Island’s Richard E. Mitchell in the running.
Bonincontri served on the Bellevue council after Connie Marshall stepped down in 2008. She finished out the term, but lost to Kevin Wallace in a close race in 2009. Bonincontri said her experience on City Council, and the interactions she had with the county motivated her to run.
“When I was on City Council, I saw a lot of things in King County that could be improved,” she said.
Bonincontri pointed to an overcrowded jail system, poor animal control services and continually increasing waste-water prices as some of the problems.
Her goal is one of efficiency, she said. Much of the focus of Executive Dow Constantine’s time in office has been to tighten up the county in the face of less revenue and more demand for service. Bonincontri wants to see that continue. While she doesn’t have a specific plan of action, Bonincontri said nothing is untouchable.
“Basically, I would say everything is on the table to be looked at.”
Bonincontri said her diverse life and professional experience make her a prime candidate for the position. As a first-generation immigrant, she has seen systems and governments with vastly different philosophies. Coming from out of town, Bonincontri feels her experience will allow her to look at issues more objectively than some who have spent their whole time in the area.
Bonincontri works as an architect, emphasizing in urban design. Prior to her time on the Bellevue council, she served on the Planning Commission.
Nat Levy can be reached at 425-453-4290.
