Sweet talk: King County Executive candidate Larry Phillips visits Newcastle chocolate shop

King County Executive candidate Larry Phillips visits a Newcastle chocolate shop to talk with community leaders.

April 20, 2009 8:03 pm
King County Council member Larry Phillips shares a laugh with business owner Sandra Wixon at Sweet Decadence Chocolates in Newcastle on April 16. Phillips is running for the King County Executive seat and met with community leaders to talk about their concerns.
King County Council member Larry Phillips shares a laugh with business owner Sandra Wixon at Sweet Decadence Chocolates in Newcastle on April 16. Phillips is running for the King County Executive seat and met with community leaders to talk about their concerns.

King County Executive candidate Larry Phillips visited Newcastle’s Sweet Decadence chocolate shop on April 16 for a briefing from community leaders.

The meeting included City Manager John Starbard, Chamber of Commerce Chairman Nick Sooy, City Councilmember Lisa Jensen, and Sweet Decadence owner Sandra Wixon.

Among the topics discussed were development, community character, transit,and regional planning.

“I enjoyed the opportunity to speak with people and listen to what they had to say,” Phillips said. “There was a broad representation of city leaders and people making a living in the community.”

Newcastle encompasses approximately 4 square miles of land and has around 9,700 residents.

“If we were a part of Bellevue, we’d be neighborhood,” said resident John Jensen. “But we have The Golf Club and a lot of pride, and an oddly close-knit community connected through our Chamber and the businesses.”

Phillips touted his experience working on the Growth Management Act during his time with the state House of Representatives and said the county needs to focus more on local and regional services.

The King County Councilmember also said there should be more commitment to law enforcement and justice.

“Even if you’re going through tough times, at least your community should feel safe,” he said.

Phillips explained why he decided to run for the executive’s office, even though it could pit him against three-term incumbent and former ally Ron Sims.

The two have grown apart in recent years over issues like light rail and budget matters.

“There was a loss of focus with this (Sims’) administration during the third term,” Phillips said. “It’s not a personal situation. I still care for him deeply.”

Sims has been tapped by the Obama administration for a federal post, but he is not yet confirmed. He also hasn’t indicated plans to withdraw from the executive’s race.

Other candidates for the election, according to Public Disclosure Commission fundraising information, include King County Councilmember Dow Constantine and state Senator Fred Jarrett.