Three candidates are seeking election to Position No. 3 on the Burien City Council in 2025, offering voters a range of backgrounds and perspectives in one of the city’s most closely watched local races.
Ballots began arriving July 18 for the upcoming Aug. 5 primary election, where all four candidates for Burien City Council Position No. 1 will appear on the ballot. The top two vote-getters will advance to the Nov. 8 general election.
Marie Barbon, a longtime Burien resident and pediatric nurse, is seeking election to the Burien City Council Position No. 3 seat in 2025. Citing firsthand experience with the community impacts of addiction and affordability, Barbon says she is running to bring “compassionate, common-sense leadership” to City Hall. She currently serves as chair of the city’s Human Services Commission and emphasizes the need for investments in public safety, housing, and services that work. “Instead of raising taxes that worsen affordability, we need to grow our city’s resources by attracting businesses and building our local economy,” Barbon said. She has lived in Burien for 16 years.
Also running for Position No. 3:
To help inform voters ahead of the primary, The B-Town Blog invited each candidate to respond to a standardized set of 11 questions covering topics such as public safety, housing, homelessness, economic development, climate policy, and their vision for Burien’s future.
NOTE: Photos and links are from the King County Elections website. We do not correct punctuation, grammar, or fact check candidate statements.
Marie Barbon
1. Why are you runing for Burien City Council? What are your top three reasons and issues you want to address?
I am running for Burien City Council to fight for affordability, public safety, and sustainable growth. She knows that many Burien residents, especially low-income families and seniors are being priced out. Rather than raising taxes, she believes in growing the city’s resources by supporting local businesses and attracting economic development. Also, be a voice of reason at City Hall, someone who listens, leads with empathy, and never backs down when her community is at stake.
Strengthen Public Safety
Burien is facing real public safety challenges, from rising crime to the devastating impact of active addiction. Barbon is committed to tackling these issues with compassion and effectiveness, not political theater. That starts with:
- Investing in community policing builds trust between officers and residents, so neighborhoods feel safer and more connected.
- Expanding co-response and outreach teams, particularly with proven organizations like The More We Love, which work directly with individuals in crisis to de-escalate situations and connect people to services and treatment they need.
- Prioritizing funding for active addiction treatment with wrap-around services so those struggling with addiction can access help before the situation becomes fatal.
- Focusing on real, result-driven solutions rather than performative policies that don’t improve conditions for Burien families.
Support Small Businesses & Economic Growth
A healthy local economy means more jobs, more community investment, and a stronger Burien. Barbon will:
- Cut red tape by streamlining the city’s permit and licensing processes, making it easier and faster for local entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses.
- Support existing small businesses by reducing unnecessary regulations and offering targeted assistance to help them thrive.
- Attract new businesses to diversify the economy, bring in more shoppers, and grow the city’s tax base allowing Burien to fund essential services without raising taxes on families and seniors.
Expand Affordable Housing
Many Burien residents, especially low-income families, seniors, and young adults are being priced out of the community. Barbon will work to address this by:
- Expanding access to affordable housing, not through tax increases, but by being strategic and fiscally responsible with existing resources.
- Auditing city programs to identify and eliminate spending on items that aren’t delivering results, then redirecting those funds to prevent homelessness and support services.
- Encouraging responsible development balances affordability, sustainability, and maintains the character of our neighborhoods.
2. Minimum Wage and Small Business: Burien recently passed a minimum wage initiative, while voters approved another. What are your thoughts on this and which version do you think should be enforced? Also, what are your thoughts on the lawsuit/countersuit over the initiative that was passed in February?
The recent developments surrounding Burien’s minimum wage initiatives reflect broader trends in labor rights and economic justice, particularly in cities aiming to address income inequality.
In my opinion, while both initiatives have their merits, the version that best supports balancing small business needs and worker needs should be enforced. The community has expressed concerns with small businesses closing and our city should be a place where one can work, play and live.
3. Affordable Housing and Homelessness: What specific strategies do you support for increasing affordable housing and addressing homelessness in Burien? What is your stance on the recently proposed ordinance regarding homeless encampments at churches/religious organizations?
A combination of strategies is essential to effectively tackle the unhoused crisis and increase affordable housing in Burien, focusing on policy reform, community engagement, and financial resources. In summary, addressing affordable housing and homelessness in Burien calls for comprehensive strategies that integrate financial, political, and community-driven approaches. Ongoing dialogues about local policies, such as the proposed ordinance concerning homeless encampments, must prioritize the needs of vulnerable populations while ensuring public safety and support systems are in place. For specific details relevant to Burien’s proposals, local government sources and community forums may provide further insights.
4. Public Safety and Policing: How would you approach public safety concerns in Burien, including police funding, alternative response programs, and community trust?
To effectively approach public safety concerns in Burien, it’s crucial to enhance police funding, implement alternative response programs, and foster community trust through active participation and collaboration. By combining enhanced funding for law enforcement, increasing alternative response strategies like the co-response teams, and committing them to community engagement, Burien can effectively address public safety concerns while fostering an environment of trust and collaboration. This multifaceted approach prioritizes the well-being of residents and seeks to create a safer community for all.
5. Airport Impacts: Burien continues to experience environmental and quality-of-life impacts from Sea-Tac Airport. Noise pollution, air quality, and land-use conflicts remain major concerns, particularly for residents in North Burien. What is your stand on this issue?
The ongoing environmental and quality-of-life impacts from Sea-Tac Airport, including noise pollution, air quality concerns, and land-use conflicts, significantly affect Burien residents, particularly those in north Burien.
The quality-of-life and environmental challenges that Burien faces due to Sea-Tac Airport operations are significant and merit serious attention and action. The city must continue its advocacy for improved federal and state policies, and residents must remain engaged in the discourse on sustainable development and public health protections in the face of continued airport expansion. Addressing these concerns is crucial for ensuring that communities can thrive without compromising their health or living standards.
6. Downtown Revitalization and Economic Development: What is your vision for revitalizing Burien’s downtown core and attracting new businesses, jobs, and community spaces?
Revitalizing Burien’s downtown core involves creating a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly environment through strategic mixed-use development, community engagement, and the attraction of new businesses, while enhancing public spaces. Further improvements to 153rd Street would be highly beneficial to the community.
By focusing on these strategies, Burien can revitalize its downtown core, attract new businesses, create jobs, and foster community spaces that reflect the unique character and desires of its residents. The comprehensive approach should ensure that growth is sustainable, inclusive, and responsive to the community’s evolving needs.
7. Public Transit and Traffic: How can the city improve public transit options, address traffic congestion, ensure safe streets for all users, including pedestrians and cyclists?
To effectively improve public transit, reduce traffic congestion, and promote safer streets for all users, I support the development of the previously proposed city trolley by a Burien resident as a promising solution to ongoing traffic challenges. I will advocate for strengthened partnerships with King County Metro, Sound Transit, and neighboring municipalities to enhance cross-jurisdictional transit connectivity. Additionally, I will prioritize upgrades to pedestrian infrastructure in areas with high foot traffic and collision history. This includes installing mid-block crossings, additional sidewalks especially near school and parks, ADA compliant ramps, and enhanced lighting to significantly reduce pedestrian risk and improve walkability citywide.
8. Environment and Climate Resilience: What steps (if any) should Burien take to address climate change, protect green spaces, and improve urban tree canopy in light of funding challenges?
To effectively address climate change, I support expanding bike lanes, pedestrian infrastructure, and transit access as high impact strategies to reduce transportation emissions. I also advocate for energy efficiency upgrades in city-owned facilities, phased in and supported by state or federal grant funding. Moreover, collaboration with regional partners such as King County, Puget Sound Energy, and nonprofit organizations like Forterra will be essential to leveraging shared resources and technical expertise.
To protect and enhance Burien’s green spaces, I support expanding the Green Burien Partnership and introducing incentives for developers to preserve and plant trees. I further endorse robust enforcement of existing tree protection regulations and call for active engagement with private property owners and new developments to promote tree planting and the removal of invasive vegetation.
9. DEI & Sanctuary City Status: What is your stand on Burien’s policies that protect the needs of its diverse population? Also, the city voted to become a “Sanctuary City” in 2017. What are your thoughts on this?
Burien aims to be an equitable community where individuals from diverse backgrounds can thrive through policies outlined in their Comprehensive Plan. While Burien’s policies reflect a commitment to its diverse population, effective implementation and ongoing community engagement are crucial. Addressing the forecasted growth and ensuring that services reach all populations equitably requires sustained effort and adaptability in policy execution. Burien’s Comprehensive Plan outlines a multifaceted approach to supporting its diverse population through thoughtful, inclusive policy development. The ongoing engagement with community members remains vital to meet evolving needs effectively, ensuring that Burien not only envisions but actively creates a community where everyone thrives.
As a person from an immigrant family, we must consider the balance between providing safety for all residents and meeting federal requirements, especially in a politically charged environment. Engaging in dialogue within the community about these complex issues is crucial for shaping an inclusive and effective approach to immigration and public safety.
10. Transparency and Community Engagement: What new approaches would you take to increase transparency and improve communication between City Hall and the public?
As someone who has personally experienced the uncertainty that comes from not knowing what is happening within the city, I recognize that, even when issues are posted publicly, they can easily go unnoticed. This often leaves residents feeling uninformed and blindsided by developments that directly impact their lives. I am committed to fostering a direct and personalized approach to community communication, one that proactively shares news, updates, and invitations to civic engagement in order to empower residents and encourage their active participation in local affairs such as volunteer neighborhood ambassadors or installing public notice boards in each neighborhood.
11. Budget Priorities and Tough Choices: Given ongoing budget constraints, what would be your top funding priorities, and what tradeoffs would you consider balancing essential services with new initiatives?
Considering ongoing budget constraints in the City of Burien, the top funding priorities should focus on maintaining essential services, enhancing public safety, and investing in community development initiatives, while also considering trade-offs between immediate needs and long-term sustainability. Addressing Burien’s budget constraints requires careful examination of funding priorities that can sustain essential services while also allowing for new initiatives. Engaging the community in discussions around trade-offs and potential revenue solutions will help balance short-term needs with long-term growth and stability. A strategic approach alongside transparent communications will foster trust as the city navigates these financial challenges.
I do appreciate when a candidate doesn’t bother to pretend they wrote the answers themselves but this is so clearly AI it’s laughable. Part of it isn’t even in first person.
And this affects you how? Maybe you should return to the Facebook version of this Blog for your commentary.
If the candidate isn’t going to respect her constituents enough to write out real answers I don’t think she deserves our votes.
Marie Barbon is the ideal candidate for Council Position #3, she is running because she believes in Burien and it’s future by setting a positive approach to pressing needs. The other candidates, Rashell and Sam clearly speak of links to King County and Seattle type processes and affiliates they want to implement and use to serve special interests.
This entire thing is clearly AI written. Are we supposed to take this seriously?
It’s also real interesting that the people that supported the democratically voted minimum wage initiative are clear and transparent about their support, and no one has really come out to openly claim support for the corrupt council version.
And the people that prefer the council version talk around the question and avoid answering it directly. It’s probably because they know it is a unpopular perspective and that being honest would cost them votes. Well, lacking the integrity to answer honestly will cost you votes too.
Thanks Marie for your answers!
Foget about the exhausting lies and fabricated non sense stemming from the activists, they keep it “progressively” coming 😉