The following is a release from the City of Kirkland:
Kirkland City Councilmember Doreen Marchione has announced that she will retire from the Kirkland City Council when her term ends on December 31, 2017.
“I have accomplished nearly everything I set out to do when I ran for election in 2009,” explained Marchione. “We annexed Finn Hill, North Juanita and Kingsgate, adopted a new ethics ordinance and code of conduct, replenished our reserves, retained our AAA credit rating, purchased the Cross Kirkland Corridor and opened the interim trail, spurred the redevelopment of the Totem Lake Mall and Park Place (now Kirkland Urban) and much more. I am proud of our achievements and it is time to pass the baton.”
Marchione has served her community in many leadership roles over her expansive career. She began her first term on the Kirkland City Council in January 2010 and was chosen by the Council to serve as Deputy Mayor 2012-2014. She currently serves on the Council’s Planning, Housing, and Economic Development Committee, Legislative Committee and is Chair of the Finance and Administration Committee. She has lived in Kirkland since 1992.
“I have truly enjoyed my role as Councilmember for this beautiful and thriving city, and I look forward to opportunities to serve the community in other roles,” explains Marchione.
“The time and energy that Councilmember Marchione has invested in strengthening Kirkland and the region is legendary,” said Mayor Amy Walen. “It’s an honor to work with her on the Council. Her commitment to consensus building and her dedication to developing strong human service programs has benefited the entire community.”
Marchione’s commitment to the under-served was evident throughout her entire career. She was the President and CEO of Hopelink from 1992 through 2007 and expanded the agency’s reach from serving 20,000 residents each year in north and east King County to serving more than 50,000 residents in 2007. During her tenure the agency’s operating budget grew from $9 million to $44 million and added a number of new programs including family development and literacy.
Housing the homeless was a top priority for Marchione. She played an integral role in the development of a new 50-unit transitional housing and an 8-unit emergency shelter in Redmond’s Avondale Park, which opened in July 2004. She was also active on the Committee to End Homelessness, which is currently working to implement a plan to end homelessness in King County in 10 years. She was also a Commissioner of the King County Housing Authority and served on the board of the United Way of King County.
She has received several awards, including Seattle University’s 2015 Alumni of the Year and the Municipal League’s Outstanding Elected Official Award. She has also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Redmond Chamber of Commerce and the Leadership Legacy Award from the Center for Ethical Leadership.
Councilmember Marchione also served as the Mayor of Redmond, Washington for eight years (1984 through 1991) and served 5 years on the Redmond City Council. She is a graduate of Seattle University, where she served on the Leadership Council for the College of Arts and Sciences.
Councilmember Marchione’s term expires on December 31, 2017. The filing period for the November 2017 election is May 15 through May 19. To learn more, visit the King County Elections website.
