A clean, safe, strong and vibrant Snohomish, true to itself
As I frequently walk through our town, I see and experience the charm and character that makes Snohomish special. I also see neglected public spaces, streets in disrepair, safety concerns that worry families and impact local businesses. Correcting these problems that impact on the livability and character of Snohomish requires practical common-sense leadership, attention to detail and commitment to putting people first.
City government should focus on fundamentals: clean, safe streets, thriving local businesses, and responsible use of taxpayer dollars. Misguided priorities, such as a $70 million City Hall project, divert critical resources from the real needs of our community.
With Over 35 years in retail management, including senior leadership roles at Pier 1 Imports, my career is solving problems, building teams and delivering results. As a Senior Account Executive at United Way of Snohomish County, I applied my business expertise to help families and strengthen community through strategic collaborations. Ensuring that our infrastructure is fully oriented toward preserving our small-town historical charm and supporting our local business community will be my focus and goal.
Walking the 500-mile Camino de Santiago pilgrimage reinforced my belief that progress happens, and goals are reached step by step with purpose perseverance and partnership.
With your vote, we will work together for Snohomish, to ensure that it remains a vibrant and welcoming community with a bright and strong future, focusing on what truly matters to residents and preserving our small-town identity rather than allowing it to become just another suburban city.
Priorities
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Streets need attention, public spaces are not well maintained, graffiti is ignored, businesses and public parks are forced to lock bathrooms, and safety concerns are increasing. The trails are a main feature in Snohomish, but poor lighting and people camping along the trails create an unsafe environment. No one should be afraid to walk home at night, addressing these issues requires a proactive and community-driven approach to infrastructure, public safety, and civic engagement.
Enhance Public Space Upkeep & Graffiti Removal We will adopt a rapid-response graffiti removal policy and partner with local businesses and organizations to sponsor public spaces and fund improvements.
Improve Street & Infrastructure Maintenance - Coordinating with public works, to ensure timely maintenance of potholes, sidewalks, and streetlights, a launch a "Report a Problem" tool for residents to easily report issues.
Address Business & Public Facility Concerns - ensure public restrooms remain clean and open through joint efforts with parks and police, and a business safety program with law enforcement partnerships.
Strengthen Public Safety & Crime Prevention - To enhance safety, improve lighting in trails, Neighborhood Watch programs to encourage community involvement in crime prevention.
Engage the Community & Promote Long-Term Solutions - and revise city ordinances to empower police while connecting the homeless and addicted with supportive recovery programs.
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Snohomish is a unique and charming small town, beloved by its residents for its rich history, vibrant community, and welcoming atmosphere. From the historic charm of First Street, with its iconic bars, restaurants, and local businesses, to the scenic Centennial and River Trails, our parks, and the strong sense of neighborly care.
Our town thrives on its unique and quirky traditions, such as the Easter and Kla Ha Ya parades, along with the many fun festivals and events throughout the year. These celebrations bring together people from all walks of life, backgrounds, and interests, fostering true community spirit. This natural camaraderie is one of the greatest inspirations for visitors and makes those who call Snohomish home feel proud.
Support Events That Bring Everyone Together – Encourage and promote community events, that focus on shared experiences, family, history, traditions and are beneficial for local businesses, that are all inclusive as opposed to events that promote labels and segregate or exclude.
Preserve Our Historic and Small-Town Identity – Promote smart growth policies that maintain the character of our town and prevent Snohomish from becoming just another suburb.
Encourage Local Business and Community Engagement – Strengthen the participation of our local businesses in town events to keep Snohomish’s economy and culture vibrant.
Listen to the Community – Establish open forums where residents can voice concerns about events, growth, and policies that affect the town’s character.
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Snohomish is a unique and historic small town with a strong sense of identity. However, recent development plans, including a proposed $70 million City Hall complex, high-density apartment buildings on Bickford Avenue, and parking meters on First Avenue, threaten to erode the character of our community. These proposals do not align with the fiscal realities of a city with only 10,000 residents and could negatively impact local businesses, traffic, and the historic appeal of our downtown.
Smart, controlled growth is essential, but it must be balanced with preserving our small-town charm and maintaining financial responsibility. We must ensure that development enhances, rather than diminishes, what makes Snohomish a desirable place to live, work, and visit.
Reassess Large-Scale Development Plans
Advocate for a thorough financial review of the proposed $70 million City Hall project. Promote cost-effective alternatives that maintain our historic City Hall rather than replacing it with an unnecessary new complex.
Protect Our Historic Downtown Businesses Work with First Avenue business owners on the best parking solutions to support their businesses and maintain the welcoming atmosphere of our historic district for residents and visitors.
Ensure Responsible Housing Growth Support housing growth that is proportional, well-planned, and integrates seamlessly with the town’s historic charm and its infrastructure capacity.
Use the General Fund Responsibly Prioritize spending on core services that directly benefit residents, such as infrastructure maintenance, public safety, and parks. Advocate for fiscal transparency to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and wisely.
Engage the Community in Growth Decisions Establish open forums and town hall meetings to gather public input on major development projects. Work collaboratively with residents, business owners, and local organizations to ensure growth decisions reflect the will of the people.
By working together, we can guide Snohomish toward thoughtful and responsible growth that preserves our historic charm and strengthens our community.
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Local businesses and entrepreneurs are the core of Snohomish’s economy. We need to advocate for streamlined permitting and ensure that rules and regulations are consistent and make it easier for small businesses to operate, invest, and thrive without being derailed by uncertainty or surprise decisions.
About Fred Gaitan
Fred and his wife, Patricia, recently celebrated their 50th anniversary. They are blessed with three children, five grandchildren, and one on the way, all living nearby. Family has always been at the heart of Fred’s life, and when he and Patricia decided to downsize, they were drawn to Snohomish for its small-town charm and strong sense of community. Having spent years bringing their children to games at Stocker Fields and walking the Centennial Trail, they knew this was where they wanted to call home. Through a focused search, they found an empty lot on Lincoln Avenue, allowing them to not only move to Snohomish but also fulfill their dream of designing and building their own home. Acting as the designer and general contractor, Fred navigated city permits, hired subcontractors, managed schedules, and completed much of the interior finish work himself—an experience that gave him firsthand insight into working with city processes.
Fred’s professional background includes 35 years in retail, where he worked his way up from the store level to Senior level positions. After retiring from Retail, he continued serving the community by running highly successful Giving campaigns at United Way of Snohomish County. These experiences strengthened his leadership, planning, and problem-solving skills—qualities he now seeks to bring to the Snohomish City Council.
An avid walker, Fred embarked on the Camino de Santiago in Spain at age 70, walking 540 miles over 39 days. What began as a journey of intellectual introspection became a deeply spiritual experience, reinforcing his sense of purpose and service to the community. Today, he continues walking Snohomish three to four times a week, covering five to eight miles each time. And on these walks, he sees the changes happening in town.
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