Impressions: Yake, Kunka, Snedaker

Dan Yake (three-way race with Mary Souza and Mike Kennedy for CDA council): Qualified, like the other two. Came across better than he did when running for the state Legislature last year. If property taxes are your issue, he’s your guy. A bit abrupt. Has a military feel to him, which is understandable since that’s his background. A true conservative. He considers studies like Walker-Macy and other downtown ones to be a waste of money. Contributed to Kroc Center fund-raiser but worries about maintenance and operation costs. He and rest of his family played roles in CDA Summer Theatre production of “Miracle on 34th Street.” Came across well, but I’ve heard personality could be an issue here. Nothing said during interview confirmed that, however.

Joe Kunka (candidate for CDA mayor): Kunka’s your Average Hard-Working Joe, who got tired of sitting in front of a TV set fuming about higher assessments and taxes. He has a lot of the right questions: “How can our kids afford to buy a home?” But he had few solutions. Joe also didn’t have a solid grasp on what you can and can’t do re: development. He stands little to no chance of beating Mayor Sandi Bloem Nov. 8. Before running for such an important office as mayor, he needs to get up to speed on local government by at least serving on a city committee. But he definitely has the passion to serve his community.

Suzy Snedaker (opposing Deanna Goodlander for CDA city council): Suzy is the epitome of community activist who has a superb knowledge of planning and neighborhoods from her activism and 10 years on the planning commission. She’s dead right on key waterfront issues: Protect McEuen Field from public/private partnerships that would transform the playground into something else; fight for Sanders Beach; no on closing Sherman Avenue for a memorial garden. She spearheaded the effort in the Bryan School area to stop registered sex offenders from living together in unauthorized boarding houses. Definitely qualified.