1. Name as it will appear on the ballot
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First Name |
Middle Initial or Nick Name |
Last Name |
2. Office sought (include office, jurisdiction, position/district number):
3. Are you the incumbent? Yes
4. How long have you resided in this district/city?
5. How long have you resided in King County?
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43 years |
6. Is the office sought partisan or nonpartisan? Nonpartisan
CAMPAIGN CONTACTS
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Campaign Name: |
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Address: |
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City/State/Zip: |
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Campaign Phone: |
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Campaign Fax: |
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Campaign E-mail: |
degginger@comcast.net (current) contactme@degginger.com (soon) |
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Campaign Website: |
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1. Beginning with the most recent position, please list public offices which you have held. Include positions on appointive Boards or Commissions.
Public Office |
Elective or Appointive? |
Dates Held |
Leadership Role (if any) |
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Deputy Mayor, City of Bellevue
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2. If you ran for public office but were not elected, please list those races below:
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In this section, we are seeking responses that reflect the four ratings criteria: involvement, effectiveness, character, and knowledge. These are defined as follows:
1. In a page or less, why are you running for this office? (Note: the interview committee will be given a copy of this statement before your interview; at the beginning of your interview you will have the opportunity to expand on this statement in any way you wish.)
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I am working to implement Bellevue's vision of being the economic and cultural heart of the Eastside with great neighborhoods and outstanding quality of life. Achievment of these goals requires councilmembers who can establish clear policy, develop appropriate performance measures, adhere to fiscal discipline and maintain a meaningful dialogue with the entire community.
Bellevue's physical location, size and economic importance as a major regional center mandates that its councilmembers have the requisite skills to meaningfully participate in the regional forums where critical issues are being debated and decided. Transportation, water supply and economic development are all subjects of vital importance to Bellevue and the entire region.
Bellevue has a great deal at stake in these current regional debates. Interstate 90, Interstate 405 and SR 520 all connect through Bellevue. The gridlock on these regional roads pushes traffic onto Bellevue's arterials and frequently into neighborhoods. Bellevue must ensure that the funded state projects, the RTID package and any HCT planning address the critical choke points within Bellevue's borders.
Water supply is another critical infrastructure issue. The Growth Management Act mandates that cities within the urban growth boundary ensure that an adequate long term water supply is available for its residents. Central Puget Sound's population has increased significantly, however, additional water supply has not been develped for decades. Current supply sources are running at increasingly tighter margins particularly in light of the need to protect salmon. Bellevue must continue to provide leadership and partner with neighboring communities in implementing a plan that meets the needs of people and fish for generations to come. |
2. Describe your most important personal characteristics or traits as they relate to the office you seek.
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Local Product. As one who was raised on the Eastside and who has lived in Bellevue for over 20 years, I have a shared history with many Bellevue residents regarding the journey that our city has made over its first fifty years. As a parent of two boys ages 10 and 15, I understand how important it is to ensure that Bellevue remains a safe place for families and people of all ages.
A well prepared advocate. As an attorney in private practice, I understand the importance of careful preparation. I have learned how to obtain and absorb a significant amount of information quickly, a skill that is essential in serving on a legislative body like the city council. I work hard at being well prepared for council meetings and am not afraid to ask the hard questions. I have had opportunities to employ my advocacy skills on behalf of the city before the Growth Management Planning Council, various committees of the King County Council, various regional forums, and our state legislative and congressional delegations.
Listener. Six years on the Planning Commission and four years on the City Council have taught me how important it is for policy makers to be effective listeners. The policymaking process benefits by receiving input from a variety of perspectives and interests.
Problem Solver. I enjoy developing options and helping people reach consensus on a solution. |
3. Please describe in sufficient detail, one to three accomplishments or contributions of which you are most proud. These examples should illustrate effective skills and capabilities you think apply to the office you are seeking. These accomplishments may have occurred at any time in your personal, professional, or public life.
4. Please list or describe your current and past activities in the community in which you have acquired skills that relate to the office you seek. Include your role in the activity and the year(s) in which you were involved. Involvement consists of many areas such as family, neighborhood, community, employment, or public life.
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Deputy Mayor (2002-present) - I conduct the Council meetings when the mayor is absent. I attend the weekly mayor's meeting to review upcoming agenda items, identify key issues and facilitate communication between the top city staff and the council.
Councilmember (November 1999-present) - My council-related assignments have included the following:
Cascade Water Alliance - I serve as Bellevue's representative to this regional water supply organization. I was elected Chair of the Board of Trustees in January 2002 and continue to serve in that capacity.
Growth Management Planning Council - I serve as Bellevue's representative on this countywide body responsible for establishing policies to implement the Growth Management Act. Bellevue's comprehensive plan must be consistent with the Countywide Planning Policies.
I-405 Executive Committee - I serve as an alternate on this panel that has been leading the planning effort for the 405 project--a vital transportation project for Bellevue and the Eastside.
Bellevue Economic Partnership Steering Committee - This public-private partnership worked to attract and retain businesses in Bellevue.
Growth Management Policy Board - This is a standing committee of the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) that addresses regional growth policies. I serve as an alternate on this Board.
Construction Code Advisory Committee - I chaired a three-year effort to improve the delivery of construction permits and inspections. Along the way, we effectively integrated technology to improve service delivery. Also, we streamlined development regulations and implemented a new customer service approach across all city departments that deal with development services. The committee was composed of design professionals, developers, and contractors who worked in cooperation with city staff and have produced recommendations that have been implemented by the City Council and are producing major service improvements already. It was an outstanding model of cooperative problem solving.
Bellevue Planning Commission Liaison - I served for over six years on the Planning Commission before becoming a Councilmember. It was an outstanding training ground for learning how city policies are shaped and to participate in developing the long-term vision for the city. I learned how to listen, how to ask questions, how to work cooperatively with staff and residents and how to conduct public hearings. Currently, I serve as the City Council's liaison to the Planning Commission. I periodically attend their meetings and stay in touch with commission members as they prepare their recommendations to the Council on key issues.
Bellevue 50Fest Committee - This committee has been responsible for putting on events to celebrate the City's 50th birthday this year. I have co-chaired the Neighborhoods Committee. We developed a program of 3 major events in various city shopping centers (Lake Hills, Crossroads and Factoria). In addition we developed a "party in a box" that is made available to neighborhood associations who want to dress up the summer barbecues and picnics "Fifty Fest Style." The committee provides each association with certificates for free sheet cakes sufficient to feed as many people and the neighborhood expects to have. There are Hula-hoops with which to hold contests, along with prizes and disposable cameras to record the fun. Thus far, over 50 neighborhood associations have signed up for the "party in a box." The events have been a success and we have received positive feedback about how this has helped many in the city be a part of the event.
Access Downtown Advisory Committee - This is a group that serves as a forum and communication vehicle for the $161 million project to expand the overpasses across 405 at SE 8th Street, NE 8th Street, NE 4th Street and NE 6th Street. Residents of adjoining neighborhoods and downtown business interests participate along with two councilmembers and staff from the city's transportation department
Seattle Architectural Foundation Board of Trustees (1997-2002) - The SAF develops appreciation for architecture in the region. It leads tours and conducts education programs. I provided volunteer legal assistance and participated in its fundraising efforts.
King County Bar Foundation Board of Trustees (1995-96) - The Foundation raises funds for delivery of pro bono legal services in King County and for minority law student scholarships.
METRO Citizens Water Quality Advisory Committee (1987-90) - I served as Vice Chair of this organization that provided citizen input on issues related to siting secondary treatment facilities, and sewer rates. I served as the only citizen member of the Rate Structure Advisory Committee that developed the plan for implementing sewer connection charges.
Bellevue West Little League Coach (1996) - I coached one year and have continued to assist with my younger son's teams.
Congressman Joel Pritchard (1979-83) - I served on the Washington DC staff of this former Seattle-area congressman as the press secretary and legislative assistant for energy and environmental affairs. I worked extensively on regional issues including the Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act and wilderness legislation. |
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A Councilmember has several important duties. First, a Councilmember is a policy maker. A policy maker must have the ability to mold the community's collective vision and establish priorities, to think strategically, to look at the long term, to set clear expectations and to ensure accountability.
Second, a councilmember has a duty to effectively represent the city in a variety of contexts. In order to be successful, a councilmember must be able to communicate effectively with citizens, staff, colleagues and other elected officials from county councilmembers, to state legislators to the congressional delegation. The city's financial and regulatory future is affected by decisions made at other levels of government, so it is important that those other policy makers understand the impact on the city of the issues that are before them.
Third, a councilmember has a duty to protect public safety. We must provide the necessary resources to ensure that people and property within the city are secure. This is a paramount responsibility and the highest priority. Bellevue's reputation as a safe community is no accident. There has been a long commitment by many councils to this goal.
Fourth, a councilmember has an important oversight function regarding the expenditure of public funds. People work hard for their money. They should expect that their money be spent prudently.
Fifth, a councilmember must be a consensus builder. One cannot be successful in accomplishing goals alone. Bringing various stakeholders together and finding common ground is an important skill.
Finally, a councilmember must be accessible to the citizens. This is local government. Assisting people who want or need help from the city is an important and rewarding part of this job. |
EDUCATION BACKGROUND SUMMARY
The Municipal League’s Candidate Evaluation Report is distributed to voters in print and/or on our website. It includes a summary of the candidate’s education. Please summarize your education in 120 characters (letters, punctuation, and space all combined). The League will delete material that exceeds the space limit by beginning with the last entry. Suggested order is (degree) (subject) (school) (year, if desired).
Note: If this question is left blank the League will not include education information in your candidate profile.
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B.A. Communications University of Washington (1977); J.D. University of Puget Sound (1985) |
FOR PUBLICATION IN CANDIDATE EVALUATION REPORT
The Municipal League’s Candidate Evaluation Report also includes a summary of each candidate’s civic involvement. Please summarize your civic involvement in the space below. We will make every attempt to include the information in the Candidate Evaluation Report as submitted. Due to space restrictions in the Report, your response is limited to 500 characters (letters, punctuation, and spaces all combined). It is important that you list your involvement beginning with the most important and ending with the least important. If you exceed the length of response permitted, or if the League should find it necessary to shorten responses for publication purposes, deletions will be made beginning with the last item listed.
Note: This information will appear verbatim on the League’s Candidate Evaluation Report. If this question is left blank, the Municipal League will not include information on your civic involvement in the Report.
Check here if you would like the Municipal League to copy the first 500 characters from Question 4 to paste into this section.
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Councilmember, 1999 to present (currently serving as Deputy Mayor);Chair Cascade Water Alliance, Growth Management Planning Council, Growth Management Policy Board, I-405 Executive Committee; Bellevue Economic Partnership Steering Committee; Construction Code Advisory Committee, Access Downtwon Advisory Committee; Bellevue 50Fest Committee; Economic Development Council; Bellevue Planning Commission(1991-98); King County Bar Foundation (1995-96); Seattle Architectural Foundation (1997-2002). |
Finished!
If at all possible, send your response to the Municipal League electronically as an attachment, or insert it into an e-mail message (rebecca@munileague.org). Mail and fax numbers are listed below. If the League has not contacted you to schedule an interview, please call the League office at your earliest convenience.
Don’t forget to send the following to the Municipal League: a resume, a photo, campaign literature, and, if you are an incumbent, constituent newsletters and other materials. Please use the check-off list on the cover sheet of this packet to indicate which items you have sent.
Candidate Evaluation Coordinator: Rebecca Cooper
Seattle, WA 98104-1614 Fax: 425-671-0506 Website: www.munileague.org