1. Name as it will appear on the ballot
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First Name |
Middle Initial or Nick Name |
Last Name |
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Paula |
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Gaines |
2. Office sought (include office, jurisdiction, position/district number):
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3. Are you the incumbent? No
4. How long have you resided in this district/city?
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50 years |
5. How long have you
resided in
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50 years |
6. Is the office sought partisan or nonpartisan? Nonpartisan
CAMPAIGN CONTACTS
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Campaign Name: |
Citizens to Elect Paula Gaines |
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Address: |
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City/State/Zip: |
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Campaign Phone: |
(425) 827-5567 |
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Campaign Fax: |
425 822 8370 |
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Campaign E-mail: |
paula@paulagaines.com |
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Campaign Website: |
www.paulagaines.com |
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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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NA
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2. If you ran for public office but were not elected, please list those races below:
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Office Title |
Year of Run |
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NA
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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 have observed the direction the Kirkland City Council has been taking the last few years in regards to priorities, regulations and spending. I see their decisions as lacking vision and understanding of the unintended consequences. As a business owner and resident, I have experienced first-hand the effects of regulation on my ability to conduct business and/or improve my buildings or property.
I’m a member of the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors and the Public Policy Committee and have been approached by several business owners with concerns about city government’s burdensome impact on their businesses. As a successful businessperson and business leader, I have also been approached by several long-time residents to run for City Council. Like me, they feel the council lacks leadership and understanding of what is needed by the business community in order to operate profitably. They are concerned that many businesses are preparing to leave Kirkland because of the recent decision by the Council to add new, onerous business taxes. The City of Kirkland cannot afford a shrinking tax base. They know a shrinking tax base will mean fewer city services.
As a lifetime resident, I’m concerned about a growing city government which does not adequately provide infrastructure, does not balance its budget and spends money on projects that are nice to have, but not necessary. I believe practical and efficient funding on necessary projects should be funded first.
I’m running because I feel it is my duty to serve and I would bring to the Council leadership that provides real solutions to the difficult problems facing Kirkland in the years ahead. The health of our business community and security of our neighborhoods must be city government’s major focus. |
2. Describe your most important personal characteristics or traits as they relate to the office you seek.
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My most important characteristics are vision, courage, trustworthiness and determination.
My vision has helped me transport my family’s business from decline to growing prosperity. I have helped the business successfully transition from the first to second generation and am preparing for the next. I have the ability to perceive trends, and anticipate change. Also, I have learned to be vigilant in avoiding unintended consequences. Vision is a very important trait of leadership.
Often times it takes courage to make the right decision. Elected leaders are frequently tempted to do what is popular and what will win votes. A good city leader, however, does what is right for the community. For example, my courage allowed me to stand up against customer and staff opposition and establish my business, TechCity Bowl, as a smoke-free establishment. This is unheard of in my industry, but I felt that it is more important that both children and adults enjoy themselves without risking their health. Many told me that my business would suffer and initially it did, but I stand by my principles and the community has rewarded me for it.
Leadership often times includes the stewardship of what belongs to others. As a steward of my family’s legacy and business, I have proven my trustworthiness to my family. As a city leader, I would place the future of Kirkland ahead of self-interest.
Determination is a quality of good leaders. I look to no other person to motivate my actions. I seek the truth, determine the goal and blaze the trail. It is my determination to succeed that drives me to the end result.
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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.
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I am most proud of my two daughters. As a single mom, it was challenging to provide adequate care and guidance at times. Especially for my youngest, because she did not have much in the way of parental or financial support from her father. My oldest daughter is married and has two intelligent, talented and beautiful daughters of her own. She has done well at Microsoft and yet is able to be a caring and attentive mother. Somehow she finds time to be involved in community activities and fundraisers, as well.
My younger daughter is independent and determined to finish her degree in accounting. I am delighted to say she does this while working in the family business. She lives by herself, but has a full and productive life.
In spite of the hardship, sacrifice and occasional frustration that I experienced as a single parent, I feel it was well worth it and I am proud and confident my daughters will continue to be good citizens as well as happy and productive women.
Also, I consider it a privilege to have had the opportunity to make TechCity Bowl a thriving business, employing many, and serving the community. It has taken lots of work and determination, as well as courage to transform our struggling business to one that is profitable as well as being a clean, wholesome place for families, groups and individuals. It is rewarding to know that our business is an asset to our community and I am proud to have been part of this contribution.
I am pleased to have been a board member of the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce. This has given me valuable insight into my community and numerous opportunities to contribute on a more personal level. It’s been a pleasure working side by side with other business owners while tackling the concerns we have about economic development in the city of Kirkland. As a member of the Chamber’s public policy committee, I have participated in forming the Chamber’s policy statements which are given great consideration by the city council and staff.
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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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May copy no. 3 As a single mother of over twenty years, I have acquired many skills that are useful for the office I seek. For one, learning to live within my means is one skill which certainly is appropriate for one responsible to allocate public funds. Also important is being trustworthy and dependable. Just as children need to know that they can trust and depend on their parents, an effective Councilmember demonstrates these traits by putting the needs and future of the community before self-interest. As one who cares for an elderly parent, I am exposed to the needs of senior citizens. It is never easy for an adult child to watch the debilitating effects of aging on one’s parent. Finding ways to accommodate my mother’s needs, being sensitive to her fears and disappointments and being responsible for her financial security has given me experience that will be helpful in making sound decisions as a Councilmember in regards to Kirkland’s senior residents. As an employer for the last seven years, I have made every major decision affecting my employees from establishing wage scales and formulating benefits packages to oversight of employment practices. This experience will be very useful in helping the Council oversee labor budgets and policies. As a business manager, one who is responsible to the bottom line, I have learned that there is more than one way to accomplish a goal. Being innovative, resourceful and flexible are necessary to being successful in business. These are skills that can serve a city as well, especially in finding new ways to solve budget deficits while exceeding the expectations of the stakeholders. Having worked for a number of businesses, large and small, in a variety of industries from banking equipment to building materials, auto sales and biotech research I have been given a broad perspective of employers and employees. This is very useful in dealing with and understanding the needs of workers. This knowledge will be very useful in helping the Council establish reasonable labor budgets while being sensitive to the needs of city workers. As an active member of the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce, I have had many opportunities to be involved in my community. For example, last summer (2002), the Chamber sponsored a very successful triathlon and half-marathon race. As a committee chair, I was responsible for recruiting a team of volunteers and directed them in their activity. This was my first involvement with this particular event. Being willing to lead others into unknown territory is an experience I have had many times as a business owner, as well. Conquering the fear of the unknown is necessary for good leadership. I have this ability, have applied it wisely and will do so again, given the opportunity as Kirkland City Council Member. |
The duties of City Councilmember include, but are not limited to, listening to and representing constituents; attending and participating in semi-monthly council meetings; participating in selection of Mayor and Deputy Mayor; participating with other members in the direction and oversight of the City Manager; participation in selection of city committee appointees; participation in selection of City Manager if vacancy of position occurs; participating in city and regional committees as appointed by the council; in the event of a major emergency, participation on emergency management team.
The most important duties, in my opinion are: listening to and representing constituents and the selection and oversight of City Manager.
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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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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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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