MUNI  LEAGUE QUESTIONNAIRE

2004

 

1.      To bring a bipartisan, common sense approach to problem solving in Olympia; to bring the perspective of small business to the legislature; to bring my experience in local and regional issues to Olympia particularly in the areas of education, healthcare, transportation, environmental protection, and job creation.  I have a proven track record of dealing with issues head on for over 15 years, many of those issues are the same issues facing the state.

 

 

 

2.      I seldom ever worry who or what gets credit for a job well done.  I recognize compromise is the life blood of a democracy and always strive to fully understand both sides of a debate.  I constantly look for the root cause of the issue and seek to avoid dealing with symptoms as opposed to causes.  I listen first, research second, and decide third.  I have never been concerned with who or what someone represents, only the point of view and position as that should be the only basis for our political discussion.

 

 

 

3.      Organized and chaired the Kirkland Community Summit in 1993 in response to a very divisive city council campaign the year before.  It was an all day summit sponsored by Puget Power and the Wash State Depart of Community Economic Development.  Over 150 people participated, discussed and reached agreement on actions plans in the areas of governance, economic development, arts, youth issues, transportation.  The event is still talked about today and is heralded as the first major step at creating a city-wide vision.

 

Currently organizing the first ever Washington “intra-state sister city program” between Kirkland and Walla Walla.  It is an attempt to cooperate in marketing and tourism as well as promote cultural and economic exchange programs.  We have had two meetings in our respective cities, each for 2-3 days, and plan on formalizing the relationship in October and having a media role out event in December.  Both cities are currently developing plans for a joint political agenda to take to the legislature in January.  The energy around finding ways to cooperate across the Cascade Curtain is infectious and we believe may be a model for future such relationships.

 

 

4.      Chaired Chamber of Commerce Community Services Committee (1995)

Board of Directors of the Kirkland Performance Center and the Kirkland Art Center (1993-1995)

Past President of the Leadership Institute and recipient of the National Distinguished Leader Award ((2002)

Chaired the Kirkland Community Summit (1993)

Kirkland City Council for 11 years (1994-present)

Kirkland Mayor for 4 years (2000-2003)

Member of the 520 Bridge/Corridor study (1998-199)

President of the Suburban Cities Association for 2 years (2002-2003)

 

 

 

5.  To represent the concerns and viewpoints of the citizens of the 45th District while at the same time make decisions that are in the best interests of the entire state.  The primary area are budget decisions, creation of law, oversight of boards and commissions.  The most important duties would be the constitutionally mandated responsibilities for budget adoption and providing for basic education, followed closely by ensuring healthy economic development and the creation of appropriate state wide land use policies.