The Municipal League of King County

810 Third Avenue, Suite 224

Seattle, WA 98104

 

2005 Board of Trustees

 

Rita Brogan, Chair

Mark Troxel, Vice Chair

Beth M. Arman, Secretary

Harold Taniguchi, Treasurer

 

Putnam Barber, Executive Alliance

Vaughnetta J. Barton, community volunteer

Jill D. Bowman, Stoel Rives

Patricia Bowman, human resources manager (ret.)

Bruce Carter, judge pro tem, Seattle Municipal Court

Kevin Carter, Safeco

Stephanie Cirkovich, Pike Place Market PDA

Peter Coates, Building and Construction Trades Council

Chris Cooper, CHHIP

Paul Demitriades, Medina City Council (ret.)

Sandra Driscoll, City Attorney (ret)

Deborah Eddy, Consultant

Keven Franklin, King County

Mary Gates, Consultant

Norma Jean Hanson, Norma Jean Hanson Paralegal Services

Robert Klein, McNaul, Ebel, Nawrot, and Helgren

Eric Laschever, Stoel Rives

Steve Marshall, Snohomish PUD

Rob Neate, Puget Sound Energy

Jennifer Piccolo, citizen activist

Charles Redell, Reporter

Tami Ritoch, Fireside Homes Real Estate Associate

R. Todd Slind, CH2MHill

Lucy Steers, public participation consultant

Harold Taniguchi, King County Department of Transportation

Rashelle Tanner, CRISTA Ministries

David Tarshes, Davis Wright Tremaine

Kate Tate, Weyerhauser

Philip Thompson, Perkins Coie

Mark Troxel, City of Seattle

Wes Uhlman, Wes Uhlman & Associates

Rich White, Boeing

2005 CANDIDATE BACKGROUND QUESTIONNAIRE
FOR NON-JUDICIAL CANDIDATES

 

The Municipal League of King County requests every candidate who participates in the candidate evaluation process to submit background information prior to his/her interview with a candidate evaluation committee.  The questionnaire is the basis of the League’s research and interview process.  The League’s ratings are non-partisan; they are based on standards of Involvement, Effectiveness, Character, and Knowledge, all of which have been developed and refined over the past 90 years.

 

A printed version of the questionnaire is available for candidates who prefer to use the traditional format.  To obtain a hard copy, please contact the League office.  A copy of this questionnaire will be provided to Candidate Evaluation Committee members to help them prepare for your interview.  Candidate responses, except the confidential section, will be available to the general public at the League website. 

 

The Municipal League requests the following materials from candidates.  Please check to make certain you have sent in your:

 

      Candidate Questionnaire

          Sent by:         Email             US Mail          Fax            Not Sending

      Resume (education, employment, and professional activities)

          Sent by:         Email             US Mail          Fax            Not Sending

               Check here if you DO NOT want your resume posted on the Municipal

                   League website

      Campaign Materials

          Sent by:         Email             US Mail          Fax            Not Sending

      Constituent Newsletters and other publications

          Sent by:         Email             US Mail          Fax            Not Sending

      Photograph

          Sent by:         Email             US Mail          Fax            Not Sending

 

Note: Electronically submitted questionnaires are strongly preferred. All materials can be emailed to rebecca@munileague.org.  They can be processed and made available on-line far more rapidly than handwritten or typed submissions.

 

For non-electronic submissions, please print clearly and legibly and return the application as soon as possible in order to allow the committee the greatest amount of time to prepare a complete report on your skills and experience.

 

If you have not yet been contacted to schedule an interview, or if you have questions about the candidate evaluation program, please contact the League office at 206-264-1070.

 

If you have a disability and require accommodation to participate in the candidate evaluation process, please contact Rebecca Cooper at the League office.

2005 Candidate Questionnaire

 

SECTION I               

 

BASIC CANDIDATE INFORMATION

 

1.      Name as it will appear on the ballot

 

First Name

Middle Initial or Nick Name

Last Name

Shirley

A.

Gaunt-Smith

 

2.   Office sought (include office, jurisdiction, position/district number):

 

King County Council, Position 9

 

3.   Are you the incumbent?                  Yes              No

 

 

4.   How long have you resided in this district/city?

 

35 years

 

5.   How long have you resided in King County?

 

67 Years

 

6.   Is the office sought partisan or nonpartisan?         Partisan      Nonpartisan         

                                                                                                                       

7.   If partisan, please indicate party:  Democractic

 

CAMPAIGN CONTACTS

 

 

Campaign Name:

 

A Voice for the Ordinary Citizen

 

Address:

 

P. O. Box 1185

 

City/State/Zip:

 

Renton, WA  98057-1185

 

Campaign Phone:

 

425-228-8763

 

 

Campaign Fax:

 

     

 

 

Campaign E-mail:

 

Gauntsmith@comcast.net

 

 

Campaign Website:

 

Under development

 

 

POLITICAL BACKGROUND

 

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)

Precinct Committee Officer

 

Elected

 

2003 to Present

 

Represent precinct

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

 

2.   If you ran for public office but were not elected, please list those races below:

 

Office Title

Year of Run

Not applicale

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 


 SECTION III

 

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.)

 

     After raising two daughters in rural King County and retiring from a 38-year career at Boeing as a computer engineer/manager, I finally (!) had the pleasure of completing a BA degree in Foreign Studies and Philosophy. In 2004, I added a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Dan Evans School at the University of Washington. About 3 years ago, now a 16-year member of the Renton Highlands community, I began attending local Democratic Party meetings. I was elected a Precinct Committee Officer. As a Kerry Delegate, I attend all of the state-level caucuses.

     When I attended the Eleventh Legislative District General Membership meeting on July 19, I learned that the Democratic-endorsed candidate for King County Council position 9 had decided not to file. It appeared that only two candidates planned to file for the position--both of whom were Republicans. Until then, the thought of running for an elected office had not been on my list of goals. After the meeting, I chatted with some colleagues expressing an interest in becoming a candidate. Each enthusiastically encouraged me to do so.  After a call to Susan Sherry, the King County Democratic Party chairwoman, I decided to file.

     So, why am I running? After all, I consider myself an “ordinary citizen” with no real experience in politics. In recent years, and particularly after the last national election, I have become increasingly concerned about the lack of involvement of folks like me in the political process. I am all too aware that it is difficult, if not impossible, for people in the midst of raising a family, pursuing a career, and building their retirement to make the commitment required of a candidate for an elected position. However, when I stop and think about the last several years, it seems so many decisions I have made, and opportunities I’ve been given, have pointed me to my candidacy for a King County Council position. I am convinced that my long years of service in nonprofit agencies, my successful career at Boeing in a male-dominated environment, and my contemporary education in public administration have equipped me with a rock-solid foundation for my candidacy.

    As I said before, I have little experience in the political campaign arena, other than my recent efforts on behalf of the candidacy of Dave Ross. But, I’m learning quickly and am delighted at the outpouring of support and encouragement, not only at the Democratic Party level, but from colleagues, friends and families of colleagues, and people I meet.

     The name of my campaign, “A Voice for the Ordinary Citizen” holds great meaning for me. If elected, I am certain I can fulfill that promise.

 


 

2.      Describe your most important personal characteristics or traits as they relate to the office you seek.

 

•           Proven leadership skills with a demonstrated emphasis on building consensus (I worked for many years at Boeing within a technical and male-dominated environment of engineers.  I continually had to prove my technical expertise, graciously compromise to “make it happen,” and walk that narrow line with confidence. I learned well and retired a respected member of the team.)

 

•           Sensitivity to cultural and social diversity, coupled with a willingness to accept people as they are, not as “they should be.”(My 19 years of recovery and involvement in the leadership of  local Alcoholics Anonymous organizations have given me great exposure to a wide range of individuals from all walks of life and social standing. I am well-respected throughout this community for my commitment and dependability.)

 

•           Finely honed research skills (I just completed the intensive and exhaustive research requirements for my recent two college degrees. Faced with the complexity of the issues facing KC District 9, my ability to adequately research, analyze, and evaluate information is of significant value.)

 

•           Ability to bring people together (The success of the accomplishments detailed in the next section were the result of my ability to recognize the strengths that board members and volunteers brought to the effort. My management style is flexible and honors the abilities of the people with whom I work.  When needed, I can provide a more hands-on approach. Most important, I have the experience to recognize when more support and direction is needed from me.)

 

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. 

 

Recovery Centers of King County is a $7 million non-profit organization and the largest nonprofit chemical dependency treatment agency in Washington State.  RCKC serves the needs of low- to moderate-income individuals and families who are dealing with problems related to alcohol/drug use and mental health issues. I led a major reorganization of the agency that included a change in top management.  The effort required strong oral and written communication skills.

 

I also managed the Board’s efforts through a lengthy and complex process of merging South King County Recovery Centers with Central Seattle Recovery Centers. South King County Recovery Centers was a $3 million nonprofit organization with outpatient treatment facilities in Enumclaw, Kent, and Burien and a Detoxification Center in Kent.  SKCRC affiliated with Central Seattle Recovery Centers in 1999. A formal merger of the two agencies was finalized in January 2002     


 

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.

 

     After retiring from Boeing, I was invited to become a member of the Board of Directors, “Recovery Centers of South Seattle." I subsequently served as treasurer, and then became president of this important organization. During my term as president, the organization's CEO left. We then merged with Seattle Recovery Centers and changed the name of our organization to "Recovery Center of King County.  I served as president of this newly formed alliance for 4 more years. I remain a member of the Board of Directors, on leave from my responsibilities until after the election.

 

     Currently, I am president of my condominium association. Throughout the 1970s, I was active in the 4-H youth association, serving as a Leader for 4 years. Over the years, of course, I've been involved in community activities such as Renton River Days and similar events.     

 

 

  1. Please describe the duties of the office you seek.  Which are the most important duties and why?

 

The King County Council members establish policy and, under the leadership of the county executive, manage the business of King County. My experience with nonprofit organizations has established a keen awareness on my part that, if elected, I would not only represent my district, but also all citizens in King County. I know all too well how important it is that community leaders develop and maintain an appreciation for all elements of their constituency.


EDUCATION BACKGROUND SUMMARY

FOR PUBLICATION IN CANDIDATE EVALUATION REPORT

 

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.

 

Bachelor of Arts, University of Washington, 2000, Foreign Studies and Philosophy

 

Master of Arts, Public Administration, Dan Evans School, University of Washington

 

CIVIC INVOLVEMENT SUMMARY

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.

 

     

 

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.

 

 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION AND GOOD LUCK IN YOUR CAMPAIGN!

 

THE MUNICIPAL LEAGUE OF KING COUNTY

 

Candidate Evaluation Coordinator:  Rebecca Cooper

 

810 Third Avenue, Suite 224                  Phone: 206-264-1070                Email: rebecca@munileague.org

Seattle, WA 98104-1614                        Fax: 425-671-0506                        Website: www.munileague.org