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 No
4. How long have you resided in this district/city?
5. How long have you resided in King County?
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Lifelong resident |
6. Is the office sought partisan or nonpartisan? Partisan Nonpartisan
CAMPAIGN CONTACTS
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Campaign Name: |
Citizens for Julia Patterson |
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Address: |
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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.
2. If you ran for public office but were not elected, please list those races below:
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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.)
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I KNOW THIS COMMUNITY AND CARE DEEPLY ABOUT IT. I came from four generations of Washingtonians, involved with and committed to this community. I was taught at an early age that the decisions we make today will affect many generations to come. The face of South King County has changed dramatically from the time I was in elementary school - 40 years ago - in the Highline School District. My perspective is broad and enriched by 51 years of change. As a child, I rode my horse down rural roads in South King County; as an adult, I struggle with traffic congestion on the same roads. My graduating class of Tyee High School had one or two faces of color. Tyee High today is completely diverse, easily represented by every continent and dozens of ethnic groups. I know this community and I care about it. I want to work for it and help shape it's future.
COLLABORATIVE WORKING STYLE. Tempered, collaborative working styles outlast ideological, inflexible ones. I can work effectively with people of differing opinion, fully aware that my job is to find solutions, not prove myself "right" or to "win". The public is not being well served by political discussions dominated by those who show an unwillingness to let their personal agendas and political ideologies be tempered. I've worked to change that on the King County Council. A popular new book, The Politics of Hope, references the collaborative relationship that Councilmember Kathy Lambert and I have developed across the aisle, in order to mend the divide. (See *1 attached)
BROAD PUBLIC SERVICE EXPERIENCE I was given a unique opportunity when elected as a founding member to the first city council of the City of SeaTac. Along with my council colleagues, we started a new suburban city from scratch. As a member of the State House from '93 - '96, my political experience matured as I experienced being in both the majority and the minority. As a member of the State Senate from '96 - '00, I served as Chair of the State and Local Government Committee, which gave me broad knowledge in local government governance. As a current member of the King County Council, I have chaired four major council committees, currently serve as a board member for Sound Transit, am Chair of the Transportation Policy Committee for the Puget Sound Regional Council, and Vice Chair for the Regional Transportation Investment District. |
2. Describe your most important personal characteristics or traits as they relate to the office you seek.
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EFFECTIVENESS When I ran for the King County Council in 2001, I listed the following goals for my first term: 1. Increasing bus service to the suburbs 2. Getting light rail all the way to the airport 3. Restoring respect and collaboration on the King County Council 4. Improving relationships with the suburban cities 5. Analyzing ways to more efficiently provide regional services.
Now, at the end of my first term, here's some of what has been accomplished. Please see the the number below, which corresponds with the goal listed above:
1. Bus service to the suburbs has increased. I introduced a proposal which was adopted into law which requires 40% of new bus service to go to South County, 40% to East County, and 20% to Seattle. Previously, Seattle was receiving most of the new service. This change in policy makes sense because the fastest growing portion of our county is in the suburbs.
2. I asked to be appointed to the Sound Transit Board of Directors when first elected. As a Sound Transit Board member, I was able to finally vote, just two weeks ago, on the long negotiated financial plan that will result in lite rail service getting all the way to the terminal.
3. I've worked hard to establish relationships across the aisle, to eliminate the bickering that was prevalent, and to discourage the exclusion of the minority party. I've enjoyed the opportunities provided to Councilmember Kathy Lambert and I to speak regionally about our bi-partisan relationship, and how it's been a benefit to the region. We've spoken to Grad students at the Dan Evans School of Pubic Affairs. We were invited to Washington D.C. to speak at the International Prayer Breakfast. We've mentored young adults interested in political involvement. We are featured in the popular new book, The Politics of Hope.
4. I've been endorsed by every mayor in the new council district #5, Democrats and Republicans alike.
5. In September of 2002, when faced with the worst budget crisis in the history of the County, I lead the effort to form a bipartisan commission to reform King County government to operate more like a business. We've weathered the budget storm while, at the same time, preserving core services for our constituents. County government service was reformed in many ways. Our jail policies were changed to focus on helping repeat offenders get drug, alcohol and mental health treatment. We asked the people of King County if they wanted to support regional parks with a special, dedicated tax, and they agreed at the ballot box by voting yes. We identified and preserved our core human services.
COLLABORATION AND RESPECT. I believe that the language of politics is all too often the language of conflict. The conscious use of exaggerated statements and the negative stereotyping of those we disagree with is common-place in political discourse today. Political opponents ignore each others' explanations and they miss opportunities to collaboratively negotiate. Instead of distrusting Republicans and others with different points of view, and suppressing empathy for their perspective, I look for joint problem solving opportunities. I discourage my colleagues from using vengeance or retaliation, and I try to work for reconciliation. This is how we keep our families together; why not our society and our political structure, as well? I work to avoid personalization of issues, and try to encourage personal relationships that build trust. I am not perfect and have much more to learn about this, but it is very important to 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.
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a. As a member of the Sound Transit Board of Directors, I insisted that one of our priorities be that light rail reach the airport so it wasn't a "train to nowhere". Last month we unveiled the financial plan to get light rail to the SeaTac terminal. This fulfilled one of the goals I outlined in my 2000 election for the King County Council. (See*2, attached) b. I introduced a proposal that was adopted into law that permanently changed the way Metro allocates bus service hours. I introduced this proposal as an amendment to the metro service plan update in the Regional Transit Committee. It was later adoped, by a slim one vote majority, by the King County Council. More service is now being directed to the suburbs, which is where our region's most rapid growth is taking place. This accomplished one of the goals that I stressed in my 2000 election for the King County Council. (See*3, attached) c. As Vice Chair of the Regional Transportation Investment District, I am working to fix this regions congestion problem. I organized a group of business, labor and environmental leaders to help craft a ballot proposal. It is likely that this road proposal will be put on the ballot jointly with Sound Transit Phase 2 in the Fall election of 2006. (See *4, attached)
ELECTION REFORM a. In the wake of errors discovered in the 2004 election, I called for the commission of an independent, outside, profesional audit of the King County Department of Elections. The Council agreed with this proposal, and passed a motion to hire search for the auditing team. Today, the nation's top elections experts are analyzing the operations and scrutinizing the organization of our Department of Elections. Their recommendations will be presented in early October. b. I lead the effort, along with my Republican colleague Kathy Lambert, to pass common sense election reforms. These reforms included requiring that provisional ballots be reformatted, recommendations on the consolidation of our elections department into one organized space, providing additional training for our temporary elections workers, and fully considering the pros and cons associated with an all "vote-by-mail" election. We realized that in order to pass reforms in the wake of the controversy created by the closest race for Governor in the history of our country, that we would need a proposal that had bi-partisan support. (see*5, *6 - attached)
RESPECT AND COLLABORATION I believe that the best public policy is developed when partnerships are created between those with opposing view points. I regularly work with members of the opposing party to find solutions. Many of the partisan tensions have eased on the King County Council over the past four years, even though we occasionally differ regarding policy. Our budgets pass unanimously, and we work across the aisle on most issues. (see *7 attached) |
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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CHAIR, WORLD VISION ADVISORY COUNCIL World Vision is known for it's international efforts to address global poverty. Most are unaware of the fact that they are also involved domestically. I chair the advisory committee that helps guide them in their efforts to help the poor in our region.
Y.M.C.A. 2004 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR, and Board Member Nominated volunteer of the year for 2004. The Y.M.C.A. is involved in a capital campaign to build a new facility in the City of SeaTac.
SMALL BUSINESS OWNER When our children were small, my husband, Pat, and I owned a small construction business that specialized in the construction of custom homes. We did this for over six years. I learned a great deal about how business is affected by factors sometimes out of it's control. Taxation must be fair, and applied proportionately so that to discourage unfair competitive advantage. Low unemployment gives the public confidence and buying power. Low interest rates make home ownership possible. Strong public education results in a well trained workforce.
EDUCATION VOLUNTEER I've spent countless hours volunteering in our public schools, teaching children to read and use the computer. I've served as a civics mentor in the same middle school classroom that I sat in 39 years ago. I often speak to high school history and social studies classes in order to share my knowledge of government and the legislative process. I serve annually as a judge for the state 'We The People' contest.
MOTHER OF THREE I am the mother of three grown children - the last of which is a senior in high school. Through the years, they provided me with conflict resolution opportunities, tested my fortitude and ability to hold firm on my "positions", exposed me to foreign perspectives, humbled and challenged me regularly !
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5. Please describe the duties of the office you seek. Which are the most important duties and why?
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I am responsible for assuring that the principles of representative democracy are carried out. All of the following duties must be tended to:
-I vote on behalf of the people who elect me with regard to how the County budget is to be allocated, and with regard to the establishment of law.
-I provide a voice, on behalf of my constituency, to the regional discussions relating to major pubic policy challenges, such as, transportation, public safety, human services, economic development, environmental responsibility and other related public quality of life issues.
-I serve as a role model, by upholding the constitution, being law abiding, providing public service, and helping others understand their government.
-I daily remind myself of what people constantly tell me they want from their elected oficials - listen carefully, work hard, and be honest.
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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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Bachelors of Science in Society and Justice, W.S.U., 1975 Bachelors of Arts in English, U. of W., 1982 |
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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Chair, World Vision Advisory Council. Y.M.C.A., 2004 Volunteer of the Year, and Board Member. Annual Judge, WE THE PEOPLE CONTEST - a civics education program. Education volunteer in our public schools and universities. Southminster Presbyterian Church. Former State Senate and House member. Founding member of the SeaTac City Council. |
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