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

Cindy

S

Ryu

 

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

 

Shoreline City Council Position #5

 

3.   Are you the incumbent?                  Yes              No

 

 

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

 

4 years previously, 7 years most recently = 11 years total in the City of Shoreline

 

5.   How long have you resided in King County?

 

10 years previously, 7 years most recently = 17 years total

 

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

                                                                                                                       

7.   If partisan, please indicate party:       

 

CAMPAIGN CONTACTS

 

 

Campaign Name:

 

Cindy Ryu for Shoreline City Council

 

Address:

 

15021 Aurora Ave N

 

City/State/Zip:

 

Shoreline, WA  98133-6134

 

Campaign Phone:

 

(206) 362-8832 or (206) 605-1588 Cell

 

 

Campaign Fax:

 

(206) 363-7040

 

 

Campaign E-mail:

 

cr15000@yahoo.com

 

 

Campaign Website:

 

www.CindyRyu.com

 

 

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)

Shoreline Bond Advisory Committee

 

Appointive

 

2003-2004

 

     

 

Precinct Committee Officer

 

Appointive then Elective

 

2003-2006

 

Leg District Campaigns Coordinator (2004)

32nd LDDO State Committee Woman (2005-2006)

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

 

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

 

Office Title

Year of Run

Shoreline City Council Position #2

 

2003

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 


 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.)

 

Several years ago, City of Shoreline invited residents and businessowners of Shoreline to review the Aurora Avenue project.  I saw two major concerns: 

1) Cost of the project and

2) Design of the project with its impact on those who utilize this highway, as well as those who conduct business along Aurora Avenue. 

The cost of this project (at that time $19,000,000. for 20 blocks; now $30,000,000. and rising) was explained to me as being affordable because it was mostly "free money" with only 15% local money and 85% from county, state, and federal sources.  Reduction of access to local businesses and significant reduction of left-hand turns, necessitating U-turns at mid-blocks and intersections, are still in the current design for those of us going in the "wrong" direction.

 

Since my questions were not satisfactorily addressed, I started examining many of the City’s capital projects.  When the opportunity came up, I served on the Shoreline Bond Advisory Committee.  From Council deliberations and by consulting fellow Shoreline residents and businessowners, I realized that the current majority of the City Council members (as well as the senior staff) were ready to commit the people of Shoreline to extensive debt for the Aurora Avenue project as well as other capital projects that were not high priority items for many Shoreline residents. 

 

Without our consent, they were willing to commit us and our children to long-term debt, thereby jeopardizing our public schools by taking advantage of our willingness to pass bonds for parks and schools.  To make matters worse, people’s opinions and voices were typically ignored if not in agreement with the senior staff and the majority of the Council members. 

 

Some of my cousins still live under a dictatorship.  I came to America for its opportunities and its representative democracy.  I am for equal and fair representation, for allowing all community voices to be heard in the City’s affairs.  When I saw what was happening in Shoreline, I decided to do something about it, by running for public office.

 


 

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

 

When I commit to something, I commit 100% to doing a good job.

 

I am tenacious.

 

I am willing to make some personal sacrifices for the greater good.

 

I prefer to give more information rather than withhold information, thanks to my scientific training.

 

I appreciate it when others do the same, including governments, even if it is bad news.

 

With adequate information, I believe reasonable people can make best possible decisions.

 

I believe in the goodness of people until they prove me wrong.

 

I try to leave a place cleaner than I found it, try to share with those I meet, and am pleasant most of the time.

 

People enjoy my sense of humor.

 

My attitude is, "We only live once, so let's get something done and have fun doing it."

 

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. 

 

Despite English being my second language and overcoming extreme shyness, I obtained my MBA degree from what was considered by my fellow Korean students, a very difficult program to get into.  Because of my shyness and self-consciousness, I was limiting my effectiveness.   I joined Toastmasters, practiced impromptu speaking, prepared and gave speeches, even though it was extremely difficult and uncomfortable. I would rather have sat for SAT's, MCAT's, and GMAT's. I ran for and was elected the Vice-President/President-Elect of the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce.  The President moved his business away from Shoreline, sold his property on Aurora Avenue due to the impending project, and resigned.  Therefore, I became President of the Chamber ten months earlier than expected.  I have learned to run meetings, to motivate volunteers and staff, and to represent the business community of Shoreline.

 

In 2003 I ran for Shoreline City Council Position #2 against an 8-year incumbent who was very popular.  I lost the General Election by 797 votes, despite months of hard work and new challenges, including public speaking.  After a brief period of recovery of my physical, mental and emotional being, I stayed engaged.  I attended Council meetings, and when issues arose, I often shared what I had learned.  I consulted with and gave advice to those who had land use and capital project issues.  I continued to study the city budget and spoke up when I had concerns or questions.

 

In 2004 I took on the challenge of organizing the 32nd Leg District Democrats as the Legislative District Campaigns Coordinator.  We divided the district up into clusters. Cluster coordinators recruited, organized, trained volunteers. We procured materials for grassroots voter registrations, doorbelling, and "Get Out The Vote" efforts.  Despite the lack of contested races, we turned out the 3rd highest percentage of voters in the State for the Primary Election.


 

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.

 

My husband and I are parents of three great children who attend public schools in Shoreline & at the U. of Washington.

 

We own and manage a Shoreline Allstate Insurance agency which Cody started in 1983 in the Aurora Sears Store (1989-2005).

 

Harborview Medical Center Admissions Officer (1980-1981)

 

University Hospital Financial Officer - Medicaid Applications Unit (1981-1982)

 

King County Medical Blue Shield Customer Service (1983-1984)

 

Seattle City Light Distributions Division (1984-1985)

 

City of Seattle Department of Construction and Land Use Management Systems Analyst (1985-1989) and Records/Microfilm Unit supervisor

 

Allstate Insurance Employee Agent (1990-2000)

 

Shoreline Chamber of Commerce President (2005-2006)

 

Various PTA positions (1990-2004)

 

Richmond Beach Community Association Board Member (2004-2006)

 

Shoreline Bond Advisory Committee Member (2003-2005)

 

Precinct Committee Officer (2004-2006)

 

32nd Legislative District Democrats Campaigns Coordinator (2004)

 

32nd Legislative District Convention Logistics Coordinator (2004)

 

32nd Legislative District Democrats State Committeewoman (2005)

 

Korean United Presbyterian Church Sunday School Teacher &  Treasurer (1999-2004);

(Member since 1983)

 

 

 

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

 

Represent the people of Shoreline.

 

Establish City of Shoreline policies and laws.

 

Adopt an annual budget, approve appropriations, contract for services and grant franchises.

 

Represent the City at functions and meetings.

 

 

The most important duties in order of importance are:

 

1. Represent the people of Shoreline so that the people can go about their personal lives without worrying about good governance - people need to feel "they're in good hands."

 

2. By listening to the people and by representing the people, establish policies and laws that make Shoreline a good place to live, so that the government is a tool to help make our city what the people desire.

 

3. Show fiscal responsibility and accountability by thinking of the taxpayers when we're spending tax dollars.


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.

 

Master of Business Administration, Operations Management, University of Washington 1983

Bachelor of Science with Honors, Microbiology and Immunology, UW 1980

 

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.

 

My husband and I are parents of 3 great children who attend public schools in Shoreline & at the U. of Washington.

We own and manage a Shoreline Allstate Insurance agency which Cody started 1983 in the Aurora Sears Store (1989-2005).

Harborview Medical Center Admissions Officer (1980-1981)

University Hospital Financial Officer - Medicaid Applications Unit (1981-1982)

King County Medical Blue Shield Customer Service (1983-1984)

Seattle City Light Distributions Division Administrative Support Assistant (1984-1985)

City of Seattle Department of Construction and Land Use Management Systems Analyst (1985-1989)

Allstate Insurance Employee Agent (1990-2000)

Shoreline Chamber of Commerce President (2005-2006)

Various PTA positions (1990-2004)

Richmond Beach Community Association Board Member (2004-2006)

Shoreline Bond Advisory Committee Member (2003-2004)

Precinct Committee Officer (2004-2006)

32nd Legislative District Democrats Campaigns Coordinator (2004)

32nd Legislative District Convention Logistics Coordinator (2004)

32nd Legislative District Democrats Committeewoman (2005)

Korean United Presbyterian Church Sunday School Teacher &  Treasurer (1999-2004)

(Member since 1983)     

 

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