PLATFORM
I value the opportunity to serve our City as a member of the City Council, working with other council members and community members to protect and enhance our community's social, economic, and environmental well-being.
I am an experienced and collegial problem solver. I am effective at studying issues, listening to and learning from differing points of view, and working with others towards a common goal. When there are strongly held, conflicting points of view, I believe I have an ability to see past the conflicts to the essential elements of an issue - to strip away the “personality” or “noise” of an argument or position, and reflect back options to help resolve the disagreement.
ISSUES
Environment & Natural Spaces
I support moderate, graceful growth on our Island. I will strive to develop and improve policies that foster balanced and sustainable growth, while preserving open spaces for future generations.
I will work to protect and promote the environmental quality of our shorelines, open spaces, forests, and farms.
I believe that to achieve these goals requires broad community engagement, and purposeful, visionary, long-term collaboration. We need to work together to maintain a community that welcomes and retains a diverse range of individuals, communities, and natural places, farms, and businesses.
Human Services & Affordable Housing
I served for a number of years on the Board of ElderHealth Northwest, now known as Full Life Care, an organization that provides day health services to the elderly and other frail adults. Through my involvement with Elderhealth and Full Life Care, I gained a good working knowledge of the need for human services in our communities, provided by non-profit organizations, public entities, and through public-private collaboration. I am committed to ensuring that our Bainbridge Island community meets the basic human needs of the less fortunate among us.
I believe in the importance of preserving a healthy diversity of residents on Bainbridge Island, by providing affordable housing opportunities in our community.
Business & Economic Vitality
I will work to maintain and improve a healthy business district in downtown Winslow, and to foster vibrant businesses in Lynwood Center, Rolling Bay, and other neighborhood centers. I will listen to business owners, customers, and neighbors, and work closely with them to address their concerns and needs.
As part of improving the Winslow business district, I will endeavor to develop solutions to issues such as congested traffic and inadequate parking.
I will collaborate with Bainbridge Island citizens, off-Island commuters, the State Department of Transportation, and other stakeholders to create a beautiful and convenient gateway to the Island and the Kitsap Peninsula around the Ferry Terminal.
Transportation & Utilities
Among the most important functions of local government is to make sure our city is served by a healthy infrastructure—good roads, well-designed non-motorized transportation pathways, and reliable ferry service; well-functioning water, power, sewer, and other utilities; and robust communication services.
I will work to enhance our transportation networks; to improve cellular service across the Island; and to support the development and use of sustainable power and other resources.