Since incumbent Jeff McGinty is not seeking reelection, that means two newcomers will be facing off for Poulsbo City Council’s position 4 seat in the Nov. 7 general election, a four-year term.
Reba Harris has been the manager of Kitsap Mental Health Services since June and previously was a mental health therapist for Fishline Comprehensive Services in Poulsbo. The voter’s pamphlet states she has a background working in substance abuse, the opioid epidemic and mental health for the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe and King County Public Health.
Doug Newell is a Poulsbo planning commissioner and previously led finance and construction for Central Kitsap School District, building schools and community partnerships, including the new CK Campus, the Seabeck Community Center and the new Silverdale Library, per the voter’s pamphlet.
Both candidates were asked two questions.
What are the five biggest issues facing the city and what is your stance on them?
Harris: Poulsbo has some of the same social and economic problems as larger municipalities. According to the city’s Planning Department, 90% of people who work in Poulsbo’s businesses can’t afford to live here. Many of the 600 new students who will join Olympic College’s new programs in healthcare over the next two years will need housing. And Poulsbo seniors, another growing population (40% of our residents will be over the age of 60 by the end of this decade) need affordable options so they may age in place in their established and beloved community.
The state of Washington’s Growth Management Act mandates planning for a growing population. The city needs more, and more affordable, apartments, townhomes, and other living spaces in a thriving city core. Transportation needs, including public transportation and parking, accompany growth – and must be addressed from an environmentally sustainable perspective. All of it – people, homes, vehicles, services, infrastructure and amenities – must be planned and managed while protecting our green space, habitat and water.
Kitsap has been declared a “healthcare desert.” A report last year revealed that the county has only 50% of the healthcare resources needed by our county’s current population. Shockingly, the GMA does not mandate access to medical care as our population grows.
Having been a therapist I’ve seen the needs of our community firsthand. I will continue to advocate for the resources we need, including for BIPOC, seniors and those with different abilities.
Some of Poulsbo’s budgetary priorities raise questions. Poulsbo definitely needs a modern community and recreation center to serve all its residents, from youngsters to seniors. If current plans by the Raydient corporation to build a major sports complex just outside Poulsbo are successful, how will that impact the use of and revenue expected from the PERC’s soccer fields? With such unexpected and major variables is it time to pause plans for the PERC in order to make the wisest investment of public funds?
Newell: 1) Keeping Poulsbo open and welcoming. Our city attracts individuals, families and businesses that appreciate our identity and scale. It is a community of participation where we know our neighbors. As a member of City Council, I will encourage all citizens to remain open and welcoming. We will focus on actions that make our community more vibrant and inclusive.
2) Improving housing affordability and availability. Washington state projects a need to add 1.1 million homes over the next 20 years. Based on those projections, Poulsbo is expecting 1,977 new housing units and 5,646 new residents. How can we add housing and improve affordability? By allowing denser development and smaller residences—including along the 305 corridor and at College Marketplace. We should also implement methods to develop more below-market-rate housing and make appropriate investments in infrastructure (transportation and utilities).
3) Improving access to healthcare. Kitsap trails state and national averages for access to health care. Kitsap Public Health District, working with local communities, engaged John Hopkins to develop recommendations to improve access. We should continue supporting our health district’s efforts to develop an action plan to improve our healthcare system.
4) Investing in public safety and human services. As our population grows, we will need more public safety professionals. This includes investing in our Navigator Program to assist those struggling with mental illness and substance abuse disorders. We should also continue to strengthen our Housing, Health and Human Services department.
5) Expanding our parks. We will need more parks in the future. What can we do? Build the Poulsbo Event and Recreation Center; leveraging Kitsap Public Facilities District funding to add this new recreation facility. We should also improve our urban pathways, including finishing the path along Noll Road from Lincoln Road to Lemolo Shore.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent?
Harris: How does the city meet our urgent needs for affordable housing, health and social resources, environmental protection, and fiscal responsibility within a balanced and equitable framework? There’s a lot about this beautiful city and its government that I don’t know, but I will do my homework, ask questions, listen to the people and make informed decisions.
Newell: I am an experienced public service leader, dedicated to serving our local communities and our nation. My experiences and successes provide a strong foundation in how our city works, in government finances and in the construction of public facilities.
