Tell us about your background and how it qualifies you to serve on the city council.
I am a CPA and have a Masters Degree in Business Administration. My first term on the Bremerton city council was from 2001 to 2003. I am currently on the Bremerton city council (2012 to present).
What is the single most pressing issue in your district? What have you done, and what will you do, to address that issue?
Nuisance properties (i.e. drug and/or run-down, derelict houses) blighting our neighborhoods. During my current term, I encouraged the passage of our Abandoned Properties Ordinance and led the effort to pass our Landlord Rental Property Registration ordinance. If re-elected, I will continue to go down the path of cleaning up our city.
If elected, what will be your top three priorities as a member of the city council?
Cleaning up nuisance properties blighting our neighborhoods, improve the business climate to attract and keep more businesses in Bremerton, and continue to find funding sources for our streets without raising your taxes.
Why are you the better candidate in this election? Why should voters choose you?
Two years ago when I ran for council I set specific goals: cleaning up nuisance properties, reducing B&O tax, and improving street funding. As the driving force behind the Abandoned Properties and Landlord Licensing ordinances, along with ordinances increasing income exempt from B&O tax and dedicating existing taxes to our Street Fund I have proven that I am not on council just to attend meetings, I am here to get things done.
If you could change one thing about the City of Bremerton with the flick of a switch, what would it be and why?
A large employer moves its entire operations to Bremerton, reducing our dependence on the government/military sector for family wage jobs. This employer brings hundreds of new jobs to Bremerton and increased interest in living here. This in turn spurs the growth of small businesses and the Wheaton Way corridor becomes rejuvenated, increasing our sales tax base. The increased sales tax revenue in turn provides the city with additional funding to fix our roads.
What would your pitch be to a business owner considering a move to Bremerton?
This is a beautiful area and the cost of living and building rents are lower than in most other areas of the Puget Sound. We have an expanding Olympic College to provide an educated work force and the city of Bremerton is increasing its efforts to become a more business friendly environment
What is your position on the proposed charter amendment that would allow the council to meet in Kitsap County, but outside of the Bremerton city limits?
The reason for the proposed change is to allow the council the ability to meet with other governing boards outside of Bremerton to discuss issues of mutual interest. Because the charter amendment could make it more difficult for citizens to attend a council meeting, my vote will be “no” on the charter amendment (we can still have meetings with other boards, they will just have to meet with us in Bremerton).
