Background and experiences

Member of the Town Council since 2013, former chair of the Planning Commission, on which I served for seven years and a former code enforcement officer. Served with Skagit Bay Search & Rescue and the Skagit Watershed Council. I have also volunteered in many capacities in town and in the schools. I have experience in construction, auto mechanics and had a career as a certified holistic health practitioner and clinical hypnotherapist and massage instructor.

Residents’ personal safety and security

I want increased funding for law enforcement and code enforcement and to upgrade equipment for the fire department. The town needs a code enforcement officer with a dedicated vehicle and more traffic taming measures for problem street areas. We should upgrade our contract to better fit our needs with the sheriff’s office, which is a public agency accountable to all residents. The debate over possibly contracting with a sovereign tribal government is something that has been thoroughly explored over the years. I believe we have the best option now with the sheriff’s mutual aid agreement with the highly professional Swinomish police, who also respond for serious incidents in town.

Town approach to starter homes

With today’s land prices and material costs, “starter home” does not necessarily mean affordable. I have long been a proponent for cottage housing. Swinomish is planning a large project on tribal land. Should they decide to sell the property they own in town, there could be an opportunity for another affordable housing development, similar to Channel Cove.

Representing and communicating with residents

I am always available to residents. Most people in town know where I live and know they are welcome to stop by my house or call with concerns or ideas and they do. I research and prepare carefully for meetings and listen to residents to make informed decisions. I stand behind every vote I have taken over the years.

Financial contribution for the La Conner Library

I care about our library and will personally continue to participate in its fundraising. But the town and the library are two separate tax-funded public agencies. The town lies within the La Conner library district. Our residents pay town and library taxes. It is illegal to make gifts of public funds, and the town has no plan to do so in the 2022 budget.

Positioning La Conner for 2050

The past two years show we cannot predict catastrophic events. Therefore, we must keep our infrastructure, including water, sewer and streets, up to date and in good repair and stay abreast of new ideas and technologies as they develop to meet our power and infrastructure needs. We must also keep our community emergency response team equipped and trained for standby. Meanwhile, our job is to carefully look after our precious tax dollars to assure town residents maintain their quality of life.