La Conner Weekly News - Your independent hometown award-winning newspaper

Background and experiences

La Conner Planning Commissioner

La Conner First on 1st committee member

Retired U. S. Navy master chief (27 Years)

Combat aircrew

Disabled veteran

Teaches ukulele at the Retirement Inn

College graduate

Skagit Valley College

U. S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy

University of Phoenix

President and board member of 1,300 home HOA: Same government model as La Conner

Retired Boeing engineer

Attended over 80 La Conner council meetings.

A lifetime of service and caring.

Residents’ personal safety and security

Hold the sheriff’s office accountable for the 10 minute response time and 80 hours in town per the present contract. Insist on more hours in La Conner. Add some code enforcement items to the policing contract.

Hire one full time or two part time code enforcement officers.

Start a volunteer citizen’s patrol trained, vetted by and controlled by the sheriff

Town approach to starter homes

Research other similar communities for solutions

Enlist, Habitat for Humanity, the Housing Authority of Skagit County, and the Home Trust of Skagit. Possible limited time tax or utility breaks to encourage development

I visited multiple neighborhoods of Habitat for Humanity and Home Trust of Skagit houses built.

Representing and communicating with residents

Encourage residents to attend council meetings. Commit to monthly ads in the paper soliciting input or providing information. LBWA: Leadership by Walking Around. Continue to be a good neighbor. Listen.

Financial contribution for the La Conner Library

The library is one of our town’s most important assets and with the 2022 budget not yet complete, an exact percentage is difficult to commit to. I would support 5-10% if revenues permit. More could be shifted as priorities shift for town infrastructure projects.

Positioning La Conner for 2050

My number one priority for 2050 would be to start now to protect the town from the inevitable flooding from the channel. Global warming is real, and the town will be threatened by then if not sooner. I have seen the channel come to within 15” of running into 1st street just last winter. The town places flood protection near the Moore Clark Building now. We can look to other countries such as the Netherlands for examples on how to protect our town.

With the improved dike system of the Skagit River and infrastructure build up such as higher roads, the Skagit River is less of a threat to the town.

Future generations will thank us.

For livability and economic success by 2050, we need to ensure that we maintain a robust planning commission that is committed to maintaining the unique charm that is La Conner.

Information will be key to maintaining a livable community and a free press, whatever that will look like then, will be essential.