The city of Issaquah is facing multiple challenges:
The impacts of climate change, including windstorms, the threat of wildfires, and flooding;
A need for affordable housing;
Traffic congestion;
Social concerns, such as mental health crises, increasing drug addiction, and poverty
Public safety and public health
In November 2019, I was honored to be elected to the Issaquah City Council, filling out an unexpired two-year term. In 2021 I ran unopposed for re-election. During nearly six years of service to the Issaquah community, I addressed our many challenges through the following actions:
Voting to capture a .01 percent sales tax from King County for local use in combatting homelessness and building affordable housing. This measure re-directed millions in tax revenues to Issaquah to support outreach to homeless individuals, transitional housing projects, and support for the Transit Oriented Development/Opportunity Center project that will provide about 275 affordable housing units for Issaquah residents.
Serving on the Eastside Transportation Partnership for five years (one as chair) to seek regional solutions to traffic problems facing the Eastside. The ETP includes representatives from 22 Eastside cities and King County, recognizing that ultimate transportation solutions will require large network improvements. Similarly, I have served for three years on the King County Regional Transit Committee, seeking to bring more transit resources to the Issaquah area. I am proud that Issaquah continues to support the MetroFlex "first mile-last mile" van project. I voted to double the amount of funding provided for city road and concrete maintenance, so our roads and sidewalks remain safe and do not deteriorate beyond repair. Finally, I have consistently voted to stay the course on the long-promised Sound Transit light rail station scheduled for Issaquah.
As a result of the pandemic focus on public health, I served on the King County Healthier Here Board of Directors, the Community Connections Advisory Group, and was recently appointed to the King County Board of Health. Ensuring that Issaquah is aware of and prepared for any emergency, including the need for public health measures, continues to be one of my top priorities. I supported, along with the entire Council, creating a new position for Emergency Management, a position that was central to our city's rapid response to the recent bomb cyclone.
Similarly, I have consistently supported the Issaquah Police Department and Eastside Fire & Rescue as they provide excellent public safety services to our residents. During my time on the council, IPD has adopted the use of body cameras and become a national leader in retail crime prevention. Thanks to our police chief, IPD is nearly fully staffed during a time when many police departments struggle to recruit enough officers for adequate coverage.
Finally, I have supported responsible city budgets. I am proud of the work done by the entire council during the pandemic, making the hard decision to reduce staff and trim programs to keep Issaquah on a sound financial footing while still addressing the unexpected, life-altering impacts of the pandemic. The council consistently funneled federal funds to suddenly unemployed residents, struggling local businesses and responses, such as vaccine drives, to the health impacts of COVID19. Again, in 2024, the council addressed reduced sales and construction tax revenues by cutting staff and trimming programs, while balancing fiscal responsibility with the needs of our residents. Quoting Mayor Pauly: "Informed by data, guided by values," the council aimed to continue Issaquah's strong economic position while meeting needs with compassion.
While I am proud of these achievements, there is still much work to be done. Our community desperately needs affordable housing and alternative housing solutions. As a result of the pandemic, homelessness is increasing dramatically and we must find humane strategies to help people re-locate or remain in their homes. Transportation models have been roiled by the “new normal” of telecommuting and loss of funding. And, while I am extremely proud of the city’s larger human services footprint, we need to ensure that our funding is spent strategically, actually improving the lives of Issaquah residents. One clear lesson of the past six years is the strength and resiliency of the Issaquah community. Time and again, I hear about neighbors helping neighbors, about people working together on truly innovative projects, about people sacrificing their time, talents and treasure to make Issaquah the warm and welcoming community that it is.
I am ready and eager to continue working with you to resolve our challenges. I am therefore running in 2025 for re-election to the Issaquah City Council. I hope you’ll trust me once again to represent your needs and concerns locally and regionally. I look forward to working with you, keeping alive the old Issaquah motto: “A special place where people care.”
