The Bellingham Herald sent questionnaires to candidates for major offices in the November 2011 general election. Candidates answered the following questions in their own words.
These are unedited; candidates were limited to 300 words per question.
For quick links to each candidate's reponses, click on their names below:
The election is Nov. 8. If you are not registered to vote in Washington, you can register in person at the Whatcom County Auditor's Office until Monday, Oct. 31.
If you are registered to vote but miss the deadline to update your address, you can still vote. Contact the county elections office where you are currently registered in order to obtain a ballot.
Elected office you seek: Everson City Council, Position 5
Age: 31
Family: Wife Rebecca; children Natasha 11, Melody 9, Andrew 7, Moira 4, and Grace due in December.
Education: High school diploma, completed the OMEGA program at Summit Pacific College, completed vocational schooling for insurance industry.
Work experience: Worked for Wonder bread and Mother's Cookies doing delivery from 1999-2005. Opened an insurance agency in 2005 that I still own and run.
Civic experience: I have organized fundraising events with March of Dimes. I have organized and sponsored multiple years of giving out the M.I.L.K (Managing Information On Lost Kids) program for children at the Northwest Washington Fair. I have also volunteered many hours to local church and youth organizations.
Email: agentjewell@gmail.com
Q and A
Candidates answered the following questions in their own words. These are unedited; candidates were limited to 300 words per questions.
Would you ever consider a merger between Everson and Nooksack? Why or why not?
I would support a merger if the people of Everson and Nooksack wanted it. I think that a merger could offer a lot of benefits to both communities by streamlining the government and reducing duplications of expenses. A merger would offer the people of both communities better services at a reduced cost of providing those services and a reduced cost of government. It would still allow people of both communities to have a voice in their government and services provided by their combined local government. I believe that anytime we can reduce government and the cost of government it is a win for the citizens it serves.
What are your hopes for growth in for Everson? How would you achieve them?
I would like to see Everson grow while maintaining our local, small town feeling. Growth is the only alternative to a community dying. It is important to keep the values of the people in our community while it is growing. This can only be achieved when local government, the citizens and small business work together. This type of cooperation results in an environment that allows small business to thrive, and maintains the local small town feel.
What type of businesses would you like to see in Everson? How would you attract them to the city?
Everson needs retail to grow and revitalize our downtown area. It would also be good to see more industrial and family wage jobs in our community. I think the number one way to attract new business in a community is to make it easy for them to come and do business. The role of government in commerce is to provide a good environment for the business to meet the needs of their customers in the community. If we help make an environment that allows business to come and be profitable, than the demand of the people of the community will dictate which businesses will come and which will succeed.
Other than the above, what do you think are the biggest issues facing Everson and how would you address them on City Council?
As a major route between Canada and Bellingham, we see a lot of traffic and a lot of people passing through our community. It is vital that we support and allow our law enforcement to grow with the demand and changes that are here and coming. One of the great things about living in Everson is the safety it affords and the knowledge that if you forget to lock your car it will still be there in the morning. In a changing world we must stay vigilant if we wish to remain a safe and family-friendly community.
What makes you the best candidate for the City Council position?
I am vested in this community. I have lived in Everson for 11 years and I am raising 5 children here. This is my home and I want to protect it and help it to grow to be even better. I also own a small business and fully understand budgeting and fiscal responsibility. I understand that when my expenses are higher than my income I don't just charge my customers more but look at ways to cut expenses and streamline my business so that I can provide better service at a more economical price. This same approach is what I would take to the City Council. We do not need more government and the answer to financial short falls is not to just raise income but to be responsible with what we have already been entrusted with. I understand that as a member of the City Council I would be working for my neighbors who are my fellow citizens of Everson.
Elected office you seek: Everson City Council, Position 5
Age: 45 (by Election Day)
Family: Spouse Patti Rowlson; children Kelsey, 19, and Branden, 16.
Education: Two years of business courses at the University of Washington.
Work experience: Director of Human Resources at Whatcom Transportation Authority.
Civic experience: Served on the Everson City Council since 2000, former member of Everson Lions Club, former youth soccer coach.
Email: rowlson1@gmail.com
Q and A
Candidates answered the following questions in their own words. These are unedited; candidates were limited to 300 words per questions.
Would you ever consider a merger between Everson and Nooksack? Why or why not?
I was involved in the effort to bring this issue in front of Everson and Nooksack citizens a few years ago. I personally believe merging our two small communities is an important question that deserves consideration, study and discussion. Looking at the issue from a financial and municipal perspective, I think these two very small cities merging into one would be more efficient, and allow all citizens to receive enhanced services. The most important issue with a merger, however, is whether the citizens of Everson and Nooksack see concrete benefits to a merger and actually want to join. It is my understanding that, unless things have changed in the last few years, both cities are not interested in merging at this time. But I am open to hearing the thoughts and ideas of citizens again.
What are your hopes for growth in for Everson? How would you achieve them?
I believe Everson is and should remain a comfortable, friendly place to raise a family. To achieve that, it is important the City Council continues to insist that smart growth occurs with the proper enhancements like walking trails, sidewalks, and modest expansion of the park system. Rules have been put in place over the years to assure quality development, which I believe have been successful. There's more work to do though, such as encouraging infill within Everson as opposed to expanding into the farm lands around the edge of the City.
In the downtown core, a lot of effort has occurred to enhance the appearance of the City. Sidewalks on Main Street were recently completed, City Hall's reader board was replaced, and the Mayor led a very successful effort, with the City Council's full support, to redo the downtown park. In addition, the City worked with businesses that are expanding by helping them with the required permitting process.
What type of businesses would you like to see in Everson? How would you attract them to the city?
While I don't see Everson becoming a manufacturing hub like Sumas, I do believe Everson should do our best to become a regional shopping area. Everson has historically been a hub for commerce because the bridge over the Nooksack River is located in town. I believe Everson could support more business, with people coming from the Foothills, Sumas and Deming to get services such as banking, insurance and a farmer's market. A few years ago, the City Council hired a consultant to assist the City with economic development. There is more to do in this area, perhaps with a partnership with the Port of Bellingham.
Regarding manufacturing development, the City is working hard to bring sewer and water services to land zoned for manufacturing. This multi-year effort is important so a potential business could start up quickly. The City is making steady efforts in planning and implementing these improvements.
Other than the above, what do you think are the biggest issues facing Everson and how would you address them on City Council?
Over the last several years and based on a lot of effort and planning, Everson's general fund reserve has risen from $7,000 to approximately $150,000 today. That financial reserve has helped the City cope with its biggest issue today: the budget. The general fund reserve has helped the City to get through rough financial times recently, while still delivering efficient services to citizens. I believe it is very important for the City to continue spending money wisely by focusing on maintaining existing services instead of expanding them.
What makes you the best candidate for the City Council position?
I have had the honor of serving on the Everson City Council since 2000. During that time, I have helped in many planning efforts including expansion of the water treatment plant, repaving streets, comprehensive planning for our sewer treatment plant and helping to stabilize and grow the City's financial reserves. Also, as a career human resources expert, I have been called upon many times to share knowledge with the City during various contract negotiations and with day-to-day situations. I believe the current City Council team is a very strong unit that works well together. It is my hope that the voters will agree and choose to elect me for four more years. Thank you.
