Housing

Port Angeles is growing faster than our housing development is able to keep up, and the county should work with the cities and special districts to support density within the cities. Building with density in mind allows for greater walkability and access to public transit, which can lower overall cost of living for residents and reduce traffic congestion. When development happens in rural areas, we need to retain most of it as long-term housing.

We also need to ensure that people currently housed remain housed. There are people throughout our county who live with housing insecurities. With the increase in county property values, many people are at risk of losing their homes. One group at particular risk is seniors living in manufactured home parks, where rent is climbing beyond the ability of the residents to pay. Elderly, single women are most at risk in this group. Similarly, as multi-family units are purchased as investment properties, rents are being raised beyond the current residents’ ability to pay. While rent stabilization is not something the county can implement, it is certainly something we can advocate for at the state level.

We also should be prioritizing a housing-first model as the primary approach to housing our most vulnerable residents. A survey of the houseless population found that a houseless person in Port Angeles is significantly more likely to be from the area than someone who owns or rents. Contrary to belief, many unhoused people have jobs but no longer make enough to rent or buy in this community. Housing individuals with addiction or behavioral disorders results in fewer emergency and inpatient hospital visits, which is better for the individuals and for our hospitals. It is policy that is both compassionate and creates better outcomes.

Short-term rental speculation in Port Angeles continues to put working locals in competition with out-of-town investors. There are not enough places for our workers to live and that affects people and businesses. The City Council had a duty to act on behalf of the people of Port Angeles, and not only implemented reasonable short-term rental reform but also made it easier for people to build in the city. We removed regulations that said how many units you can build on a lot, approved permit-ready building plans, and canceled fees to encourage building ADUs. The city has implemented compromise solutions, many of which removed red tape and encourage building in the city limits to address the housing shortage.

Advocate for Working Families & Retirees

As a working parent who has to make ends meet on a single income, I understand the challenges that most people in our community are facing. Groceries and housing have gotten more expensive while the median wage in Port Angeles remains stubbornly low compared to other areas of the state. In my current work on the city council, I carefully weigh all sides of an issue before making decisions that impact the community. Sometimes when consideration is weighed among groups, deference is given to the most impacted group. However, I come from the perspective of a working mother with retired parents, and I know the county can do more to encourage smart housing development, improve healthcare access, sustainably manage public resources, and support living-wage jobs.

Invest in Infrastructure Upgrades

The county has significant infrastructure to maintain and has the added complication of it being quite spread out. There is currently federal money available for infrastructure upgrades and the county can do more to bring these dollars to Port Angeles. Opportunity Funds are another mechanism for the county to invest in infrastructure upgrades. Cooperating with the cities on projects that can help increase housing opportunities – such as the A Street Basin project in Port Angeles – helps the whole county. This is an area where I feel the county should be more proactive, and if re-elected I will continue to advocate for city/county partnership to maintain and upgrade  infrastructure.

Improve Public Safety

We are fortunate to have amazing law enforcement agencies who work well together to support our communities. All of our local law enforcement agencies have been challenged to recruit new people and maintain a well-trained workforce with adequate staffing levels. As a current elected official I hear from people regularly who have concerns about safety. Washington State is 50th in the country for law enforcement officers per capita and we have work to do in that regard. While staffing stays the same, the call volume increases. We need to continue to work to find funding for increasing staffing as well as provide additional training to ensure that we continue to follow best practices.

As elected officials it is important that we continue to support the collaboration among our agencies for policies such as cross deputizing law enforcement officers from neighboring jurisdictions. We also need to advocate at the state level for increased funding for hiring, improved access to training, and working collaboratively with law enforcement on laws impacting their work.

Protect Our Land & Water

The North Olympic Peninsula is a wonderful and desirable place to live. Climate change will continue to drive people here, and it is predicted that Washington will continue to be one of the top 10 fastest-growing states for decades to come. The water we and the salmon depend on, and the land we utilize or let remain wild are precious resources and we must work together to ensure they are sustained for the future. The city must continue to improve collaboration with the people of the Port Angeles, the Department of Natural Resources, and industry to implement practices which reduce nutrient runoff and soil disruption.

Develop Collaborative Relationships

Some of the problems facing our communities can only be addressed by non-profit entities, governmental agencies and individuals working together for the public good. It is crucial that there are strong working relationships between these groups.

Make Transparent Decisions

When I approach a problem, I am interested in real and observed outcomes. I look at what other cities and local governments have done and are doing, and discuss it with residents and stakeholders to determine the best course of action for our communities. Collaboration and public input are also equity issues. When decisions are made by an exclusive group of people, not all voices are at the table. While I have principled beliefs and support certain policies, my role as an elected official is to do my best to represent my constituents and work with others to find agreeable solutions that will move us forward.