Vote by next Tuesday November 7th at 8:00 PM!
Priorities
Sustainable Housing
Sustainable Environment
Sustainable Housing
Diverse and affordable housing is something we all need (even if we don't know it yet).
Sustainable Economy
Sustainable Environment
Sustainable Housing
Let's ensure our revenues exceed our expenditures (plus extra so we can do more).
Sustainable Environment
Sustainable Environment
Sustainable Environment
Protect and respect our environment (and be bold to meet our climate goals).
Kerry in the Community
Homeowner Association
How it happened
You love them, you hate them, you’re indifferent until they start enforcing their CC&Rs. The board invited the community to their monthly meetings, so I showed up. After watching them review and pay the monthly invoices I asked, “How can I help?” I helped with a project and later filled a vacancy on the board (and then another one). My term ends at the end of this year and my plan was to encourage others to run.
What I’ve learned
Serving isn't easy, but my goal was to learn how to work in a community and make tough decisions as a group. When it comes to our homes, it's highly personal. Maintaining respect and positive communications is a two-way street.
The best part
My first order of business was to get our sign power washed and with the help of volunteers, get the lights fixed. We have an active Common Area Maintenance (CAM) Committee. They along with 15 volunteers (myself included) transformed an unsightly and unused common space into a welcoming trail head with a bench.
Planning Commission
How it happened
If at first you don’t succeed, try again. My first submission was for the Human Services Commission a few years ago. Reading the descriptions can be intimidating and you might think you don’t have the right skills. But the point of the commissions are community participation. My first try didn’t work out but always be ready, always be willing.
Vacancies appear all the time and I applied for one on the Planning Commission. By this time, I’d been watching and engaging at city council meetings for a while, and it was easy to articulate why I wanted to work with the city staff and city council as we embark on our Comprehensive Plan update. My term ends in January 2024 which will create a chance for someone else to give it a try.
What I've learned
Things move slowly, but steadily. The agenda is sent out the Friday before the next Thursday meeting. It contains details and links to discussion topics and questions to consider. Sometimes the packets are long and sometimes they're short. The information is reformatted into a presentation at the meeting and afterwards, we comment, ask questions, and make recommendations.
The best part
All the new experiences that I'm exposed to. One memorable moment was when a student reached out to the Planning Commission for a tour of city hall. It was great to hear their interest in city planning and together, meet and talk with city staff in different departments including permitting and finance.
Volunteer
How it happened
I participate in a public speaking club at work. A parent in Sammamish reached out to us and asked if we could volunteer at a local school. I jumped at the chance to volunteer in my own community. I joined the PTSA and got the program going. I'll be starting my third year with 4th and 5th graders this fall. The students not only practice speaking in-front of a group but gain skills giving feedback, listening and time management.
What I've learned
Our youth is fearless! The future looks bright with these students. I can’t thank the teachers and PTSA enough for supporting this program. We can only accept 15 students and have a waiting list. This shows how much parents want local activities for their children. It also exposed me to the school drop-off/pick-up congestion. The challenge is real! I can't reach the school and have to park two blocks away.
The best part
Each session is a joy. The students have a lot of enthusiasm and are always willing to participate. Public speaking is a top fear among adults and my hope is that because of this experience they will always say YES when invited to speak.
