“Seems like candidates hardly ever put what they believe on a brochure anymore.  I’m different.  I think voters deserve to know where I stand.”

Economic Development

Due to my business and legislative background, Economic Development (which includes jobs, workers, business   community, higher education, the environment and transportation) is a priority to me.  No other candidate has my hands on experience and successes of actually creating thousands of jobs and stimulating Washington’s economy.  As a committee chairman, I was a leader in the House and when I go to the Senate I will again be a leader on Economic Development and International Trade issues. 

 

Affordable Housing

A healthy economy with a strong job base is the best way to increase home ownership and protect the availability of affordable rental housing.  As a Republican advocate for low-income housing assistance, I know there are people who need help finding affordable housing. I’ve worked hard to preserve section 8 housing and to help provide housing for migrant farm workers members through the years. 

 

Lake Whatcom Drinking Water

Lake Whatcom no longer gets churned and flushed since Georgia Pacific left Bellingham.  I do not want one more study or one more anything other than immediate action to address the lake’s water quality.  We need to continue to divert the Nooksack River into the lake to clean our drinking water.  This is the least expensive solution and the most  immediate.  This diversion helps preserve the city’s water reserves and flushes the lake.  I am an environmentalist and conservationist, but it does no good to preserve anything if we are all dying of thirst over politics.  I care deeply about the safety of every citizen in the county who depends on that water.  Politicians need to play politics with something other than our drinking water.  We do not have to close this lake to boaters or fisherman.  There are solutions to resolve the water quality issue, while at the same time allowing us to enjoy the beauty of Lake Whatcom recreationally. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Higher Education

Having served several years on the House Higher Education Committee, I understand the importance of local access to higher education facilities.  I also know the importance of working with faculty and students to keep Western Washington University at the top of the funding list when state budgets are prepared.  I have a long history of working with and for Western Washington University, as well, as being supportive of local technical and community colleges. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ferries

Ferries are an important part of the economic engine for the 40^th District. From  tourism to transporting products, our ferries are vital for jobs and the quality of life we enjoy.  It’s essential we keep our ferries running properly. Recently I was the only Senate candidate that attended the State Ferry Advisory Committee meetings held in Anacortes and Friday Harbor.  I understand your concerns on fare          increases, parking costs, reservations, better service and more ferries.  We must maintain our state water highways in the San Juan Islands.  When the Washington State Transportation Commission proposed shutting down the Anacortes-Sidney ferry run, I was the legislator who introduced legislation and stepped in with the power of a committee chairman and held hearings in Olympia and helped strategically stop that closure. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Puget Sound Energy (PSE Sale)

I oppose the proposal of foreign ownership for Puget Sound Energy.  In the past I’ve supported and defended PSE.  Many foreign firms already own companies in Washington. Many of those companies sell products that we all want and often use, but the PSE sale is different.  Our utilities operate as monopolies.  We have no other source to buy from.  They don’t just sell a product we want — they sell a product we need to survive.  It is unwise to allow our basic needs to be controlled by foreigners thousands of miles away.  I am not adverse to foreign ownership of most USA companies, but I don’t want any foreign entity buying Boeing, the local water or the local electric company, or even the state highway or our ferry system (as is happening with toll roads in the Midwest now.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Citizens/Alzheimer’s

I’ve long been an advocate on issues critical to the health and well-being of senior citizens.  During my last few years in the House of Representatives, I spent most lunch times in a nursing home in Olympia enjoying visiting with my father who had Alzheimer’s.  I know what families and caregivers go through with this debilitating disease.  I was co-chair and keynote speaker at the annual Alzheimer and Caregiver day in Olympia. I know the need for supportive community resources for families caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s or other major illnesses. 

 

Chuckanut Mountain Park District Plan

I have been a very visible and vocal opponent of this plan and as a candidate for the Senate you deserve to know why.  I became involved on this “park” issue before I decided to run for the Senate.  I’m the only Senate candidate actively involved with it.  When elected, I will work with people on both sides to address the problems and concerns in the current law, so we never again have to see the negative conditions that have been forced on citizens in parts of Whatcom and Skagit counties. 

 

The Chuckanut Mountain Park District issue is not a Democrat or a Republican issue.   Many of you heard me speak on this matter before the Skagit Boundary Review Board or at Lairmont Manor in Fairhaven.  We set aside party differences and worked shoulder to shoulder to preserve this mountain range and our own personal properties.  As your Senator, I will continue to work with you on this issue that we care about.  It is very personal to me.  Nobody cares any more than I do about what happens to those mountains. The beautiful view of these mountains have been a part of my life since birth.

 

The Chuckanut Mountain Park District proposal would reduce tax money that schools, fire districts, hospitals and libraries will receive.   I’m opposed to that.  The proposal goes way beyond the original legislative intent of the law authorizing Metropolitan Park Districts.  This proposal would create a park district on the top of two mountains far from population, but it’s not about parks or the recreational use of a park. In fact, NO PARK is created, only a taxing district is created.

 

I am a 40+ year member of the Mountaineers.  I believe this proposal is anti-environment. The plan’s proponents say their proposal will bring one    million people to our area to walk all over these mountains and our neighborhoods and roads.  I have a public record of supporting tourism in this state, but I do not want one million people trampling over these mountains and going through your neighborhoods in Fairhaven, Chuckanut Crest, Lake Samish, Alger, Bow Hill or other areas to get there. 

The current proposal is splitting neighbors, friends and communities.     Local parks should bring people together not divide them.  This attempt to create a park district (or tax district) has people afraid they will lose their homes, either from eminent domain and the taking of their property by the government or by being taxed out of their homes, because of high property taxes. This proposal is wrong.   As your Senator, I’ll work to clarify the original intent of the law that has been used to force this ill-advised proposal on our neighborhoods. 

 

NOTE:   Both Skagit & Whatcom Boundary Review Boards have turned down

this plan.  Hundreds of concerned citizens have shown their unified opposition. 

Plan proponents have now filed suit and are challenging both Boards.

 

“Thank you for coming to my website to learn where I stand on the issues.  I’m ready to represent the 40th District in the state Senate to the best of my ability. Together we CAN make a difference.  I ask for your vote in the upcoming Primary Election by August 19th.  It would be an honor to work with you and serve you as your next Senator.”