Issues and Concerns Important to the Community
For the past several months, I’ve been posting information about issues important to our community. I’ve compiled them here in case you’re still doing research ahead of the election.
Gig Harbor has changed a lot in the past 10 years, and I share your concern. Change is inevitable. It's how we change that is important. We need to make conscious decisions, using data and information instead of fear. I will continue to ask what the problem is that we are trying to solve...with growth and all issues facing the city.
Please email me if you have questions.
Business Support and Development
Businesses, small and large are our economic engine. They provide jobs and taxes to our community. I support business vitality throughout the city. Our small businesses are especially struggling because of the pandemic. That's one of the reasons I supported the short term rental permitting process in Gig Harbor.
We need to support our businesses and help them thrive. Each contributes to making Gig Harbor a vibrant community for all.
Currently there are two obvious areas of town, the Village Shopping Center and Peninsula Shopping Center on Judson, in need of renovation or development. These are in addition to the fabulous areas we have like Uptown and Gig Harbor North. I support and will advocate for both areas to be converted to shopping spaces of which we can be proud. I'm especially intrigued by the idea of putting apartments on top of retail as a way to provide housing for workers in the area. I'd also like to see some community spaces where people can gather, and parking but want to know what you want.
Climate Change
Climate change is real. The drastic swings in weather we are seeing this summer are just the latest indicator we're running out of time. I support the City's Climate Action Plan, the Urban Forest Management Plan and tree inventory. These plans include action-oriented tools that will help us make changes and see the impact we are having. The plans will include items the City and each resident can do to help.
Youth Sports
More than 11,000 young people in our community don't have a place to play organized sports. Research shows when young people don't have an activity, they do things we'd rather they didn’t.
After a robust public process that spanned most of the 2010s, the Gig Harbor Sports Complex was approved by the Council in late 2018. The project is 25+ acres near the YMCA in Gig Harbor North. Plans include several multi-sport, lighted, synthetic turf fields, a play area, six pickle ball courts, a bocce ball court, a performance stage, concessions/restroom facilities, walking trails and parking. We also plan to preserve vegetation and replace trees wherever possible.
Cultural and Arts Access; the Senior Community
When talking with neighbors I regularly hear about the need for more spaces and opportunities for arts and culture. From shared art studios to performance space, ways to learn about the environment and our history, it would seem we need it all. Additionally, during the pandemic, our senior community lost its activity center. They need a new place to gather and seek support.
We all need indoor spaces where we can play and relax during the rainy season. I am in favor of building a community center that is primarily for seniors during the morning and early afternoon hours. Then my vision includes seniors working together with high school students, or any young person, to mentor each other and help each other learn new skills. The relationships are endless. The opportunities will greatly help this community.
Conservation
Preserving our trees and especially forested land is critical to affecting climate change. It's also important to our personal health and well-being to have a place we can go to unwind. And one of the reasons we love our town. I advocated for the purchase of nearly 50 acres of forested property near North Creek. This land, also important to salmon spawning, will be preserved forever. This effort represents just the most recent effort by the City to preserve forest lands. We have amazing parks in Gig Harbor that help us all connect to the waterfront. They are a big part of what makes Gig Harbor special. We need a balance of the parks by the water with those with more trees and the sports fields so we offer parks for all.
Small Town Charm
We live in a lovely waterfront community, enhanced by being near Puget Sound and Mt. Rainier. We all live here, at least in some part, because of that charm. As we consciously grow, there are rumblings that we're losing that charm. Change is going to happen. Consider that as our children, or friends, decide to live here they are part of that change.
As part of that small town charm, it’s important to remember that every person in our community deserves the same rights as every other person. This applies to all aspects of our society. We should not discriminate based on a person's national origin, race, color, religion, disability, or sexual orientation. We should be treating each other equally.
Creating a
Caring Community
I hear your concerns about homelessness, drug addiction and those experiencing mental health issues. I believe we have a generous, caring community. We can all work together to help those most in need. I'm really proud the City's strategic plan includes a focus on helping those in need. I advocated for hiring a housing, health and services manager for the city who will help us help others. Our housing, health and services manager is meeting with available resources and listening to everyone's needs. This will mean we can better connect those in need with those who can help. TOGETHER we will be a stronger community. TOGETHER we will help those in need. TOGETHER we will show the true heart of our community.
Attainable Housing
We face a housing shortage, especially housing that is affordable and attainable. Only 4 percent of those who work in our city live here, in large part because of the cost. I am committed to working with all of you to find solutions. It's a very complicated issue and requires everyone to participate. But, in the end, everyone deserves to have a roof over their head. Together, we can make that happen.
Traffic Congestion
We all know Highway 16 is the main highway through town, and often a bottleneck when there's a traffic accident. In addition, the design of several on/off ramps seem more conducive to accidents. Because it's a state highway, the City is limited in what changes can be made to the highway. However, for several years the City has been working with state and federal officials to secure needed funding for improvements.
There are also potential bottlenecks in the city regardless of what’s happening on the highway. These include Point Fosdick and Olympic and Borgen. Both these areas and more are being regularly studied by our traffic
Public Safety
I know you're concerned about crime and public safety in our community. I am too.That's why I joined my Council colleagues in funding four new police officer positions in Gig Harbor. Once these individuals are on board, we will have enough officers to do more neighborhood policing and traffic calming. I also share your concerns about retail crime. So do our police officers. Please know they are doing all they legally can but are limited by legislation passed recently in Olympia. We are all also working hard to advocate for further changes to those laws. As your City Council member, I am committed to keep Gig Harbor a safe place to live, work, and raise a family.
Permitting
We are constantly working to improve our offerings and expand upon our technological capabilities. Our expert team of professionals is passionate about developing the most advanced tech on the market. Ready to experience the future? Get in touch.
Walking Trails
Walking makes us healthier. Increased access to trails can also keep cars off the road because our neighborhoods are more connected. Several years ago, the City created a plan called Gig On The Go. I support this plan's tactics to improve the walking trails and sidewalks in the city, so we are all more connected. Eventually I hope to see sidewalks and trails connecting neighborhoods in Gig Harbor to the downtown waterfront.
Short Term Rentals
Short term rentals (STRs), or Air BNBS/VRBOs, are an important part of our community. They are used by people like traveling nurses, people seeking medical care, families attending celebrations, or people needing temporary housing. I advocated for approval of STRs while we gathered additional data to determine if they were a problem or not.
To date there are 22 approved STRS located throughout the city. 18 of those are owner-occupied meaning the whole house isn't rented or the owners live there for most of the year. One of our fishermen rents his home while he's off fishing during the summer. We also heard from many long-time residents whose financial situations have changed. Having an STR means they can stay in Gig Harbor and continue contributing to our neighborhoods and the city.