WHY MARY

Why I Love & Serve Gig Harbor

I joined the City Council in January 2022 and we focused on making the community a wonderful place to work, live and play. We streamlined some processes that improve Gig Harbor while retaining the character we all love. Our two-year budget allows us to plan and grow while monitoring spending. It's all about achieving a good balance as we move forward. Since becoming mayor in late 2024, I’ve focused on meeting you and learning about your hopes and dreams. At the same time, I’m working closely with our amazing staff to support them and find ways they can do even better work and become an even stronger part of our community. It’s critical we keep our staff confident and happy, so they’ll want to continue working here. We want them to know we appreciate them and give them reasons to stay with the organization. My work has been, and will continue to be, all about making Gig Harbor a wonderful place to live, work, play and raise a family.

WHAT WE'VE DONE/ARE DOING

Road improvements like those in the works on Burnham and Wollochet that help our traﬃc move smoothly and provide more space for bicyclists and pedestrians.
This summer we plan to begin work on the long-awaited Fishermen’s Homeport so our fleet can come back home again.
We will open the first phase of the Sports Complex this spring, continue to raise funds and work on the other phases, and develop a master plan for Crescent Creek Park.
We’re in the process of bringing on the last of our four new police oﬃcers so the police can provide better service in our community.
Together with partners, we purchased more than 50 acres near downtown that’s critical habitat for salmon and other wildlife and historically significant for the Native people as part of our commitment to preserving salmon and natural spaces.
Our two-year budgeting process allows staff to plan for multi-year projects more efficiently. We continue to monitor the City’s financial picture and are always looking for efficiencies and ways to maximize your tax dollars.

WHAT I WANT TO DO

I support revitalizing the downtown core so more businesses will be encouraged to open and stay there. I am advocating for a sub area plan for the south end of downtown that will create an actionable plan for what property owners and nearby residents want to see in this area.
We are working on a parking study and, once it’s complete, will investigate possible code revisions. This revitalization must occur while maintaining the small, maritime feel we all love.
I want the Village at Harbor Hill to be built in Gig Harbor North bringing much needed shopping and restaurants to that area. We hope to break ground within the next 12 months.
There's a housing shortage in this country. Here this means fewer than 5 percent of our staff can live in city limits and the same is true for teachers, nurses, firemen and police. We want those folks to be able to live here so the comprehensive plan we approve this spring includes a framework for how we can build more affordable housing. This spring and summer we will be developing the details around how to do that by working with property owners in areas designated in the plan.
I want to tell our history better, possibly with a heritage center providing interactive ways that tell the story of our Native peoples, the fishing and logging families.
We need to continue improving roads and sidewalks, including bike paths that better connect our neighborhoods. I also support more neighborhood patrols.
I support eﬀorts to create a network of caring in our community that provides for everyone, including programs that increase understanding, civility and acceptance.
I want Gig Harbor to have a community center where a variety of groups can gather, including youth and seniors. Several groups are working toward this goal and, hopefully, will partner to create a place for all to enjoy.