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Issues
The
Right Woman, The Right Time
City Council Position Statements
July 2007
I
will work to achieve greater balance between business and residential
taxes and return the city to financial stability.
City
Finances
During the city's first 10 years, the council did a great job of
spending within the city's means, establishing a rainy day reserve
and steering surplus operating budget funding into capital projects.
Over the last couple of years the city council has been dipping
into the reserves and spending more than it takes in. We cannot
continue that pattern. I will get spending back under control.
Aurora
Corridor
Complete the final two miles with the same design as the first section.
Similar to the completed section, provide flexibility to minimize
impact on existing businesses and leverage local dollars to maximize
investment from the state, federal and granting agencies (for every
dollar spent on the completed section, the city contributed 11 cents;
the remaining 89 cents came from other agencies that supported the
project). The incumbent's voting record demonstrates her opposition
to the Aurora Corridor and Interurban Trail Projects from the very
beginning.
Taxes
Maggie Fimia voted to give tax breaks to a few special interest
businesses while voting to increase our taxes (utility taxes). I
disagree with this. I am committed to having a fair balance between
business and residential taxes. I will also work hard to make sure
that our tax dollars are spent wisely.
I
will work to strengthen our neighborhoods and protect our children.
Services
In 2005, the county passed a Veterans and Human Services levy that
will collect $13.3 million/year for six years. City staff has estimated
that this levy takes $1 million/year from Shoreline. To date, Shoreline
community service providers have received nothing from this levy.
I will work with the county to return our tax dollars back to the
community, directly to organizations such as the Senior Center,
YMCA, Center for Human Services, Teen Hope, Hopelink and others,
rather than taking more and more money from the city's limited general
fund budget.
15th
NE
The three-lane configuration, bike lanes, sidewalks and crosswalks
have significantly increased the safety of this critical corridor.
I will work to understand, evaluate and propose solutions for any
side effects this is having on neighboring streets.
Aurora
Zoning - Westminster Area
I do not support the form-based code being discussed for this area,
as it will allow 150' high buildings. The current code allows 60'
tall buildings. To date, no property has gone that high. Let's see
how what we currently have works before changing to something even
more aggressive.
Megahomes
I share the concerns of our community about development built out
of character with the immediate neighborhood. Seattle and Bellevue
are now studying this and I will be very interested in learning
from them to address this for Shoreline. It may be time to put a
Design Review process in place for permits that require administrative
or legislative exceptions to the code.
Communication
The city's government access television, website and Currents are
all wonderful ways to communicate current and future issues and
events to the community. I support full funding of these so that
community members can access what's important to them through a
variety of media.
Decision
Making
The city council is faced with complex issues and important decisions
everyday. These decisions determine the future for our next generations.
I believe we need to make Shoreline an affordable city to live,
raise families and retire in. Our city needs to be sustainable for
the long term. I have a high degree of integrity and promise to
be thorough in reviewing all aspects of an issue. I will work independently
yet collaboratively on the council to keep Shoreline's reputation
as a "Best Place to Live".
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Steering
Committee