BIO
ST.
LOUIS TO NEW HAMPSHIRE TO HONG KONG
TO BOSTON TO SEATTLE
I
am a native of the Midwest, growing up outside St. Louis
in the 50's and 60's. I went to Dartmouth College in New
Hampshire where I met Claire, my wife and life partner
of 38 years. After working overseas as a college teacher
for several years, we moved to Boston where I earned a
Master's Degree in Education and continued to teach.
We
moved to Seattle in 1983 with our daughters Margaret and
Maryclaire. We bought a beautiful 1927 bungalow in Shoreline
in 1986 and have been happy here for 21 years. While it
was Shoreline's great schools that drew us to 'pre-Shoreline,'
it's the quality of our neighborhoods - and neighbors
- that keeps us here.
COMMITMENT
TO MY COMMUNITY
SCHOOL
ACTIVITY
Our girls attended Shoreline Schools where I was active
in the PTA, Art Docent program and other aspects of their
educations. I served on the Shorewood Site Council and
was a member of the School Board from 1996 to 2001. As
vice president and president, I was proud to be able to
present both daughters with their diplomas at their Shorewood
graduations.
CITY
COUNCIL & ENVIRONMENT
When City Council member Linda Montgomery moved out of
Shoreline, I was chosen unanimously by the City Council
to fill her open seat. I served for two years (2004-2005),
proudly voting for the North City project and for the
first phase of the Aurora Corridor project.
I am also a board member and chair of the finance committee
of the Kruckeberg Botanic Garden, soon to become part
of Shoreline's great parks system. I am committed to preserving
and enhancing our great parks and recreation program and
our precious environment.
PROFESSIONAL
CAREER
I worked in labor relations from the late 1970's to the
early 1990's, as a union representative negotiating contracts
in the printing and publishing industries, then as an
arbitrator and mediator, and finally as the Port of Seattle's
labor relations manager.
I
have worked for the Port for 14 years. After five years
in labor relations, I took on the challenge of running
some of Sea-Tac Airport's major operating systems and
recently became a Senior Operations Manager responsible
for all of the airport's landside businesses and operations
(public and employee parking, rental cars, ground transportation
services, roadways) The experience of managing large and
diverse crews and hundreds of millions of dollars of public
assets is invaluable to my role on the Council and to
the scrutiny I give to Shoreline's budget and capital
expenditures. To round out my education, I went back to
school and earned a Management Certificate at UW's Business
School.
DISPUTE
RESOLUTION EXPERTISE
Another major civic activity of mine has been conflict
resolution. I have served as a mediator for Dispute Resolution
Centers throughout Western Washington since 1993, mediating
landlord-tenant, commercial, workplace, family and neighborhood
disputes. I also volunteer as an arbitrator for the Better
Business Bureau and serve as a labor arbitrator for the
American Arbitration Association.
PERSONAL
INTERESTS
My wife Claire and I are avid sea kayakers, having enjoyed
kayaking in many parts of the United States and Canada.
We love to garden and supply our house with vegetables
for much of the year and flowers throughout the summer.
We have worked to make our property a sanctuary for birds,
butterflies and lots of other creatures love it as well.
And I am the family chef, my favorite cuisine being Italian.
For years I have donated gourmet meals to school, Chamber,
Arts Council and other community auctions.
I
am dedicated to serving our City as a Councilmember and
would appreciate not only your vote but also your active
support of my campaign. Contact us at graceforcouncil@comcast.net
for ways that you and your family can help.
Regards,
Paul Grace
Candidate, City Council Position #2
