Town where you live
Port Townsend
Experience (300 characters max)
I've been a Port Townsend resident for 22 years, and a journalist for 40 years. I've been the manager of a for-profit business and executive director of a non-profit association.
I believe everyone has legitimate point of view, and I will listen to them with respect, knowing they are sharing deeply held beliefs. Of course, all the avenues of communication will be open, from stopping to chat in grocery store aisles and at community events, to email, websites and social media. In my career as a journalist, I learned that winning someone’s trust was an essential part of communication, and that you win trust by upholding the highest standards of honesty and integrity. I also have come to understand that in every polarizing debate, there is almost always some truth in every perspective.
Clean water, clean air, and healthy food are the building blocks of any successful place, and we need to work together to make sure our environment is safe and healthy. Toward that end, we need to preserve green spaces and encourage walking paths, bicycle lanes and other measures to reduce our carbon footprint. We should use non-toxic measures in vegetation control and support efforts to eradicate noxious weeds. We should endeavor to be an example to other small towns that want to grow and prosper while maintaining a healthy environment.
I have a long history of public service, beginning with volunteer coaching for soccer and little league baseball when my son was a youngster. I spent many a damp and chilly day on the sidelines over several years encouraging youngsters to get in the game and ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, had a chance to play. Over the years I have served on many advisory and non-profit boards, from arts organizations to festival committees. I was a member of the Town of Coupeville’s civil service commission, was a member of the East Jefferson County Rotary Club for about 12 years, and I was a board member of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce for a decade and served as president in 2012. I was volunteer moderator of community election forums sponsored by the League of Women Voters for a decade, and I served on the board of the Washington Coalition for Open Government for about 10 years.
People become homeless for many different reasons. Unaffordable housing, domestic violence, child abuse, alcohol and drug dependency, mental health issues and other factors all contribute and every individual has a unique set of problems. To begin, we need emergency shelters where we can connect people to services that can place them in more permanent housing. The goal should ultimately be to secure an affordable, permanent home. Some will need subsidized housing for some time, but we should help those who are able connect to services and education so they can live independently.
We are a vibrant and creative community that endorses the arts, independent family-owned businesses and environmental protection. We are sometimes quirky and questioning and we encourage diversity in all of its forms. We strive to support the hopes and dreams of all the people, whether they are kids looking for activities to engage them, or teenagers looking for spaces to gather, or parents juggling multiple tasks, or people who have moved beyond parenting and employment to a life pursuing other passions. We acknowledge that sometimes we fall short of these ideals but are willing to redouble our efforts to attain them.
Phone
(360) 774-1799
Town where you live
Port Townsend
Experience (300 characters max)
My experience comes from real, hands-on public service not politics.
Attend local events, talk directly to community members around Port Townsend
We need to take action locally by preserving our forests and shoreline, investing in renewable energy, and making our buildings and infrastructure more energy efficient. We also need to make important decisions to account for the sea level rising and be prepared for the change. I support green building incentives, expanded tree planting, and better public transit to reduce our carbon footprint. Environmental policy should also include equity so that clean air, water, and access to nature are a right for everyone, not a privilege.
As a proud transportation worker and longtime member of the working class, I’ve dedicated my career to serving the public by helping people get where they need to go safely and reliably. Whether it’s showing up for early-morning ferry runs, working long shifts through storms, or keeping vital transportation systems moving, I know what it means to serve the community with consistency and pride. Over the years, I’ve stood shoulder to shoulder with other essential workers, advocated for safer working conditions, and supported efforts that benefit both employees and the public. My experience on the ground gives me a unique understanding of how public systems really function and what’s needed to make them work better for everyone.
The most effective way to address homelessness is by meeting people where they are with dignity, support, and real housing solutions. A proven approach called Housing First focuses on getting people into stable housing without requiring them to meet preconditions like sobriety or employment. Once housed, individuals are far more likely to access the services they need to get back on their feet. Housing alone isn’t enough we also need strong support systems in place, including mental health care, substance use treatment, job training, and case management. Low-barrier shelters, mobile outreach teams, and access to basic hygiene services like showers and laundry make a huge difference for people trying to stabilize their lives. By coordinating services, tracking needs, and focusing on long-term solutions over short-term fixes, we can reduce homelessness in our community and give every person a fair shot at rebuilding their life.
I want Port Townsend to remain a place where workers, families, local artists, and all the people who give this town its heart and character can actually afford to live . No one should be pushed out just because they can’t keep up with rising costs. The people who make this community vibrant - those who teach our kids, serve our food, build our homes, and create our culture - deserve to live without the constant stress of whether they can pay the next utility bill or rent check.
Phone
2532049030
Email
dylanquarles@gmail.com
Town where you live
Port Townsend
Experience (300 characters max)
Blue collar roots, college educated. 10+ years in property management, coordinating facilities for one of WA's largest mental health nonprofits. Former reading specialist in rural schools. Union organizer who fought for fair wages. Real experience serving working families and communities.
I believe in meeting people where they are—especially our working families who are juggling child care, employment, and housing security all at once. That means being available at community events, responding to emails in a manner that reflects the effort taken on the part of the sender, and making sure city meetings work for working parents—like me—not just those who have the time and resources to attend. I’ll continue the door-to-door, person-to-person conversations I’m having now, and in every instance, I’ll ask: ‘How does this help, or hurt our families, workers, small businesses owners?’ Every policy should center on how it affects the people who live and work here year-round.
Port Townsend should lead by example on climate resilience while ensuring solutions work for everyone. That means preparing for sea level rise and increased storm activity, supporting local sustainability efforts, and making our infrastructure improvements environmentally smart. Environmental stewardship and economic opportunity should go hand in hand—like promoting walkable neighborhoods that reduce car dependence while making daily life easier for families.
I was raised to value public service. My mom was the director of the health department here in Jefferson County, and my wife of 17 years is a public school teacher. I’ve spent most of my professional life in the nonprofit sector—managing hundreds of properties for one of Washington’s largest mental health nonprofits, then working in public education and reading intervention. I’ve taught overseas and served as treasurer and vice president for the Quilcene School District’s classified staff union where our bargaining efforts secured fair wages for our members. And, I’ve contributed through my writing—shining a light on our community’s rich and mysterious history while support local business that depend on tourism dollars. While I’m new to elected office, I understand advocacy and serving something bigger than myself.
Based on a decade of experience working for one of Washington’s largest mental health nonprofits, with a focus on transitional housing, I believe the city’s role is to support the organizations already doing this work effectively rather than duplicating services. We should remove barriers for nonprofits, ensure our zoning allows housing solutions, and coordinate with county and state partners who have the expertise and resources.
I envision a Port Townsend where the people who make our community special can afford to stay and raise their families. That means supporting our year-round residents—the teachers, firefighters, shop owners, and service workers who keep this place running. We can preserve our Victorian charm and natural beauty while ensuring they serve everyone. My vision is practical: good roads, affordable utilities, thriving local businesses, and housing that working families can actually afford. Port Townsend should be a place where hard work pays off and where your kids can choose to build their lives.
