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Email
electdjluoma@gmail.com
Town where you live
Mountlake Terrace
My top priorities are protecting Mountlake Terrace’s long-term financial health, investing in infrastructure that supports our growing population, and keeping our city safe and livable. We need strong public services, updated utilities, and parks and amenities that serve families and residents of all ages. As a neighbor raising my daughter here, I want to ensure Mountlake Terrace remains a place people are proud to live.
I believe budgeting is about making hard choices and ensuring each dollar is used effectively. When priorities conflict, I will focus on stack ranking budget items by impact and urgency. This means identifying what provides the greatest benefit to residents, what’s time-sensitive, and what aligns with long-term goals. My experience managing tight budgets has taught me to lead with data, listen to stakeholders, and stay disciplined so we fund what matters most without overspending.
Mountlake Terrace is doing many things well, but there are opportunities to modernize how we communicate and engage with residents. I would like to see the city invest in an interactive budget dashboard, similar to what Snohomish County already offers, so residents can better understand how funds are allocated. I also support expanding the upcoming city smartphone app, which is currently focused on reporting traffic issues, into a general-purpose engagement tool. This could provide updates, collect feedback, and make it easier for people to connect with city services. These kinds of tools can help increase transparency, accessibility, and trust in local government.
Mountlake Terrace is growing, and we need to make thoughtful decisions to support long-term economic strength. That includes continuing to revitalize the Town Center with mixed-use development, supporting small businesses, and encouraging corner retail in new housing projects as outlined in the Comprehensive Plan. I also want to ensure our permitting processes are efficient and predictable so we attract high-quality investment. A vibrant economy means more jobs, more amenities for residents, and a stronger tax base to support city services without placing additional burden on homeowners.
Mountlake Terrace should continue leading with community-centered actions that foster belonging. Recognizing events like Juneteenth, Nowruz, and potentially Diwali or the Lunar New Year sends a strong message that this is a city for everyone. I also support making sure the city provides equal opportunities for a diverse set of vendors and musical acts at events like the MLT Festival. DEI should be about steady progress, and our actions should reflect the diverse voices in our community not just in policy but in practice.
Email
electwmpaigemltpos3@gmail.com
Town where you live
Mountlake Terrance
Experience (300 characters max)
Elected Experience: MLT City Council member; 32ndLD Democrat Endorsement Committee Chair; Delegate WA Democrat 2024 convention. Other experience: 35 yrs UPS Health, Safety, Compliance, Training. Mgr. Northeast District; Shoreline School District bus driver. MLT DEI Commissioner; The ACCESS Project
As a sitting councilmember my top priorities are aligned with our city government's top priorities, and these four priorities are what I've been working on first as a commissioner and now as a councilmember.
First, ensuring that we continue to grow a very vibrant diverse and inclusive community.
Second, I think it's paramount that we have a responsible government. A city government, working to make sure that the desired level of service is attained. We must balance infrastructure maintenance and expansion to support economic development and anticipated population growth.
Third, we must do more than what we have done to have an informed and engaged community. To accomplish this we must be cognizant of the diverse platforms our community uses to share and receive information.
Fourth, our environmental plan must be sustainable and adaptable to our growing population while encouraging reduction of carbon emissions.
I would put my focus on the funding of:
Safety services:
Safe neighborhoods, safe streets and safe parks.
Infrastructure stability:
Ensuring that our sewage, water, sidewalks, traffic lights etc. are continuously maintained.
Our city hall services must remain funded to maintain and develop our continuing growth- Issuing of permits, must be streamlined so that businesses and residents, old and new can better navigate through the process of adding to the community.
Availability of affordable daycare in city spaces must be funded.
Maintaining adequate green space in our parks and neighborhoods.
Continuation of our Community Conversations, Terrace Talks, and Open House meetings for community engagement.
I wouldn't necessarily call this a change that's needed, but rather a continuation of what is currently happening in the city. That would be looking for more ways to communicate with the community on platforms that are comfortable for them to engage with city hall. The community is diverse and growing, so we must be knowledgeable of how our community communicates with one another if we expect them to talk and listen to us. We have to continue to give our residents reasons to interact with city hall staff and city council members . We have to work harder to be more inclusive and accessible in our Community Conversations. We have to be more innovative in our Terrace Talks, and we have to reach out to channels and outlets that we've never used before to encourage residents to participate in City Hall Academy.
I am currently the Mountlake Terrace City Council member of Position 3. When I was sworn in, I pledged to support the efforts of the city to do just that, help grow a vibrant community. I'm going to support the Comprehensive Strategic plan of the council and I am going to support the city by doing my homework, talking to my peers in neighboring cities and towns, continue to educate myself on how to run city government, and most importantly I'm going to continue to put my boots on the ground so that I can engage with, listen to and hear what our community has to say about their city and be transparent about my decisions.
I think that in Mountlake Terrace, the city, the staff and the city council has demonstrated that diversity, equity and inclusion is a strength and not a liability. The city in 2020 established a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission and has been supporting that commission which has led to many of the changes and successes that the city has benefited from. In 2023, the city created a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee that works hand in hand with the commission as well as with city hall to ensure that the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion are not lost upon city staff. The city has recognized that diversity, equity, inclusion and access is what makes this city a strong, vibrant and growing community. I believe that because of this, in the last five years the city has created more opportunities for inclusive proclamations, events and platforms for reaching our diverse community which has resulted in more engagement than they have ever had before.
My top priorities are housing affordability, public safety, and sustainable growth. I will champion smart development near transit, protect green spaces, and ensure city services meet the needs of our growing population. I’m committed to transparent governance and fostering a connected, inclusive community.
I will prioritize funding based on community input, long-term sustainability, and equity. Essential services like safety, infrastructure, and parks come first. I’ll advocate for responsible budgeting that avoids short-term fixes and ensures we meet our reserve requirements while planning for future growth.
I support modernizing city operations to improve transparency, efficiency, and community engagement. This includes expanding digital access to services, streamlining permitting, and enhancing communication. I’d also like to see more proactive outreach to underrepresented voices in city decision-making.
I’ll support small businesses, invest in the Town Center, and promote transit-oriented development. By reducing red tape, improving infrastructure, and marketing Mountlake Terrace as a destination, we can attract investment while preserving our community’s character.
I will strengthen the DEI Commission’s role, support inclusive hiring practices, and ensure city programs reflect our community’s diversity. I’ll advocate for cultural events, language access, and policies that make all residents feel welcome, heard, and represented.
