VOTE411 Voter Guide

Honestly and politely. I already started asking businesses and people in person "What is your opinion of city council, and what do you want to see improved?" I will continue to do so if elected. The job of a council member is to represent, so it should be their responsibility to pursue public engagement, rather than saying "it's available online".

I will advocate a "City of Port Angeles app", where citizens can log in with their voter information. It should have a calendar of upcoming city events, review minutes of meetings, have polls regarding important topics, and approval ratings for how the council voted within a given meeting. The goals of the app should be to make it easier for voters to follow local governance, and for the city to understand public approval of their actions in real-time. Over time the app should include other departments, but knowing who we voted for is a start.

"Push notifications" would increase involvement! Why else would multimillion dollar apps use them?

I believe in pursuing the maximum benefit to a given ecosystem over time. The areas where I know the city has jurisdiction that are still somewhat natural are the waterfront, the creeks and rivers that come down from the mountains, and where the city borders the national park. Mitigating human waste and non-compostable materials in those areas is a good start, and cleanup groups like 4PA help a lot in that regard.

Creating enjoyable nature trails along those rivers and creeks would capitalize on their natural beauty, which should improve their conditions due to increased public surveillance, and should be seen as additional locations for tourists to visit.

Due to the recent meeting, I think finding a way for the Rayonier cleanup efforts to be performed by local groups rather than who the Department of Ecology intends would be better for us economically, and could make the land available much sooner. This would require a local group to buy those lands prior to cleanup however.

In my youth, I was very active with the Order of DeMolay. A young men's group dedicated to the betterment of individuals to serve their community. We helped with multiple events throughout town such as the Tree Lighting Ceremony, 4th of July fireworks site security, a coffee stand at the Home Show, and having the Haunted House at the fairgrounds as a fundraiser.

Since graduating High School, I dedicated my time to work and enjoying what free time I might have. I have not been publicly involved.

I'm two years into my 30s now, and declaring candidacy is my attempt at public service. I'm here to listen and to represent. There's a lot to take in, but I'm here for it, and I'm here for you Port Angeles.

The Homelessness Task Force is created by previous County Commissioners in order to understand local homelessness, in an attempt to prevent it. It is required by state law. (RCW 43.185C.050)

My friend who lives at Serenity House speaks well of it. Somewhere to stay, a mailing address, and 3 meals a day. 4PA's cleanup and housing campus are a huge boon to the community. Peninsula Behavioral Health has clients that were homeless who are now housed. We have a lot of tools to help those who want it.

My opinion is helping unhoused individuals should be the responsibility of non-profit organizations more than the city's. I don't believe in altering our laws to make their lives more difficult if they are compliant individuals. What I take issue with is open drug use and the abandonment of paraphernalia in public spaces, namely parks that families would use.

I must be honest and say that out of other council members, I would listen to Amy Miller's expertise on the subject.

I want to help the city serve the people better and improve it's efficiency and efficacy. I'm running because I think it can be handled better, and that honestly it's absurd that I thought I'm the one to help, but I want to. We have many intelligent people in our community, I know that. When interviewing some people I think to myself, "gee, why aren't you the one running for council?"

The city should have clearly defined and understood industries that people can go into right after graduating high school. I think we would be more likely to successfully make that happen by working with the college. If the city talks about "wanting" to help with the housing problem, why isn't there already a program with the carpentry portion of the college that boasts success in making homes? The city doesn't have to control a program in order to have people work together, because micromanaging costs more and takes longer, but we can alter policies in order to make our dreams more viable.

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I have a substack column at: maroleesmith.substack.com I read, and reply. I will be responsive because collaboration is important.

I would like to create some citizen advisory groups because the best "experts" are the people who live/work in Port Angeles. (We, too often, put off everything on hired "experts" when WE are the real experts.)

I would push hard for regular (quarterly) "town hall" meetings with local government for a back-and-forth exchange of ideas. I would urge the city to redesign how the budget is presented to the people, so that it is clearer.

I'd like to give citizens a reward for showing up to council and city meetings, something like a small stipend, a voucher for utilities ($5 or $10). Not enough to be financially significant, but enough to encourage engagement with the city. Lets face it, the meetings are long, and for some, mysterious. I'd like to get our town to understand what decisions impact them, and get involved. Rewards work best, always.

This is too vague a question to be answered.

What kind of environmental? Disaster planning? Pollution? Population? Fossil Fuels?

Certainly zoning laws can protect natural areas, and encourage sustainable development. I can support recycling programs, community gardens and clean-up events. I'd like to see a better e-waste recycling program initiated. And, I'd like for the yearly "clean sweep" low-cost garbage dump day to be re-initiated.

We absolutely need better disaster planning, because we are in a remote, one-road-in/one-road-out area. Planning is necessary, to ensure the minimum loss of life for a major fire, tsunami, earthquake, or other natural disaster.

Environmental issues are complex problems that affect the natural world. The over-focus on one issue is a real issue, when life is so precarious.

As a teen, and young adult I was a citizen lobbyist focused on passing consumer protection AND transparent government legislation. My understanding of local, and state, government is profound -- after fifty+ years of participation.

I have long been involved in local government, as the most important part: a citizen.

I ran for city council a decade ago. I was very much part of the Fluoride issue, especially after the council went against a vote of the people (straw poll). I believe in ethics in government and OPMA (open public meetings act aka Brown Act) which is to uphold transparency in government. I believe, strongly, that the city council has a fiduciary responsibility to speak for/look out for their constituents, not promote their personal beliefs.

I successfully used the ethics rules that we had (which were excellent) against a city council member who violated the OPMA.

I served on the Port Angeles Planning Commission for 5 years.

I spent time "homeless" in my mid-20's. Lived in a 1968 VW bug with my young son. Homeless is not one big cohesive, cast-off glob of druggies and disenfranchised losers.

There are many shades to homelessness. Some people can be greatly helped by minor interventions (an address, aid in replacing papers such as a DL, etc.) while others are profoundly mentally ill, in a society that has one option: jail.

There are some who are mentally disadvantaged, unable to fully function within society without a great deal of management.

We can help many.

We must fix the concept of "free" without exchange. This destroys self-respect, and pride. Free hand-outs isn't how society works. If there is a needle exchange "bring in four used ones". If it's a meal, help the clean up, or an exchange (gather trash in a community, weeding, etc.) People need to be PART of the help, not patronized.

I'd like to see safe RV parking with trash/water/sewer services. Lets restore dignity to people.

We must become a real community. Not just a group of opposing opinions, splinter groups, and finger-pointers.

I'm sick to death of the "rah-rah-rah" my team, not yours. And the inability to have meaningful discourse: respectful, emotionally intelligent, and encouraging diverse perspectives. I would like to use a collaborative approach.

I'd like to create a sense of belonging, and acceptance. Not dismiss anyone because of age, background, economic status, political affiliations, educational achievements, religious beliefs, or anything else which most people are using to create distance.

I am sick to death of politics. It is serving NO ONE.

Our town needs to be OUR TOWN. We must support micro, small, and medium businesses. The city cannot keep throwing money at expensive, out-of-area consultants. They should support local people (who will do a better job).

Our City Council has not done a very good job at being fiscally conservative, and managing the City Staff.

I will.