Phone
509-969-0368
Email
jdeccio@icloud.com
YouTube Video
none
Town where you live
Yakima
Experience (300 characters max)
City Council 2022- present; mayor, 2022-23; boards/commissions: Capitol Theatre; Yakima Regional Clean Air; Tourism; Arts Commission; Planning Commission; Gang Reduction Task Force; and New Leaders of Yakima County. Education: Masters, health administration, UW; and bachelor’s, Mass Media, CWU.
Because I have been on Yakima City Council since 2022, I will continue to interact as I have been. I have found many ways to effectively build relationships with my fellow Yakima citizens. E-mail and phone calls may be the most effective ways for me to communicate on a one-to-one basis with those who may have a specific issue. I have been able to help many people who have reached out to me, and if I can’t help them myself, I will refer them to someone who should be able to find a workable solution for them. I also connect by being on numerous boards and commissions and by attending events, where I meet community members who are actively involved in our community. Social media platforms have become another tool for engagement, enabling me to share updates and solicit feedback effectively. By staying accessible and transparent, I aim to foster trust and collaboration with the people I serve, ensuring their voices guide the policies shaping our city.
I believe we should be good stewards of our planet, no matter where we reside. Yakima should take a proactive stance in addressing environmental challenges. This involves fostering partnerships with local businesses, organizations, and residents to promote sustainable practices. Initiatives such as expanding green spaces, encouraging waste reduction, and investing in renewable energy projects can make a significant impact. I'm a big proponent of educating the community about environmental stewardship. Providing resources for eco-friendly living should be central to the way we do business. By prioritizing these efforts, Yakima can work toward a healthier, safer future.
I have been a Yakima City councilmember since 2022, serving as mayor for the first two years of my term. During my tenure, I have served on numerous boards and commissions for the city. Prior to 2022, I was involved in numerous community organizations, including stints as president of the Yakima Advertising Federation Board and the Miss Yakima Board. I was a board member of Wellness House, New Leaders of Yakima County, and Women's Century Club Juniors. I volunteered for Allied Arts on the planning committee for several years for the Fresh Hop Ale Festival, helped build the Rotary playground in the '90s and 2021 on the Greenway. I sang with the Yakima Valley Light Opera Company and have performed in local theater group productions. I sat on various committees, including those based on community healthcare and gang/graffiti enforcement
My vision for addressing homelessness goes beyond immediate solutions; it includes fostering a community culture of inclusivity and compassion. There are many reasons why someone is homeless. We need to identify the chief causes, whether they be mental illness, substance use disorders, loss of income, working poor, domestic violence, or aging out of foster care. Each of these issues requires different approaches. Collaboration is key. A task force with representatives from each agency can identify and begin to address ways to help. Finding ways to create adequate shelter while we work on the individual issues can begin to lift these people up. We need a better alignment of zoning, taxes, and subsidized housing. Expand housing subsidies to low-income households, reduce regulatory barriers that limit the market. Encourage the development of permanent supportive housing for those individuals who need more than just housing to thrive.
I want our city to be safe! I want it to be a place where people want to purchase a home and set down roots, where they can thrive. That's why my platform aims for affordable housing at every level of income, suppressing violent crime, and providing safe infrastructure. I want visitors to come here and enjoy themselves and tell others to come and visit so that our small businesses can grow with new customers. I want a more diverse business community and a more professional workforce that can sustain new and different industries to flourish. I want the City of Yakima to make it easier for these things to happen.
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