Chris Willoughby
for
Chelan County Commissioner
District 3
A Vision for a
Thriving
Chelan County
Dedicated to shaping a bright future for Chelan County.
As a candidate for Chelan County Commissioner District 3, I am committed to supporting the diverse industries and opportunities that drive our county forward, while promoting tourism and protecting our farms and natural resources that gives our County such alure.
Let's work together for a prosperous and vibrant future for Chelan County and it's communities.
COMMUNITY FIRST
What does 'Community First' mean?
'Community First' means that the community voice is what matters. Chris Willoughby is a listener and has heard the people of the communities he has served, and acted on their best wishes, even if it was not his. A true servant of the people will truly listen, discuss, and represent the wishes of the community to the best of their abilities. Chris is that person, proven many times over the decades of his service in any position he has held. We need to have a voice for the community, but that voice needs to resonate with the voices of the communities represented.
Who Is Chris Willoughby?
A grassroots 4th generation Farmer, lifelong Public Servant, Elected Official & dedicated Family Man who believes community and people matter!
I am a lifelong resident of the Lake Chelan Valley, minus a few years away for educational endeavors and work. Manson has been my home for most of my 52 years. Raised on orchards, agriculture became part of who I am, a 4th generation farmer.
While young, I was interested in being a helpful part of the community. Boy Scouts allowed me to taste what volunteering for something was. When I turned 16, my sights zeroed on volunteer firefighting in my Manson community. over 30 years later, I still volunteer as a firefighter/EMT. During that time, I also was an EMT with Lake Chelan Valley EMS and also served on the Chelan County Sheriff's Marine Patrol program.
20 years ago, I married my wife, Diana, who is a teacher at Manson school District. We have a son and daughter who are very active in our schools and community. Our son earned his Eagle Scout recently and has joined a local community band. Our daughter is highly athletic, and an active member of the Wenatchee Youth Circus.
Currently, I manage a family Orchard operation. I am also an active member of Chelan County Fire District 5, where I was elected as a Fire Commissioner this last year.
Previously, I owned a small business, partnered with my mother. Managing a small business helped to give me a perspective of working with government systems of not only business, but regulations, reporting and accountability.
As a public voted Manson Community Council member, I have gained much knowledge in the innerworkings of local government. From Codes and Regulations, to the processes of Code changes and Code formation and adoptions, I have learned much about our local County government. During my first stint on the Manson Community Council, I took part of a Growth Management Review process that encompassed the Manson area. This is also where the first 'STR' codes Chelan County were formed and used as a beta test for future 'STR' code for the County.
Code Task Force was another experience that I had that gave me even further insight as to how many of our County Codes are either vague, in conflict with other codes, or needed codes may not exist. This is something that, if elected, I want to work through and correct where needed.
When it comes time to vote, I hope you take the chance to meet me and see who I am in person. I am approachable and easy going. My reasons for running are simple, be the best representative for the people and communities of Chelan County. I think things through, and make sure I try to see all perspectives and gather the information to make the best decisions possible that advance our county and communities forward, in a responsible and accepting manner.
If you have a question or want to set up a time to meet, please feel free to contact me!
Why Vote For Me?
It is not about me,
it is about all of us!
I do not see myself as a politician, just someone who sees a need to provide better representation.
I have no personal or special interest when I am making decisions that affect others, and this is especially true for communities. I am running to help the people and our communities have a voice. I do not give people special treatment, I believe that everyone is equal to another, no matter their standing.
Community is important to me, and how a community progresses should be determined by the people that live there. Chelan County is my home. I have lived in Chelan & Wenatchee for some period of time, but most of my life in my hometown of Manson. I have been a part of those communities and still see them as my home and my neighbors.
I prefer to listen than talk. I believe the best communication happens when you are listening. In the fire service, sharing good, clear dialog is almost as important as listening to others. As my great Grandmother said, "if you talk too much, you are not hearing the important stuff."
Finally, I ask that you vote for the candidate you think will best represent you and act on your behalf the best. If this is not 'Chris Willoughby,' that is fine with me. The most important thing is being an informed voter. Make your vote count for what is best for you!
Building A Better
Chelan County Together
Chris is running for Chelan County Commissioner District 3 to bring effective representation to the citizens and communities we all love.
Farming has been a cornerstone of Chelan County, known as the 'Apple Capital of the World' and home to 'Lake Chelan Apples, the Best in the World'. Our agricultural richness extends beyond apples to cherries, pears, grapes, and more!
Chelan County has several diverse and unique communities, like Lake Wenatchee nestled amongst the tall peaks of the North Cascades, Leavenworth with its Bavarian style, the isolated tranquility of Stehekin, Entiat being a gateway to recreation, and Lake Chelan boasting the deep blue glacial waters people love to play in. With all of the good, fun things, each community has their own struggles.
Housing, infrastructure, property taxes, and more are on the minds of people in these communities. Housing is a challenge for many, being able to afford rent and mortgages as these costs increased due to climbing valuations. Some wonder if they can even stay in some of these communities they love anymore.
Infrastructure is a current issue that is quickly becoming inadequate, but is slow to bring up to current demands, much less creating a solid 50-year plan to evaluate, maintain and increase based on usage data. Without this data, it is hard to fund such important projects.
There are so many challenges that need the time to be heard. I want to hear them. I want to understand them. I want to hear potential solutions. I want to help make these challenges something that can become wins for our communities.
Devoted to Chelan County:
My Promise
To listen and hear all of the voices of Chelan County. This County belongs to those who live and work here. It takes all of us to make great things happen. Where some see a problem, I see a challenge. My strength is problem solving with out of the box solutions many times. Although not every problem has a solution now, it may eventually be able to be solved. It just takes dedication, resolve, and the ability to utilize your resources at hand to find a workable resolution.
Agricultural Richness
Chelan County, the 'Apple Capital of the World', boasts a diverse range of agricultural products from apples to cherries, pears, grapes, and more! Although the current trend of agriculture is difficult for most, opportunities should be made available for farms who may need some kind of diversification to thrive. As costs to farm increase, returns seem to be mostly flat or even negative for some. Agrotourism is one mechanism that could allow farms to capitalize during downturns. Although this is one way to help farms keep farming, other ideas are out there, just waiting to be realized. I want to hear those ideas and see where they may go!
Tourism Thrives
Tourism is a huge economic boost for all of Chelan County businesses, especially small businesses. If it weren't for tourism, our communities would not flourish as they have. Chelan County is a destination for millions of people a year. Diverse communities with their uniqueness create a draw for people young and old! Whether it be a Bavarian styled village, a picturesque lake surrounded by steep, tall mountains, or camping and hiking to some of the most magical destinations around, this is what Chelan County is all about. Supporting and helping this tourism thrive is a job of not only the communities, but the County itself. I see tourism as a necessary part of Chelan Counties future that needs to be managed and protected. As a Chelan County Commissioner, I would see to it that we keep what works working, but also see where we may be able to improve.
Community Representation
I am dedicated to being a voice for the citizens of Chelan County and ensuring that peoples interests and ideas are heard, considered, and potentially utilized to help make Chelan County a better place for all. To make this happen, people need a way to be heard. I want to give people the time and place to be able to voice their thoughts regularly. My plan is to have regular meetings with communities, whether it be using a community forum, round table, or even talking with community groups. Interaction is important, and many times these opportunities are lost. I hope to capture them!
Support the Campaign!!!
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Committee to Elect Chris Willoughby Chelan County Commissioner D3
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Manson, WA 98831
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Envisioning the Future of Chelan County Together!
If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please let me know! I want to hear you. Please take time to send me a message! Thanks!
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