Honesty, Integrity and Approachability

I will speak frankly and honestly with people and if I do not have the answer, I will look to find it or help you reach someone that can. I have an 'open-door' 

Problem Solving

When faced with an issue or problem that has no direct way to correct it, this is when I step outside the box to find ways to come to a workable and realistic resolution. Not all problems are easily solved, and most take more than one person to help find the fix. If anyone comes to me with a problem, I ask that they also come with a potential solution, which may be a jumping off point to a great outcome!

Community

Chelan County, like the United States of America, is comprised of several communities. Each community has it's own uniqueness and vibe. Some are quiet and relaxed, while some are energized and active. a communities qualities are derived from it's residents, the people of that community. It is the people that are the workers and drivers of any community. They set the tone for each community and the needs to thrive. Some are agriculture based while others are tourism based. Some, are just a place for people to call home, but travel to work in other communities. No matter what, each community is like a family. These are the people that should be able to decide what is best for their community. I want to hear ideas, see their vision, and help them attain what they wan to create. Although it may not always be feasible now, does not mean it isn't something that can't happen in the future.

Service

I based much of my life on service to my community and others. Working as a Volunteer Firefighter, I have been to every community in Chelan County to help them in a time of need.  Not only as a firefighter, but also as an EMT and a Chelan County Sheriff's Marine Reserve. I have been able to see the best of communities, and unfortunately the worst that some communities have had to deal with. When a community is threatened with wildfire or ther major disaster, I am amazed every time at the drive, grit and determination these communities, and other communities in the County, show to take the threat head on, in a unified manner. This is how I work. I believe it takes at least one person to see a problem or benefit not yet visualized, and if taken to others can soon become a plan, then a call to action, and then the community working to make it happen, with the final result being an achievement that the whole community can take pride in. I like to help make this happen, when needed. 

Protection

Chelan County is considered one of the Counties with the highest risk for wildfire in the nation. Chelan COunty has been working on a plan to help mitigate and minimize how wildfire may affect communities. With so much of our county being wildland and forest, we have a responsibility to make sure we can first, prevent devastating fires. Second, be able to act quickly to an event in a quick, efficient and safe manner. Third, being ready to look at the damage and create a plan to help mitigate that damage. This takes a commitment of our Commissioners, Fire Services, Law Enforcement, EMS agencies and all other local, State and Federal partners, working together in a unified way to best serve the communities at risk. This also includes our 911 Dispatch Center, to be ready and resilient during times of crisis. Not only do those call takers and dispatchers need to be properly trained, but properly staffed. It also requires a Dispatch Center that is itself safe, protected and able to maintain communications not only to the boots on the ground, but to the people and other agencies. My decades of experience as a First Responder has given me the understanding and knowledge that is needed to see that the people are getting the best response possible in times of emergency. 

Natural Resources

Chelan County has a vast variation of topography, climates, watersheds, steppe scrub, and timberlands. There are threats to these areas all of the time. Fire may be considered by many as one of the biggest, whch it can be. But there are also invasive species and insects that casue damage to the ecosystems, as well as animals and plants that do not belong. Pine Beetle is damaging our forests and killing old growth trees. Other insects are also making their way into our forests and neighborhoods. It is not only our forests and neighborhoods that are potentially threatened but our waterways. Invasive species are always being looked for in our waterways, because they can dramatically change or even destroy an ecosystem. One of the biggest factors that actually affect our forest and waters is people. Illegal dumping of garbage in forested areas, ravines and open scrub is on the increase. We need to take a hard look at all options to combat this. On our waterways, people bring watercraft and boats to play on our lake and rivers after leaving other areas with invasive species. The county needs to be able to make sure that any visiting watercraft and even personal flotation devices such as paddleboard and kayaks are clean, both going in and coming out of our waters. Not only that but monitoring pollution on our local bodies of waters like Lake Wenatchee and Lake Chelan is important, especially with a huge increase of boating on these waterways. I would like to look at programs that are already in place and may need to be implemented to protect all of our Counties natural resources.