Voters need to VOTE NO on February 3, 2009!
But, if the Charter Proposition 1 passes, voters need a choice. NoCharter endorses the following candidates that are currently shown on the ballot:
BALLOTED CANDIDATES
Charter Commissioner, Position No. 1
Education: Bachelor’s Degree - Urban and Regional Planning, Master’s Degree – Public Administration,
Eastern
Washington
University
Occupation: City Planner
Professional Qualifications: Member: American Planning Association, Pierce County Growth Management Committee, American Society of Public Administrators
Personal Information: Married to an electrician with three school-aged children. Resident of Bonney Lake.
Community Involvement: Volunteer: Girlscouts, Lions 4 Kids clothing bank.
Personal Views: The current Mayor of Bonney Lake and the majority of City Council have a unified vision for our city and are actively working towards it. The proponents of the Charter have not articulated Why they want it. Undoubtedly, no organization is perfect, but if the proponents can’t even say what the problem is, how can they be sure dismantling the current government will fix it?
It is likely that personal agendas will overshadow the process and not serve the needs of the average citizen. The Charter has the potential to cost precious tax payer money and be disruptive to city services for years to come. I will vote no against the Charter, but if the citizens vote for it, I will give the process the unique perspective of someone who is both an employee and taxpayer of Bonney Lake.
Charter Commissioner, Position No. 2
Education: MA National Security & Strategic Studies, Naval War College; MS Human Resources Management, Gonzaga University; BA Political Science – University of Puget Sound
Occupation: Substitute Teacher. ***Retired Colonel (06), USAF, 34 years Active Duty.
Professional Qualifications: USAF –Demonstrated ability of managing multiple projects, efficient resource allocation, and detailed implementation of policy.
Personal Information: Married 40 years to Mary; 2 children, 3 grandchildren.
Community Involvement: Bonney Lake Planning Commissioner 2007-Present, Citizens
Advisory Council 2006-2007, HOA President & Vice President 2005-2008.
Personal Views: I firmly believe that government should focus on practical solutions to meet our City’s needs, while saving for the future.
As a Teacher, I see the need to make our City a safer and better place for our youth. We must maintain a balance of parks, community facilities, and more bus stops for our daily commuters. I’ve got experience working with our Planning & Community Department and other agencies dealing with Urban Growth and Zoning changes.
I pledge my common sense, fairness, and creative problem-solving skills to work with you to improve our community safety and long term vision to better manage future growth.
I humbly ask for your Vote!
Charter Commissioner, Position No. 9
Education: M.B.A., PLU (2006); B.A., Fire Prevention Technology / Fire Department Administration, Western Illinois University (2001); A.A.S., Fire Science, Community College of the Air Force (1999)
Occupation: Police officer, local municipality; Firefighter, United States Air Force Reserve, McChord Air Force Base.
Professional Qualifications: Fire Commissioner, East Pierce Fire & Rescue (since 2007);
Commissioner, City of Bonney Lake Design Commission (since 2008);
City of Federal WayRetirement Board Committee, (2006–2008);
City of Federal WaySafety Committee, (2006–2008).
Personal Information: My wife Suzanne and I have been married for 7 years and our daughter, Adriana, attends Bonney Lake High School.
Community Involvement: Pacific Lutheran University - PLUS Business Alumni Association (since 2006); Greater Pierce County Community Network (since 2006); Pierce County Meth Action Team (since 2006); Veteran of Foreign Wars, Lifetime member, (since 2007); Washington Public Fire Educators (member 1997-1999); Safe Kids Coalition (member 1997–1999); Air Force Sergeants Association (member since 1997).
Personal Views: I truly believe in public service and enjoy serving my community at many different levels. The creation of a charter for our City will be an exciting experience and one I would be honored to participate in. I also believe it is necessary to have open-minded and impartial Commissioners for this important process.
For write in candidates NoCharter endorses the following:
WRITE IN CANDIDATES
Please consider the following candidates:
Position #1 - balloted candidate Heather Stinson
Position #2 - balloted candidate Donn Lewis
Position #3 -
Position #4 -
Position #5 -
Position #6 -
Position #7 - Melissa Johnson
Position #8 - Cheryle Noble
Position #9 - balloted candidate Raymond Bunk
Position #10 - Steve Riggs
Position #11 - Richard "Chas" Rawlings
Position #12 - David "Dave" A. Schulte
Position #13 - Fred Jacobsen
Position #14 - Grant Sulham
Please consider Melissa Johnson as write-in candidate for Position No. 7.
Resident of Bonney Lake since 1997
Community Involvement: Member of the Citizens Advisory Council 2008-current, Past PTO President Emerald Hills Elementary 2006-2008, Director of Field Scheduling Sumner Soccer Club
Personal Views: Changing the city government to a Charter code is an expensive and complicated way to try to initiate a secret agenda. There has been no declaration of what the change of government is going to fix, eliminate, or repair.
The current form of government is not broken, and does not need to be fixed. I am against changing the current form of government, but if Proposition One does pass, I would provide a voice of reason and a history of organization and leadership to the Freeholders group.
Please consider Cheryle Noble as write-in candidate for Position No. 8.
Resident of Bonney Lake for 17 years
Community Involvement: Appointed to the Bonney Lake City Council 4/03 and ran and was elected to the City Council in 2003. Served a four year term until it expired at the end of 2007. Served on the Public Safety and Community Development Committees. Earned Advanced Leadership Certificate through the Associated Cities of Washington (AWC). Longtime non profit volunteer and board member with a medical non profit and a domestic violence prevention group.
Personal Views: "I am voting NO on the Charter change. If the Charter does pass I will bring many years of hands on experience and knowledge to the process. As a council member and a citizen, I have experienced first hand how our city government works.
While no system, even Democracy, is perfect, it works! Rest assured that your constitutional rights are well intact. The city is run well by department professionals and a Mayor and Council, along with all citizen's voices and ideas wrapped into a proven process. Bonney Lake WORKS for all of us!"
Please consider Steve Riggs as write-in candidate for Position No. 10.
Please consider Richard Rawlings as write-in candidate for Position No. 11.
Please consider Dave Schulte as write-in candidate for Position No. 12.
Education: Thomas Jefferson High School, Federal Way, WA, Bates Technical College
Occupation: Truck Driver
Personal Views: I am VOTING NO CHARTER. If you check the City of Bonney Lake website, you will see that citizens are already at the top of the chart. Citizens already have a vehicle to get a law changed and make their voices heard by contacting the City or their legislators, attending meetings and voting.
The City has made great strides in getting information out to it’s residents. A special interest is trying to bring about their own agendas because of beefs they have or have had to the City to the detriment of all. I do not support a change in government, but if elected I will be a voice of reason. I think "if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Please consider Fred Jacobsen as write-in candidate for Position No. 13.
Resident of Bonney Lake since 1998 but a resident of the Greater Bonney Lake area since 1973
Education: Bachelors in Economics and Finance from the University of Puget Sound
Occupation: Retired Communications Director/Engineer
Community Involvement: Member of the Park Board, Active in Lake Bonney Conservation Association, Greater Bonney Lake Historical Society, and Greater Bonney Lake Veteran's Memorial Committee, MS Advocate on the MS - Government Relations Committee and MS Co-lead of the Tacoma MS Support Group, Past Board Member, Grandview Homeowners Association
Personal Views: The proposed change to a charter-code city offers no added benefits over our current form of government. Therefore, it would appear that Dan Decker and Lynda Dabson are attempting to overthrow our current slate of elected officials.
I've found the mayor and most city council members to be cooperative and willing to listen to citizen issues so I see no reason for a change at this time. I've asked Mr. Decker why we should change our current form of government, have been unable to get an answer, will be voting NO on this charter issue and will work to retain the current form of government.
Please consider Grant Sulham as write-in candidate for Position No. 14.
Resident of Bonney Lake since 1999
Education: Masters in Counseling University of LaVerne, Bachelors in Education Castleton State College, Graduate, Army Sergeant Majors Academy
Community Involvement: Member Planning Commission, Special Education Teacher, Bonney Lake High, Past Vice-president, Sky Island Homeowners Association
Personal Views: The city government responds to constructive comments from it's citizens. The "ain't it awful" whine may impress some but real progress is made when you say what needs fixing then volunteer to help fix it. The charter is a "Pig in a Poke" where you don't know what you're buying.