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Tacoma council district 4« Go back
Marty Campbell
Residence: Tacoma
Contact: 253-376-3774
E-mail: electcampbell@gmail.com
Website: www.electcampbell.org
Occupation: Small Business Owner

Experience: Business Owner - Stadium Video & Buzzard's Discs; Cross District Business Association - Chair, 2008 to 2010; New Tacoma Neighborhood Council - Past Chair, 2007 to 2009; Grand Cinema Theater - Board Member, 2005 to 2011; Downtown Merchants Group - Past President, 2005 to 2007; Tacoma Urban Network - Board Member, 2008 to 2011; Member: Tacoma's East Action Membership (TEAM) Dometop Neighborhood Alliance First Creek Neighbors McKinley Business District Tacoma Avenue Crime and Safety Group

Education: 1989--90 - University of Nebraska -- studied Pre-economics 1993 - High Line Community College -- Certificate of Entrepreneurship 2008 - American Leadership Forum, class XIV

What do you see as the three top issues facing Tacoma?
We need a sustainable economic recovery plan that creates high-paying jobs, retains and recruits employers and develops our business districts into neighborhood centers again. We need to crack down on gangs and criminal behavior, implement stronger programs for keeping our kids out of gangs, more officers on the streets and more detectives to follow-up on cases. We need to work together to repair roads and do it the right way - efficiently and within budget.

Do you support the city's proposed $180 million streets and sidewalks measure? Why or why not?
No. While we need a sustainable plan to fix our streets and infrastructure, it is not a good time to be proposing tax increases. I will work to ensure that we are leveraging our current funding streams with county, state, federal and other sources to provide needed funding. We need to make sure that we have achievable goals and a strategic plan to reach them.

What more, if anything, does the city need to do to attract and retain employers?
We must continue investing in our business districts to make them thriving neighborhood centers. I will work to foster a culture of entrepreneurship encouraging local citizens to pursue their dreams and create work for others in Tacoma by streamlining and improving our permitting process. We should work with schools to support an education system that fully prepares students to be ready to work. We need an educational system that's attractive to employers and their families.

Personal Statement:
I'm running for City Council because I believe City government must develop an economic recovery plan that provides needed jobs. I'll use my experience and dedication to make our District an even better place to live, work and raise a family. I'll work to reduce crime, make the safety of our kids a top priority, repair our infrastructure, and promote economic recovery. With your support, I know we can accomplish a great deal for Tacoma.

Roxanne Murphy
Residence: Tacoma
Contact: 253-228-8567
E-mail: electroxanne@hotmail.com
Website: www.electroxanne.com
Occupation: Student

Experience: I've served as a board member on the Eastside Neighborhood Council, the McKinley Hill Business District, a volunteer for the Dometop Neighborhood Alliance, McKinley Street Festival, numerous community cleanups and author and creator of www.endeastsidecrime.com. I also served as a Community Relations Specialist for the City of Tacoma, and was voted as the 2008 Best City of Tacoma Employee through the Tacoma Weekly and was named to the 2008 Business Examiner's 40 Under 40 class.

Education: Bachelor's degree, communications, Central Washington University, 1999. Master's degree, public administration, The Evergreen State College, set to graduate in June of 2010.

What do you see as the three top issues facing Tacoma?
The three top issues facing the Eastside and South End of Tacoma are public safety, stimulation of the local economy and civic engagement. I would work tirelessly to increase the governmental focus on District 4 to tackle these issues. Another step in this process is ending community apathy within District 4 and I want to ensure and prove that the City really does care to help bring pride back to the Eastside and South End.

Do you support the city's proposed $180 million streets and sidewalks measure? Why or why not?
I don't support the City's streets and sidewalks measure because I don't think it would pass in this down economy. The City needs to do a better job helping community members understand the existing six-year street transportation plan, how infrastructure funding is allocated within Tacoma and a Public Works 101. Then, to pass such a levy, the City should offer stronger strategies and information on the improvements that community members could expect to see.

What more, if anything, does the city need to do to attract and retain employers?
Now is the time for the City to shift its focus from economic development to community development. We need to consider policies to attract small businesses to areas including McKinley Hill, Portland Avenue, 38th and Pacific. Creative, short-term tax or utility abatements could help stimulate such activity and bring investment back to the areas that truly need it. The City should also grow its programs to retain our existing and amazing small and mid-sized businesses.

Personal Statement:
I'm running for Tacoma City Council because I'm proud of, passionate about, and I believe in District 4 and all of its residents. Together, we can address our lasting issues, and much, much more. I'm also running to bring a diverse perspective to the Council as a member of Nooksack Tribe, especially in representing our gorgeous multicultural community. Please help elect the first Native American to the Tacoma City Council and vote for Roxanne Murphy.