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Tacoma council at-large position 6« Go back
Keven Rojecki
Residence: Tacoma
Contact: (253) 292-3676
E-mail: keven@rojeckifortacoma.com
Website: www.rojeckifortacoma.com
Occupation: Firefighter

Experience: Currently, a Board Member of the North End Neighborhood Council, Board of Directors for Communities In Schools -- Tacoma, Chairman of the Washington State Gambling Commission, Representative/Trustee for State Firefighters Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee, and District Representative for Washington State Council of Fire Fighters. I coach for my sons Little League baseball team and actively volunteer with Washington-Hoyt Elementary PTA, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Firefighters Burn Foundation, American Cancer Society, and many other charitable causes.

Education: Firefighter Apprenticeship

What do you see as the three top issues facing Tacoma?
1)Public Safety -- partner with community leaders to develop a realistic plan to reduce violent crime, gang activity and create safer more livable neighborhoods. 2)Jobs & Economic Development --focus on solutions with community and business leaders to reduce our high unemployment by attracting living wage jobs and capital investment in economic growth. 3)Transportation -- create a sensible plan to repair potholes and street improvements. I support renewed accountability and transparency to guide trust in Tacoma.

Do you support the city's proposed $180 million streets and sidewalks measure? Why or why not?
I support fixing Tacoma's city streets, as I believe they are in serious disrepair. I do not agree with passing a 12% property tax increase in the midst of a recession. Infrastructure needs are a fundamental responsibility of government and should be financed through government's basic system of taxation rather than a special levy. As a City Council Member, I will reprioritize expenditures for basic needs, including public safety, transportation, and safer streets.

What more, if anything, does the city need to do to attract and retain employers?
Priority; make our streets safer and more secure. The city must stimulate investment in each of our mixed-use centers and develop opportunities with public-private partnerships that demonstrate long-term reward by linking neighborhood development with overall economic growth. The city must take advantage of development opportunities with public investment, reestablish confidence in Tacoma's image, and create an overall strategy for a more livable and vibrant community by developing an improved multi-modal transportation system throughout the city.

Personal Statement:
I have committed my career to community service and fighting for working families. I will make public safety and safer streets a priority. I will fight for family wage jobs and be supportive of local businesses. I believe we must fix potholes and work for long-term infrastructure improvements within our means. I believe government programs must deliver results and be accountable and transparent to improve trust in Tacoma. I will reinvigorate leadership with new ideas.

Victoria Woodards
Residence: Tacoma
Contact: 253.370.0283
E-mail: victoria@woodardsforcitycouncil.com
Website: www.woodardsforcitycouncil.com
Occupation: Assistant, Pierce County Council

Experience: *Trustee, Washington State Historical Society *Ethnic Fest Producer, 1999-present *Former Chair, Washington State *Commission on African American Affairs *US Army, 1983-86 *President, Metro Parks Board of Commissioners, 2004-present *Executive Assistant, Tacoma Urban League, 1992-97 *Pierce County Councilmember Assistant, 1997-present *Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, Grants Distribution Committee *Co, Chair, Tacoma Civil Rights Project, present *Founding Member, Elizabeth Wesley Awards *Co-Chair, Citizens for Schools, Campaign -- School Levy Successful *Member, Broadway Center for the Performing, Education & Outreach Committee

Education: Lincoln High School Graduate

What do you see as the three top issues facing Tacoma?
1. Creating successful opportunities for our working families and businesses. A successful local economy is key to our growth as a city. 2. Upgrading and maintaining our local infrastructure. A thriving city like Tacoma requires maintained streets, effective transportation, and an investment in projects that will keep us moving. 3. Making city government more responsive and efficient. In tough economic times like this, we expect our government to use our tax dollars wisely.

Do you support the city's proposed $180 million streets and sidewalks measure? Why or why not?
1. Creating successful opportunities for our working families and businesses. A successful local economy is key to our growth as a city. 2. Upgrading and maintaining our local infrastructure. A thriving city like Tacoma requires maintained streets, effective transportation, and an investment in projects that will keep us moving. 3. Making city government more responsive and efficient. In tough economic times like this, we expect our government to use our tax dollars wisely.

What more, if anything, does the city need to do to attract and retain employers?
Tacoma should remain a competitive community that creates a space for industries to grow and reduces sprawl. Successful business means successful economic development and community. This can be achieved by providing incentives to businesses (i.e. Commercial Revitalilization Deduction, CRD) that create family wage jobs and contribute to the success of local economy. Focusing on Tacoma's assets in collaboration with every neighborhood is a step in the right direction.

Personal Statement:
I'm proud to call Tacoma my home for more than 40 years. I'm a product of our public school system, and I feel as if I can represent all of Tacoma because I have lived in every party of the city. I've learned from past experiences in life if you want change, you have to be willing to step up and be a part of it.