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Lakewood council position 3« Go back
Sam Ross
Residence: Lakewood
Contact: 253-235-2233
E-mail: sam@electsamross.com
Website: http://www.electsamross.com

Experience: Vice Chair, Lakewood Public Safety Advisory Committee, 2008-Present; Advocacy Chair, Lakewood and Tacoma Relay for Life, 2006-Present; Board Member, North Lakewood Neighborhood Association, 2008-Present; Member, Lakewood First Lions, 2006-Present

Education: Bachelor's Degree, Law, Societies and Justice, University of Washington, 2006

Lakewood voters rejected a proposed ban on minicasinos last November, but the city has said it wants to wean itself off gambling tax revenue. Do you agree and if so, how would you do it?
I think we are too dependent on gambling revenue, as we all saw with the number of police and City staff and programs that were endangered by the Proposition 1 vote last year. We need to expand our business presence and professional work spaces, along I-5, down in Woodbrook, and in our downtown sections to bring in new jobs and revenues so we don't have this one industry supplying so much of our total budget.

Tillicum is one of the city's most economically depressed neighborhoods, yet the city says it has untapped potential for redevelopment. Do you agree and if so, how would you suggest Tillicum be redeveloped?
Tillicum has huge potential for future growth, especially along I-5. The area along the freeway is ideal for any number of industries to move in, from high end retail to military contractors and everyone in between, and if developed properly could become a destination location for the whole region. The project running now to bring in sewers to Tillicum is a good and necessary start to redevelopment and will soon bring in jobs and businesses.

Lakewood police reached a milestone with the opening of its new station last year. What should the police department's goals be moving forward?
The Lakewood Police are doing a whole lot of good things. The Community Service Officer and Neighborhood Patrol Officer program has been a huge success. Crime rates are down compared to nearby cities. The real public safety challenge moving forward is for the city to give the police the budget and resources they need to hire additional full time police so we can actually have a full and complete force of 114 officers.

Personal Statement:
The City of Lakewood is on its way to becoming the vibrant city that we've always wanted it to be, and to help the City make it there we need a council that has the drive and the energy to work hands on with the people of this city every step of the way. I am the candidate who has done this before and will do it again to help our city grow and thrive.

Jason Whalen
Residence: Lakewood
Contact: 253-606-4937
E-mail: jwhalen@eisenhowerlaw.com
Website: www.jasonwhalen.org
Occupation: Attorney

Experience: Member, Lakewood Planning Advisory Board, 2006-present; Member, Lakewood Rotary, 2006-present; Member (various leadership roles), St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 1999-present; Past Board Member, Lakewood YMCA; Elected Commissioner, Pierce County Charter Review Commission, 2006; Past Board Member, Tacoma-Pierce County Red Cross; Past Member, Judicial Qualifications Committee, Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association; Volunteer Mediator, Center for Dispute Resolution; participant in "Lakewood University." Military Experience: U.S. Army, Field Artillery Officer, 1985-'89; U.S. Army Reserves, 1989-'92; Washington Army National Guard, 1992-'93.

Education: Bachelor of Arts, economics and speech communication, magna cum laude, Gonzaga University, 1985; Juris Doctor (law degree), magna cum laude, Gonzaga University School of Law, 1992.

Lakewood voters rejected a proposed ban on minicasinos last November, but the city has said it wants to wean itself off gambling tax revenue. Do you agree and if so, how would you do it?
I agree that Lakewood should limit its reliance on any single revenue source, including gambling tax revenue. I will support efforts to expand our tax base through strategic economic development and tax incentives for such development. To "wean" the City off of gambling tax revenue, I will support efforts to redirect revenue from the City's general fund to special purpose budgets for transportation and infrastructure improvements (such as sidewalks and other nonmotorized transporation improvements).

Tillicum is one of the city's most economically depressed neighborhoods, yet the city says it has untapped potential for redevelopment. Do you agree and if so, how would you suggest Tillicum be redeveloped?
The Tillicum neighborhood has great potential for redevelopment. As a member of the City's Planning Advisory Board, I have been directly involved in the review of redevelopment efforts, including the Tillicum/Woodbrook sewer extension, the pending Tillicum Neighborhood Plan, and interim zoning controls. Tillicum can best be redeveloped by working with all stakeholders to finalize a plan that meets the needs of this unique neighborhood and yet delivers the necessary incentives for good, long term development.

Lakewood police reached a milestone with the opening of its new station last year. What should the police department's goals be moving forward?
The Police Department's primary goal is to maintain the public safety. To achieve that goal, the Department should: (1) allocate recently awarded grant monies to get additional officers on the street (not to fund administrative positions); (2) continue the work of the new gang unit to crush gang activity; (3) achieve national accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) to enhance and standardize operations; & (4) fully fund neigborhood policing programs.

Personal Statement:
I am running for Council because I believe City leadership must work to improve and enhance our quality of life in Lakewood. To improve our quality of life, we must continue to make our neighborhoods safer while building and sustaining a better, more diverse economic base. To improve our quality of life, we must also work to improve our parks, streets, and schools. I have the experience, education, and background to get the job done.