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Mark Hoppen
Residence: Gig Harbor
Contact: 253-851-9678
E-mail: hoppenm@gmail.com
Occupation: municipal administration

Experience: Served local jurisdictions for 17 years as a public educator and 20 years as a municipal official. Elected councilman City of Gig Harbor 1990-92. Gig Harbor City Administrator 1992-2006. Managed City of Puyallup Development Services and Public Works 2006-2009. Appointed by Gov. Gregoire to Washington State Public Works Board 2008 (four-year term). Board representative to Puget Sound Partnership state agency caucus. Participation with Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, Tacoma Narrows Airport Advisory Commission, Chamber, Rotary.

Education: Bachelors degree, English Literature, political science minor, UW, 1974; masters degree, public administration with human resources specialization, UW, 1981; doctoral degree, educational leadership with specialization in local governance, Seattle University, 1997. Certified K-12 elementary and secondary teacher and principal. International City/County Management Association credentialed manager, ICMA-CM.

What do you see as the three top issues facing Gig Harbor?
The three top issues include: 1) maintenance of the fiscal integrity of city operations and maintenance of city service levels; 2) promoting a high quality built environment and retaining business within the city and urban growth area; and 3) assessing citizen needs and crafting policies that thoughtfully respond to those expressed needs. The City Council needs to ensure residential health, business health and utility health with clear vision and budgetary good sense.

What measures would you support to keep your city living within its means?
Principally, in order to live within its means, the city must maintain staffing levels consistent with available on-going revenues. The city should prioritize public safety, utility and street development first and parks development second. The city should assure that its six-year capital plans are in-line with its actual budgetary capacity. The city should rapidly reduce its debt obligation on the city hall as previously planned. No new taxes should be imposed in the upcoming budget.

Why are you the best candidate for this office?
I am the best candidate for this office because I have been a resident of the City of Gig Harbor for 55 years, fostered most of the modern city infrastructure, and understand the budgetary priorities of Gig Harbor governance, including both city and schools. I ran a sound financial operation for 15 years as city administrator, follow through on my promises, and understand how to budgetarily guide, set policies, support and empower city administrative services.

Personal Statement:
I live in Gig Harbor with my wife of 33 years, Marilyn and daughter, Whitney, a PLU junior. I've lived in the same neighborhood for over 25 years. My intent is to foster a walkable, enjoyable city with healthy local businesses and with livable residential and business neighborhoods. With careful forethought and action, the City of Gig Harbor can remain a beautiful, intimate experience, even as it increases in population and realizes its planned density.

Tim Payne
Residence: Gig Harbor
Contact: 253-606-6523
E-mail: info@ReElectTimPayne.com
Website: www.ReElectTimPayne.com
Occupation: Executive Vice President, EMA, Inc.

Experience: Gig Harbor City Council 2006 - Present; Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce, Member 2005 - Present; Gig Harbor Little League Assistant Coach 2009; Harbor History Museum, Member 2002 - Present, Harbor History Museum Capital Campaign Drive Committee member 2006 -2008; Boundless Playground, Sehmel Park Capital Drive, 2008 - 2009; Gig Harbor Historic Downtown Waterfront Association Member, 2008 - Present; Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church, member 2002 - Present; ECOSS, Board member & Chair 1994 - 2007

Education: Bachelor's Degree, Business Administration, Seattle Univerity, 1984; Bachelor's Degree, English, Seattle University, 1985; Juris Doctor, Leflar School of Law, University of Arkansas, 1988

What do you see as the three top issues facing Gig Harbor?
1) Sewer - We are in the midst of a $25M rehabilitation of our plant, outfall & pump stations. This is an enormous financial challenge for our small community. 2) Streets - Streets needing replacement like 38th Street and interchanges needing improvement like Pt. Fosdick/Olympic & Borgen/Burnam must be our priority. Finding the funds (local, State & Federal) will be critical. 3) Growth - We must balance growth while protecting our heritage, charm & environment.

What measures would you support to keep your city living within its means?
These are challenging times for government. Government, like the private sector, must learn to live within its means. In the past year, I have supported cuts in non-critical staff, services & projects. I do not believe that tax increases are the answer. This will only stifle businesses and pinch our citizen's personal budgets. In these next few years, we will continue to find ways to run more efficiently and make sound business decisions.

Why are you the best candidate for this office?
Some people run for office to be something. I'm running for re-election to do something. I am the only Council Member with a young family. My priorities are focused on families and their needs. In my business life, my clients are major US cities, water and wastewater utilities. We work to improve the way they provide services. As a result, I bring a unique understanding of city operations. I love our community.

Personal Statement:
It is my great honor and priviledge to serve our maritime city as your Council Member. Over the past for years, these have been, and continue to be, critical years shaping our community. As a father of two small boys and a resident of downtown, I am working for a Gig Harbor that serves our families, protects our heritage and provides for balanced, responsible growth in downtown, the West Side and Gig Harbor North.