Elections Database
Edgewood council position 5« Go back
Donna O'Ravez
Residence: Edgewood
Contact: 253-863-3457
E-mail: oravez@comcast.net
Occupation: Self-employed Garden Center Owner

Experience: Eastern Pierce Co. Chamber of Commerce Milton Edgewood Chamber of Commerce 2000 to present - member of Concerned Women for Sound Government, which educates women on local, state and federal issues, and supports candidates through fundraising, etc. Appointed to fill Edgewood City Council Position 5 vacancy Feb. 2009.

Education: Graduated Puyallup High School 1969 Attended Western Washington University 1969/1970 Bank Management 1970-1976 Various business courses at local community colleges and through business organizations. 35 years experience as a private business owner in Edgewood

What do you see as the three top issues facing Edgewood?
1. Balancing the Budget 2. To promote economic development, continue the revision of codes and regulations to make Edgewood attractive for residential and business growth. This will remove the reputation that Edgewood is a difficult place to build a home or business, and bring needed revenue. 3. Use the new City Hall site to its fullest potential -- one of which would be to encourage the site for a new Pierce County Regional Library.

What measures would you support to keep your city living within its means?
Until such time as economic development will bring in needed revenue, I would: 1. Support decreasing City staff as much as possible without sacrificing core services such as roads and public safety. 2. Freeze city employee wages for duration of the economic downturn. 3. If needed in addition to above, would research all options, including merging with another city, minimum utility tax, levy lid lifts -- and would seek citizen voter approval.

Why are you the best candidate for this office?
The present council and planning commission are now dealing with codes, regulations and fees that were implemented during my opponent's 8 year council tenure that made development in Edgewood very difficult. He thought sales tax equalization would always be around to support the city. I believe I possess the vision to promote a healthy environment for economic and residential growth that the city needs to sustain itself during good and bad times.

Personal Statement:
Our republic is only as strong as our (the citizens) willingness to get involved. It is my turn. It is not well enough to sit on the sidelines and complain. I believe my 40 years of business experience would be helpful in promoting the economic development the city desperately needs. I would serve using these principles: Exercise budget discipline Focus on core services Respect private property Promote free market solutions Open communication with citizens

John Powers
Residence: Edgewood
E-mail: edgewoodpowers@yahoo.com
Website: http://powersforedgewood.com.p4.hostingprod.com/
Occupation: retired

Experience: 10 years as Edgewood City councilman, 1995-2005. Mayor for four of those years. Parks involvement 1994-2009. Current in planning, budgeting, county, and state regulations regarding city operations. Experienced in land use, comprehensive planning, and the Growth Management Act.

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Major Economics, Central Washington State College,1969. Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Major Accounting, Central Washington University, 1977. Graduate USAF Pilot Training, Class 71-01, 1970. KC-135 Pilot training, 1970.

What do you see as the three top issues facing Edgewood?
Budgeting and finance is the most important issue facing Edgewood. We are spending more than we receive in revenue. Merging with neighboring cities would be a great loss of our identity. We do not want to become what we moved away from. Our Comprehensive Plan is under attack by those who stand to gain by changes to make us look more like Auburn, Kent, and other cities. We need to save Edgewood.

What measures would you support to keep your city living within its means?
We need to stop spending. The current council continues to spend on analysis by outside vendors on studies of our storm water, and another to analyze and recommend changes to our design standards and development regulations. Sales tax will not save us. Our current city sales would have to more than double to come up with the $750k hole we are currently in. Businesses do not operate to provide us with sales tax.

Why are you the best candidate for this office?
1. I have been a small business owner. 2. I have the experience of City leadership to properly conduct City business. 3. Current city council has spent more than we take in, and I will not. 4. I am willing to make the changes to Edgewood that will keep it viable, without changing or losing the place we all call home.

Personal Statement:
The current council is composed of business owners/operators and those aligned with them. Unfortunately, the last four years have driven the City in to debt, and the council continues to spend. Council should represent all the citizens, not just the best interests of developers and business. Citizens pay all the taxes, either directly, or through purchase prices. I want to represent all the citizens of Edgewood, and want to serve you.