Dear Neighbor,

There really is no place quite like Issaquah.  From our mighty Issaquah Alps to the businesses that call Issaquah home, from the independent Pacific Northwesterners to the salmon-filled waterways of our valleys, and from our artistic and cultural treasures to the wilderness gateways just beyond our doors, we have something truly unique in America.

But sustaining this wonderful place for future generations requires hard work and smart choices now.  Issaquah is entering a new phase.  For years we've grown at an incredible rate.  But that’s slowing down.  Our challenge is to grow in ways that preserve the special characteristics of each of our unique neighborhoods, yet promote living wages and attainable housing.  We have to practice more responsible tax stewardship, understanding that our citizens are facing tough economic times.  We must plan more carefully than ever before, knowing that we can't just grow our way out of any short-sighted decisions.  And through it all we must be ever-vigilant shepherds of the incredible natural environment that surrounds us.

I've committed my life solving complicated social and technical problems.  I've built my professional success around bringing people together to work out practical and pragmatic solutions.  And if you elect me on November 3rd, I'll bring that same passion and energy to making sure that Issaquah keeps what makes it special and amazing, as we face the challenges ahead of us.