My name is Diane Buckshnis and I’m driven to promote new approaches to solving old problems. My career experience as a trusted advisor, a banker and a banking regulator has prepared me for the challenges Edmonds' City Government must address concerning fiscal responsibility, transparency and open access to City officials. I am ready to be your Council Member and carry out the vision that I have today to ensure a bright future for tomorrow.
I’ve demonstrated my commitment to Edmonds through my proactive leadership and volunteering efforts, supporting our arts community, parks, and sustainable living practices by serving as Directors on both the Edmonds Arts Festival and O.L.A.E. (Off-Leash Area Edmonds). I was instrumental in founding the non-profit group O.L.A.E. that stewards the dog beach. This group, established in 2005, has been used as an example for other volunteer groups that currently works in this City and surrounding areas (ShoreDog, MLTdog, Edmonds Backyard Wildlife Habitat). Since I work in the Wine Bar and Bistro area of the Edmonds Art Festival, I started a bottle recycling program three years ago for the Festival and Edmonds Art Festival Foundation Preview Party. Last year, we recycled over 618 bottles.
I am an appreciator of historical preservations, having established the historical designation of my own 1931 English Tudor home in Oregon that my grandparents had purchased in the 1940's.
I also have learned first-hand about the impact of climate change as I have met scientist from the South Pole. My experience as a technical writer for weather station manuals made me start a sustainable living practice and I support the organization Sustainable Edmonds, Sierra Club - Cascade Chapter and other local groups.
The answer IS fiscal responsibility and tourism: The recession leaves our city government with difficult challenges to continue effectively delivering fundamental services, while fostering economic growth and development. As a banking regulator, I understand budgetary issues and ways to scrutinize excess spending. And I recognize we’ll need to stimulate growth and revenue. For this, I have the skills and track record needed to encourage commerce by supporting our business community via marketing our city’s assets. Yes, potential visitors need to know about the amenities offered by the heart of Edmonds to drop in for a visit, eating in our restaurants and supporting our merchants, visting our dog or scuba parks. That’s called MARKETING!
The answer IS NOT taller buildings on the waterfront: Long-term growth cannot be sustained with property tax revenue from increased density. In fact, have you considered that a portion of the revenue generated from increased downtown density must flow back out of City coffers due to increased demand and expectation for services? The risk posed by potentially reducing the attractiveness of downtown Edmonds is too great to our commerce and our quality of life; yet, connecting our marina and downtown business areas with more inviting spaces including revenue generating and marketable shops and restaurants is key.
Preserving open spaces, maintaining our parks, historical preservation, promoting the arts, noise pollution, and living sustainably IS our heritage: Our approach to development must reflect and raise awareness of our values that bring us together as a community. Aren’t these traditions the reason we’re so proud to call Edmonds our home? Aren’t these elements the reason others are drawn to our community, supporting our property values and revenue generating commerce? Yes, what is good for our quality of life is good for our businesses and when we sacrifice those things that makes Edmonds special (hanging flower baskets, old-time street lights, wide open spaces, pedestrian-friendly public gatherings) we will risk compromising our financial-well being.
VOTE DIANE BUCKSHNIS - SHE WILL BE YOUR BEST ADVOCATE!
