As a trusted advisor, former banker and banking regulator, I have experienced many situations in my career. I also have spent hundreds of hours volunteering throughout Edmonds. I will continue to be a visible and accessible volunteer. I am ready to help the citizens of Edmonds move through this recession by being the Council financial watchdog. Here are some of my ideas:
Stimulate our Economy through Fiscal Responsiblity and Marketing Tourism:
This next year will be challenging for everyone as we live through this recession. As a former banker, I understand budgetary issues and ways to scrutinize excess spending. We will need to stimulate growth and revenue and I have the time and skills to encourage commerce and attract businessess through marketing our city as a Festival City and a destination town. We have lovely assets along our waterfront with one of the best dog parks and scuba diving venues in the greater Seattle area, if not the Pacific Northwest, and we should be showcasing these areas.
As a fundraising volunteer for two non-profit groups and retail volunteer in Edmonds, I understand ways of involving the public and encouraging commerce through marketing our city's assets. Also, I helped establish the banking system in Lithuania and I know what it is like to work through economic uncertainty.
Require Governmental Transparency and Accountability:
We must scrutinize our spending to identify waste and non-mandatory spending such in the areas of consultants. Citizens want THEIR money spent wisely. I will ensure accountabilty regarding finance and regulatory requirements such as competitive bidding. We need to address the unique qualities of all neighborhoods and retail business districts as we are ALL STAKEHOLDERS in planning this town's future. My financial oversight and regulatory accomplishments are unmatched by any other candidate. I will "walk the talk" for the citizens of Edmonds.
Preserve our traditions and support our arts community:
I own a historically designated home in Oregon and believe in historical preservation. I have been a Director for the Edmonds Art Festival for the past four years; I am convinced that the arts will help pull us out of this recession by bringing people together to share in the community. We have over twenty festivals/events in Edmonds...so let's support the Festivals and Arts and bring hope back into our community!
Preserve our open spaces, wetlands, and views on the Waterfront:
As a technical writer for manuals covering weather stations that document climate change, I understand our need to reduce our carbon footprint. I will continue to support the preservation of our open spaces and wetlands. We all must move towards a sustainable Edmonds and practice mindfulness in the way we manage our lives.
As a former regulator, I know how to manage special interest groups and have travelled extensively and observed many albatrosses on waterfronts because the City Council did not stand up to developers. I am for low impact development in the outlying areas of Edmonds. I am AGAINST tall buildings on the waterfront or within the downtown district. I believe height restrictions should remain in place and codes followed. I will fight to regain Council City involvement on land-use issues relative to substantial shoreline development and shoreline variances.
As a former program manager of an Air Force contract, I understand the noise and air quality issues of commercial aircrafts. I will work diligently to keep commercial air traffic out of Paine Field.
Diane Buckshnis will work to protect our heritage and our neighborhoods!