This the second of three questions posed to two candidates running for the only challenged seat on Issaquah City Council this November.
Q: City council made a list of its top goals for 2012, which of those goals would you focus on most? Why?
Joshua Schaer
The annual goal-setting process informs both the city administration and public of the council’s priorities during the upcoming budget year.
I am proud of the fact that one of my priorities – scoping a structured parking study for Olde Town – became the top item on the list. Improving parking options in the downtown core will benefit local businesses and reduce traffic congestion.
Another one of my recommendations, to develop a plan for reducing the city’s energy waste, is a priority for 2012. We can further enhance our reputation for protecting the environment by decreasing carbon emissions, reducing power usage in city buildings and protecting the natural resources we all enjoy.
Additionally, I led the council to incorporate incentives for attracting new business into our economic vitality goal. Because major employers across multiple industries already call Issaquah home, we are well-positioned to compete regionally and attract more jobs that enhance the community’s character.
During my next term, I will work to improve the decision-making standards so that all goals – including ones that should have carried over from previous years – need to be approved by a majority of the council in an accessible public forum.
T.J. Filley
Among the City Council’s top goals for 2012, I would focus most on the Olde Town Parking Study in that I believe lack of available parking impacts congestion and therefore peoples’ decisions on whether or not to shop in Olde Town.
Likewise, the goal to create economic vitality works in concert with my campaign goal of job growth, as does the goal of bringing Health Point and Dental Point services to Issaquah immediately.
From a fiscal responsibility standpoint, the potential to find compromises with Fire Districts 10 and 38, allowing us to continue partnerships with Eastside Fire and Rescue, would also be high on my list as well as creation of a plan for reducing the city’s energy waste and the improving the budget negotiation process.
