Email to the Editor: Hoke Overland Candidate Statement for Enumclaw City Council

Most simply put, Enumclaw is in trouble and we need to get our city moving forward again economically. King County's 2014 forecast shows Enumclaw as only one of two areas in South King County with a drop in assessed value (the other is Skyway). While other cities will have posted a gain in value, our values will sink by another -5.5% (yes, minus 5.5%).  Even Skyway beat us as their drop is only predicted to be -2.3%. By the way, values in places like Federal Way, Pacific and White Center are going up, while we are going down.

http://www.kingcounty.gov/business/Forecasting.aspx

Click on the link above and then open the orange button for the Chief Economist's forecast (scroll to page 21).

My opponent, Sean Krebs, has had three terms on the council—his record, or lack thereof, speaks for itself. For the last four years, he has controlled the Economic Development Committee.  He misses many meetings and is absent on critical votes.  Instead of procrastinating and fighting, it’s time to help the rest of our council change Enumclaw’s direction. Sean may try to tell you he is crucial to the council. If he is so crucial, why does he miss more meetings than any other council person?

Where do you work and what is your job title? 

King County Medic One -35 years total

Chief of Operations – Last 13 years

Where do you live?

3210 Garfield Street

I have lived in the city for a total of 12 years and an additional 4 years on the Plateau. I plan on retiring here.

Spouse and Children

Cyndi Overland- Employed by Tahoma School District

My three children all attended Enumclaw K-12, and have gone on to graduate from college and have careers.

Education

Attended Green River Community College - Business

Attended University of Washington - Paramedicine

Community Involvement

• Former Enumclaw volunteer firefighter

• Former Committee Chair – Enumclaw Boy Scout Troop 546

CAMPAIGN INFORMATION:

Web site: www.VoteHoke.com
Email address: votehoke@gmail.com
Phone number: 253-740-0288 (cell)
Campaign manager: Bethany Overland Jack, my daughter

What is the primary reason you are running for this office?

1. I want Enumclaw to flourish again and I want to serve our community. While nearby communities have prospered over the past decade (Maple Valley and Sumner are two examples), Enumclaw has slipped.  We have revolving, empty storefronts and streets that need repair. We live in a very special, charming community, and it’s time to return success to our city. I don’t want to change our charm but I do want to fix our roads and ensure that we have a plan to protect our city from sub-par development.  

What will be your top three priorities if you get elected and why?

1. Many of our streets are in terrible shape. I want to work with the other council members to develop a long-term plan to take care of this blight on our city.
2. Revenue from tourism is our future. We have the opportunity to become a destination for tourists that want to play in the mountains (hike, ski, snowmobile, horseback ride and visit Mt. Rainier).  They are willing to spend money if we are willing to cater to their tourism. The revenue they generate will not only support our downtown but it will also help the city with much-needed revenue. Imagine a city with a few B&Bs, a quality hotel and other supporting services.  I support tourism to the extent that it provides revenue to support our town and businesses but doesn’t negatively impact our citizens.
3. While I’m not in favor of a lot of growth, I’m in favor of having planned, quality residential and commercial growth. Some of our growth has been haphazard and detracts from our quality of life and image. We need growth (jobs) that blends well with our city and that is attractive. (Please see VoteHoke.com for more of my ideas on this.)

What sets you apart from your opponent?

• Councilman Krebs called the city’s proposed Chinook Scenic Byway Welcome Center "nothing more than a glorified pee stop.” He doesn’t understand the vision of how tourism can fill our storefronts and help our town thrive. Now he is trying to torpedo bed and breakfasts by making the parking requirements onerous. Our downtown will not survive without tourism.

• Councilman Krebs has a terrible attendance record and is absent on critical votes. Last year, he missed a quarter of the city council meetings and many critical committee meetings.  I promise to be there for critical votes.

• He also didn’t vote to accept a .5% (yes—that’s half of a percent) loan from the state to fix our streets. This will cost us dearly in the future.

In Closing

I can listen to differing views without becoming defensive and am able to deal with controversial topics in non-confrontational ways. I will work hard to bring the council together to benefit the city. I am known for my integrity, fiscal responsibility and common sense. I believe in a balanced budget approach and that government needs to be responsible and accountable to its citizens. I am about partnering, relationships and a collaborative approach. It’s time to get things moving again; let’s increase our prosperity while maintaining the charm of our community. I appreciate Councilman Krebs’s service over the last 16 years but, I will bring fresh, new ideas to our council.

Thanks for your consideration,

Hoke