Showing posts with label on the mayor's mind. Show all posts
Showing posts with label on the mayor's mind. Show all posts

On the Mayor's Mind: Leadership qualities and tonight's meeting

Monday, February 29, 2016

Shoreline Mayor Chris Roberts
By Shoreline Mayor Chris Roberts

This week I had the pleasure of visiting with the Shorewood High School Leadership class. The students asked me questions about the most important leadership qualities working in politics.

The most important leadership quality to me in an elected official is the ability to listen with an open heart and to be respectful. What I like about our Council is that the seven of us remain open to new ideas to make the best decisions for everyone in our community. I also recognize that we do not always get things right for everyone.

This Monday we will discuss how the City’s Transportation Impact Fee (TIF) affects new businesses. In July 2014, the Council adopted a TIF to help improve the level of service for Shoreline’s streets. We recognized that all developments have a shared responsibility to provide  transportation facilities that support the growth associated with the project. Before the adoption of the TIF, the only developments that were required to pay for their growth were those developments that caused traffic to “break” an intersection.

Since adoption of the TIF, the Council has made multiple changes to the program. In August 2015, the Council adopted several amendments to the program to encourage the development of low-income housing and to provide credit for businesses who enter vacant storefronts. In the 2016 budget, the Council reduced the increase in the fee after we learned that the TIF would increase from 2014 to 2015 by 34.98%. Earlier this year the Council determined that business growth and vitality was in the public interest and directed the staff develop an ordinance to provide an exemption or partial exemption to new businesses.

I continue to learn from the community and learn from my colleagues on the Council. Sometimes we disagree, but we know that we are going to continue to work collaboratively to benefit the entire City.



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On the Mayor's Mind: Homelessness

Friday, February 5, 2016

Shoreline Mayor Chris Roberts
By Shoreline Mayor Chris Roberts

Earlier this week, the Seattle Times ran an editorial calling for more regional partnership on addressing the issues of homelessness. As a resident of Shoreline, I know that we cannot solve this or other issues alone.

Last December, the Council adopted a resolution expressing support for the King County emergency proclamation in response to the growing crisis in the level of homelessness in the region.

In that effort, we directed our city staff to review policies and procedures to address homelessness. Included in those efforts would be a review of city codes to ensure that we do not criminalize the status of being without a permanent home.

The One Night Count, conducted on January 29th, identified 135 individuals in North King County without shelter  This represents a 280% increase since 2015. In addition, the Shoreline School District identifies over 300 students without permanent housing.

Across the state and region, cities are taking steps to address this issue. I was proud to work  with the Association of Washington Cities to make human services, homelessness and affordable housing one of the priorities in the association’s legislative agenda. Within King County, the Sound Cities Association has also made addressing homelessness a priority.

Making homelessness rare and one-time is a challenge for every jurisdiction and I am confident Shoreline will do its part.

The City expressed support for legislation that would allow a property tax credit for landlords preserving affordable housing when we met our legislators.

The City is partnering with the Ronald United Methodist Church, Compass Housing Alliance, and Hopelink to build 60 units of very affordable housing, including housing for veterans and their families near in our Town Center . It is expected that these units will be completed in 2017.

Also, the Council directed an increase in funding for Hopelink’s rental and utility assistance programs. This budget amendment should help Shoreline families remain in their houses.

We know there is still more to do, and I greatly appreciate the efforts of every Shoreline resident who works to provide individuals that happen to be homeless shelter, food, supplies, or comfort.



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On the Mayor's Mind - from the new Shoreline mayor

Monday, January 18, 2016

Shoreline Mayor Chris Roberts
By Shoreline Mayor Chris Roberts

Two years ago, Mayor Shari Winstead began writing a “semi-monthly article where she shares her thoughts and ideas on being Mayor of the Great City of Shoreline!” As the newly elected Mayor of Shoreline, I seek to continue the positive work done by previous councils and previous mayors to improve our community.

On Monday, January 4th, my colleagues on the Council selected me to serve as Mayor for the next two years. I am honored by their confidence in my ability to serve in this role.

The people of Shoreline elected me to the City Council in 2009 and again in 2013. I currently represent the City on the Association of Washington Cities Legislative Committee and the Sound Cities Association Public Issues Committee. I also serve as an alternate on the Puget Sound Regional Council’s Growth Management Policy Board. My wife, Heather, our son, Clark, and I live in the Meridian Park neighborhood.

In Shoreline, the role of mayor is primarily ceremonial. The mayor presides over Council meetings and represents the City at ceremonial functions and inter-governmental meetings. As mayor, I make appointments to regional committees when Shoreline is assigned a representative and work with the Deputy Mayor to set the Council’s agenda. In this way, the mayor of Shoreline is more akin to a council president or presiding officer of a legislative body than an elected mayor like Seattle’s Ed Murray, Lake Forest Park’s Jeff Johnson, or New York City’s Bill DeBlasio.

Shoreline’s form of government is far from unique, even if more people might be more familiar with an elected or executive mayor system. In Washington, 53 cities (or 18%), and nationwide, nearly 50%, of all cities utilize the council-manager form of government. The idea behind the council-manager form of government was to separate the roles of policy-making (which is done by an elected Council) from the professional implementation or administration of those policies.

As mayor, I will continue listening to your concerns and solutions for how we can make Shoreline a better place to work, live, and play. You can always reach me through my email.



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On the Mayor’s Mind – 12/23/15 - Put a bow on it!

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead
By Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead

For the last two years I’ve been thinking about what it would be like to write this “final” column. In case you don’t know, in Shoreline, our mayor is not elected by the people, but rather a councilmember is elected by the council, to serve a two year term as mayor.

It’s hard to believe my two years are just about over! I barely remember the first year – you wouldn’t think being Mayor would be much different from being a councilmember, even though it is said to be mostly a ceremonial position, there is a lot of work and effort that goes into preparing for, and running our weekly Council meetings, as well as the speeches, attending regional committee meetings, national conferences and meeting with our Federal Delegation. It’s easily been a 30 hour a week addition to my schedule. And I have to say, I’ve loved every minute of it.

I know I’ve said it before, but it has been a true honor and pleasure to serve as your Mayor.

“Loving every minute of it” may be a bit of an exaggeration; because there were certainly times when the time obligations of this position were a challenge. I assumed that after being a Councilmember for four years, becoming Mayor wouldn’t have been much of a change, but it was a very big change. As Mayor you are the face and voice of Shoreline, and sometimes, sitting in the center of the dais, it feels like people are taking their frustrations out on you, personally.

But that is one of the greatest lessons I have learned. It’s not personal.

Each one of us councilmembers does our very best. We read, we listen, we ask questions, we learn, and, we do as we are elected to – we make decisions based on information, values and what we believe is best for the City.

Even though we all have similar, or even the same information, we don’t always agree on the best solution. And that is the beauty of having a Council of seven. The representatives of the citizens all see things in their own way, which gives us the opportunity to have robust discussions, and even split votes. Unanimous votes are great, of course, and we are fortunate to have had many of those, but it is also important that different views are represented, and that those views are respected.  

Many people have asked me what it feels like to have to work with a colleague that you voted differently from. I just laugh, and think back to one of the best things I learned from former King County Councilmember Bob Ferguson (now Attorney General). You vote and move on.

And if you’re lucky, you have lunch, coffee or even a beer with that person, so you can make sure the waters are smooth. It doesn’t mean you have to agree with their position, but you have to work together, and these decisions are for the good of our community. Again, it’s not personal.

But what is personal is the pride I feel when I drive down Shoreline’s beautiful 3.2 miles of Aurora Avenue, or when I walk into a new Shoreline business, or gaze at our soon to be completed Veterans’ Memorial.

All of these projects were the effort of many, many people – not just the Mayor or the Council, but you, our engaged citizens and volunteers. In the next 10-20 years there will be many changes in Shoreline, and that’s what we have laid the groundwork for – so that these changes are well thought out, and not just a reaction to an insurgency of people who are priced out of Seattle so swarm our city. We all know Shoreline is a great place to live, and folks, the secret is out.

My thanks to all of my readers for giving me a forum to discuss what has been on the Mayor’s Mind – City issues, the loss of loved ones, celebrating new family members, and most of all, remembering to find joy and happiness every day, in the beauty around us.

So that’s 2015-2016, all wrapped up.

My best wishes to all of you.  I look forward to more years of working together, to bring the best to our great City.

Happy holidays,

Mayor Shari Winstead



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On the Mayor's Mind: Happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead
From Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead

It’s my favorite time of year, in fact my favorite week of the year. There’s lots of reasons for this - besides the quieter paced, short work week at my regular job - I really love spending time with my family, the planning and cooking process of the big get-together, and of course, the one time a year when I eat Pecan Pie.

But there are other great reasons, too. Over the last eight years, I have been involved in the budget process of government, which is quite different from the private sector. The budget process is actually happening all year long. The City Manager presents the recommended budget to the Council in mid-October. The budget is then vetted by the Council, and the public - each department’s budget is presented, week by week.

We hold public hearings, and hope for public comment. It’s very important for the Council to hear your thoughts before we adopt the budget - it’s how we determine if the funds are hitting the right priorities. This year we heard from a number of people regarding the financial need of the Shoreline Lake Forest Park Senior Center.

Last Monday, and it’s almost always the Monday before Thanksgiving, we adopted the City’s budget. I’m proud to report that the Council supported funding the Senior Center with an additional $26,000. We also designated an additional $19,600 to Hopelink, for their utility and rental assistance programs. There are always many great non-profit organizations offering important services to our citizens, that need a hand with their funding.

The budget season is a busy, intense time, with thousands of pages of reading over five or six weeks, and it’s always great when we pass a budget that not only takes care of the essential needs, like police and street maintenance, but is able to give a little extra help to our citizens in need. We all care very deeply about the health and welfare of our citizens.

I’m also happy to report that great things continue to happen in Shoreline. In 2015 we’ve seen new businesses sprout up in North City and Ridgecrest, the newest being the Ridgecrest Public House at NE 165th and 5th NE.  

Located across the street from the Crest Theater, it offers a cozy place to meet and hangout with friends and enjoy a beer. Although they don’t yet have a regular food kitchen, they’ve scheduled food trucks to make regular appearances, which makes it an even better experience, because dinner is a surprise, rather than the same old menu.

The owners are Shoreline residents who have chosen to invest in their community, because they saw a need. These are exactly the type of businesses we hope to attract, creating neighborhood nooks of places for people to go and socialize. Hopefully you’ll soon have one of these cool neighborhood businesses near you.

Don’t forget to swing by the Aurora Corridor completion celebration. Saturday, December 5, 2015, come and help celebrate the entire three miles of improvements. The celebration is at City Hall, beginning at 9:30am with a program commencing at 10:00am.

Hard to believe but it’s true, after all these years, the Shoreline portion of Aurora will finally be complete - and boy is it beautiful! I hope you will come celebrate with us. We all put up with some inconvenience during the last 15 years, but the one thing we can all agree to celebrate (besides the final removal of the traffic cones) is the tremendous decrease in traffic accidents. That is a very good thing!

I wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving, and a holiday season that is filled with fun, love and peace.



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On the Mayor’s Mind - Burglaries and Elections

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead
By Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead
10-17-15

After almost two years of writing this column, I sometimes feel like I start every article with a comment about how busy things have been, or how fast time is going by. I find that once again that’s the first thought on my mind, as I sit down with a house full of friends, having just returned from vacation. It was great to have a break from the day to day routine, although this break wasn’t as relaxing as we had hoped.

While away on vacation our house was burglarized. I know that many of you (too many, in fact) have also experienced this horrible violation of your privacy, so you understand what we have been feeling and going through. I won’t waste your time bellyaching about this horrible experience, but there are a couple of lessons learned I would like to share.

First, take photos of your stuff - it’s so easy to do with our cell phones. Don’t just save them to your computer, but email them to yourself. Because if your laptop is stolen so are your photos (goodbye honeymoon pictures). Make sure to photograph the serial numbers, too. 
Second, don’t assume that having an alarm will keep burglars away, or the fact that your neighbors are home and it’s 2:30 in the afternoon will keep your personal property safe.

My sincere hope is that you never have to experience a burglary. And, of course, if you see anything unusual happening in your neighborhood, don’t be afraid to call 911. Better safe than sorry.

The other prevalent item on my mind is the upcoming elections. No, not the presidential election in 2016, but the upcoming local election. Recently, I was having a conversation with a friend about the presidential candidates, and I asked him what he thought about the local city council candidates. I wish I could say I was surprised to hear that he wasn’t following the City Council races.

It is so disappointing that people get caught up in the drama and mudslinging of the presidential race, but don’t realize that local politics affects your day to day being as much -if not more - than the presidential election. The consistently low percentage of voter turnout for these elections, is astounding. Roughly 40% of the voters vote in a local election, with about 70% voting in the presidential election.

The people elected to the City Council are the ones setting the policies for your local community. Besides being the guardians of your tax dollars, they are the decision makers for how our roads are cared for, how our community is protected, how our parks are cared for, how we fund human services programs - the list goes on, and it’s all very important. I encourage everyone, as your ballots arrive in your mailbox, to spend the time and effort learning about the issues and candidates, and vote in our local election!

The Council’s main work item right now is the 2016 budget. I encourage you to stop by our meetings on Monday nights at 7pm, or watch the meeting online or on City TV (channel 21). We really appreciate comments from the citizens, on how their money is being spent.

Wishing you a Happy Halloween and lovely Autumn!



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On the Mayor’s Mind 9/14/15 Summer’s End & Transportation

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead
On the Mayor’s Mind
By Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead

Summer’s End and Transportation

We’re quickly approaching mid-September, and soon Autumn will officially be here. You can’t beat the weather this time of year, suitable for both sandals and boots. The end of Summer is here, officially marked by SummerSet Festival at Ronald Bog, the first regular season Seahawks game and a cozy fire on cool nights.

What I love the most about the SummerSet Festival is getting to explore a beautiful, small neighborhood park with its own body of water. The festival celebrated its 4th year, with many great attractions, like hands-on art for kids and adults, Native American music and stories, a bluegrass jam, and art at every turn. This year there were even canoe rides and floating sculptures.

I’m always impressed by the beauty of the Willow trees over the green grass and the water. I can’t help but pause to reflect on the hidden beauty of this little gem of a park, right next to I-5. And one of my favorite things about our local festivals is being able to ride my bike to the various parks. It’s great to use an alternate form of transportation, rather than jumping in the car and worrying about parking or traffic.

It made me smile to see some of our friends show up to our Seahawks party riding their bikes (and I was impressed by their riding up quite a hill to get to our house!)... and even more friends chatting about the beautiful bike rides they had taken earlier that morning.

I love living here (you know that), but not just in Shoreline, in the Northwest. Most of us want to be outside as much as we can, getting some non-deliberate exercise, spending time either in solitude or sharing the beauty with friends and family. And while there always seems to be an injury comparison of some type, there are also always stories of adventures and fun, enjoying our beautiful surroundings.

I’ve been thinking about transportation a lot, which is not unusual given the traffic issues and Council work. But lately I’ve been thinking about bicycling as a commuter option. I have a lot of admiration for people who commute by bike, especially a Shoreline to Seattle, or longer commute. I’m a regular bus rider / telecommuter to my regular job downtown. Riding my bike in traffic isn’t appealing to me, and I know that it is very doubtful I’ll ever become a regular bike commuter.

One of the things that isn’t so great about the Northwest, or specifically the Seattle area, is traffic. We all talk about it, are frustrated with it, and at some point, traffic has been responsible for making us late (or completely absent).

Even though our public transit system needs a lot of upgrades, I’m thankful for Metro and the Route 301 that gets me downtown in almost 30 minutes (depending on traffic, of course!). Even more, I’m looking forward to light rail coming to Shoreline, in just 7 or 8 years. One of the Council’s priorities is upgrading the infrastructure around the coming light rail station areas.

The roads that connect neighborhoods to the stations need to be safe for pedestrians and bicyclists, and be able to efficiently carry busses, so people can get to the light rail stations.

In fact, last week, you may have caught King 5’s televised Town Hall on “Fighting Traffic”. I had an opportunity to ask Sound Transit Board Chair Constantine and Boardmember Balducci how Sound Transit is planning to help get the riders to the stations. You can catch the segment at this link.

A few weeks ago I also testified at the Sound Transit Board Meeting, asking that high capacity transit on SR 523 (145th Street) be included in the package that will make up the ST3 ballot measure, likely to be on the ballot in November 2016. We were excited to see that project make the initial list. But there is still work to be done to keep the project on the list, and to make sure that “studies turn into action.” (I hope to see you at the Shoreline public meeting on the study of the redesign of 145th Street, at City Hall on September 30, 6 - 8pm 

I love riding my bike, but I don’t think our traffic problems will be solved by bike commuters, simply because not everyone can ride a bike, whether it is a physical, logistical, weather, or “too much stuff to carry on my bike” choice. We can only expect traffic to get better if we take steps like reducing the miles we drive, taking transit and supporting building policies that will enable people to make carless choices, like transit oriented development. Something to contemplate as we sit in our cars or on the bus, trying to get to our next destination.

I hope you enjoy the changing colors of the leaves, and the fact that our kids are going to school.

See you around Shoreline!



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On the Mayor’s Mind - Citizen Engagement

Saturday, August 22, 2015

Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead
By Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead
8.22.15

Sometimes it’s really interesting to me how much my “day job” and being on City Council are alike. At my “day job” I am a special project and event manager at a large corporate law firm in Seattle. Basically, I handle large projects that involve communication with employees, and community building employee events for about 500 people.

One of the projects I’ve been managing is the firm’s Wellness Program. We are now in our 4th year of incentivizing employees to submit to a biometric screening (blood test), spend 20-30 minutes answering questions about how they feel, and making them complete “challenges,” taking an action that is good for you - anything from getting a massage to eating breakfast on a regular basis. If you work for any type of organization that pays for employee’s medical insurance, you probably know about wellness program. While I am poking a bit of fun at this program, if you know me it will come as no surprise that I brought the program to the firm. I had participated in a wellness program when I was working for King County, and I loved it. It’s exactly the type of program that I embrace and excel in, because it involves my two favorite things, health and community.

I have to admit that when I wrote a proposal to the firm detailing how a wellness program would be good for our population (99% of whom sit at a desk and 45% of whom bill by the minute), I didn’t really expect it to be taken seriously. However that program resonated with our benefits managers who were seeing the trend of ever increasing health claims and costs. There was a true financial case to be made for a wellness program. Long story short, a wellness program was born, 4 years ago.  

I felt honored to be asked to be part of the implementation team, and it was even better to see many people as willing participants, to see folks who started making small changes in their lifestyle, and even better - to see our health premiums increase by single digit - the smallest increase in at least 10 years. Our wellness program was working!  Or was it a combination of other environmental factors? - Or even luck?

I know, you are wondering when I’m going to get to the part about my day job being strikingly similar to being a Councilmember. Hang with me, I’m almost there!

Implementation meant first to educate people about what we were doing. We knew it would take a strong and consistent effort and message to get people on board and participating, even though there were only three things to do. We took the time to explain the program, why it was moving forward, and how it would affect people - we even incentivized participation by giving a reduction in the cost of medical premiums for those who completed the three actions. And then we sent postcards, placed posters all over (even the restrooms!), we put articles in the newsletter, sent out targeted e-mails, reminding people of the deadline and encouraging them to participate. I don’t know why, over the last four years, it still surprises me when two weeks before the deadline, 30% of the people wait until they receive the “final email’ that says 9in all upper case letters0 - DEADLINE ON 8/31 TO SAVE MONEY ON HEALTH INSURANCE!  my phone rings off the hook and my in-box overflows with e-mails from people asking: “What wellness program? We have a wellness program?” “When is the deadline? What do I need to do?” It’s pretty frustrating, of course, since so much time has gone in to the communication program, but I consider it an opportunity to practice patience and kindness.

So last week I was talking with a colleague at the firm, explaining about the situation at work, how we had done so much to inform people, when I realized I was also, ironically enough, explaining the Council’s recent rezone action and the public’s reaction. After literally 4 years of council discussions (all done in public and recorded), public meetings, small committee meetings, meetings where a staff member would walk the area with interested citizens, articles in Currents and a postcard to the area surrounding the rezone area that said CHANGE IS COMING!, and large boards actually on the corridor with the information. And still, there are people who insist we did not do enough public outreach, people who claim they never knew about the process. It’s hard to understand when you know you have done so much - because it was critically important to the Council that people were informed. We practically begged for people to be engaged in the process. Just like the Wellness Program.

I don’t know if the phenomena of “skimming”, rather than comprehensively reading is because of technology, or because everyone is so busy, overloaded, over scheduled or just always going too fast. My conclusion is that it’s worth it to slow down and pay a little more attention to the things we think we don’t have time for - like mail from the City. Maybe read the entire Currents instead of just the front and back cover, or actually read what the postcard says instead of tossing it in the recycle with a mere glance. If you go too fast, you’ll miss the important stuff. I write these words not just to encourage others, but as a reminder to myself. I have learned so much by being the one writing the communication plan and hoping that people read what we spend so much time trying to get perfect. I have learned that taking the extra few seconds to make the right decision on immediately deleting or recycling is a worthy way to spend my time. Because I truly do want to be informed - don’t we all?



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On the Mayor’s Mind - 8.2.15

Saturday, August 1, 2015

Mayor Shari Winstead
By Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead

We're off and running!

Yep, it’s August and that means pretty much nonstop good times in Shoreline! On Friday night, I attended the opening night of Shoreline’s Theater Under The Stars - Aurora Theater Company’s production of Fiddler on the Roof. What a fabulous production! Truly community theater at its best - the choreography, singing, dancing, live music and acting were all superb!

Scott Francis, the man behind the theater group and director, has done a fabulous job with this old favorite. It is truly a must-see! Besides being a top-notch professional production - it’s free! Yes, that’s right. Of course there’s a suggested donation,and we hope that once people see how great this production is they will generously support the Aurora Theater Company.

You and your family should come early - the show starts at 8, and bring a picnic, or grab a to-go dinner from Jerseys,  Taqueria Guaymas or Grinders. Whether you bring chairs or sit on a blanket, it’s sure to be a night that will leave you feeling great about Shoreline’s support of the arts, one of the things that makes our City such a special place (and humming “Matchmaker”!). As a side note, Scott Francis is also a Shoreline resident. There is talent oozing out of every corner of our City!

Fiddler performances are on Friday and Saturday evenings through August 22. Free tickets can be reserved through Brown Paper Tickets. We are expecting sell out crowds at each performance, so it’s recommended that you reserve your space.

On Tuesday, 8/4, there will be over 50 block parties in Shoreline neighborhoods, celebrating National Night Out. If you don’t have one planned in your neighborhood, consider taking a walk around your block and talking to some neighbors about getting together for a block party later this summer. Knowing your neighbors and looking out for one another is the best way to prevent crime.

As well as the block parties, neighborhood associations all over Shoreline are celebrating Summer with picnics, ice cream socials and other fun events. You can check the City’s website if you don’t know which neighborhood you live in, or want to find out about your neighborhood’s summer social!

You may already be noticing the fun, decorative pianos arriving around Shoreline, and new sculptures around City Hall and on the Interurban Trail -all part of Arts Al Fresco which kicks off on August 6.

This year the annual Jazz Walk takes place on Tuesday, August 11 in North City. If you love music, food and fun, you need to do the Jazz Walk, another community driven event that makes Shoreline special.

And of course, the biggest party of all happens on Saturday, August 15 when we Celebrate Shoreline!

This year marks our 20th birthday as a City! It’s a day long festival at Cromwell Park that goes from kid-friendly, family fun to great music and a beer/wine garden in the evening. You can check out the schedule of events here. On Sunday make your way to Richmond Beach for the annual Beach to Bluff fun run, followed by the always fun sandcastle contest.

You'll be able to find me at any of these events over the next couple of weeks. It’s not only part of my job, it’s my kind of fun. I love our community and the City, and I just simply wouldn't miss the great community building that happens when people are out and about enjoying summer. I have so much gratitude for the City staff that make these events happen, and of course to the many, many volunteers.

While Celebrate Shoreline is an official City event, the other events only happen because citizens dedicated to our community give their time, treasure and talent to make things great for the rest of us. A very heartfelt thank you to everyone involved. (And if you are interested in volunteering, just contact the City for opportunities and information!)

See you in Shoreline!



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On the Mayor's Mind: Gratitude, Love and Service; Lessons Learned and Standing Tall

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Mayor Shari Winstead
By Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead 7.13.2015

Last month we lost the man that some people refer to as the Grandfather of Shoreline.

Ron Hansen was a founding councilmember and former Mayor of the City of the Shoreline, and someone we all owe a great deal of gratitude. Ron was a community leader of the best kind. His involvement in Rotary, Kiwanis, and many other organizations touched so many lives, and paved the way for the City we enjoy today.

I was grateful to attend his memorial service and learn more about his accomplishments, his love for his family and his service to our community.

I met Ron during my first campaign in 2009. I had many conversations with him, but never had the opportunity to serve with him. I was fortunate however, to watch him as a councilmember and benefit from his example of staying true to your values, and staying calm in times of turmoil.

Community service is truly something that a person does out of passion and caring for their community. It’s not easy to be in the public eye. The criticism, untruths and misunderstandings take a toll on a person’s soul. You have to really love your community to work so hard for people who don’t know you exist, or who use your work as an outlet for their anger through posting “anonymous” comments.

Ron never faltered in standing tall for our community, even when people didn't agree with him, and that is a quality that all of us should respect and admire.

We all learn many lessons through our life, some harder than others. I was having a conversation with a colleague at my day job last week, talking about a project that had become very difficult because of a third-party vendor. The term “lesson learned” was used, as we discussed the criteria we would use next time to hire a vendor for that particular piece of the project. The next day, that term was also used as we reflected on a different project that was going very well. Planning, implementation and the outcome had all gone smoothly, because of “lessons learned” from previous events. It can be a double-edged sword, but the goal is to never quit learning. Whether it’s a project at home or at work, I will always be working to do better.

What resonated the most for me was the summary of Ron’s life, lived with “gratitude, love and service.”  To me, that really sums up what it is all about. My appreciation also goes to his wife, Jan. It was said many times that “whenever you saw Ron, you knew Jan was close by”. One more example of true support and love.

As I think back on my past year and half as Mayor, and past six years on Council, I know that I have stayed true to my values, the ones that got me elected in 2009. Looking out for our entire community, past and present, is what drives my work and decisions.

You may have heard in the news last week about the “leaked” report on recommendations for changes in the City of Seattle’s housing density zoning. Many people are stunned and outraged by the recommendations of the committee. There is no doubt that our region is growing, we can't change that fact. We might even embrace it - knowing that we live in an area that has a healthy economy, high rate of employment, and many easy options to enjoy nature (and awesome weather, in my opinion, rain or shine).

The Seattle recommendations brought one thing to mind for me. We are doing it right in Shoreline. While some people may be leery or fearful of the housing density zoning changes made in March, I believe we did exactly the right thing. We focused those changes exactly where they should be, on a public transportation corridor (the light rail station area). The density will bring changes to that neighborhood, but they don't have to be negative changes. Higher density can mean that you have great block parties, know your neighbors and have an engaged community.

Zoning changes kept to one area also means that the rest of the single family neighborhoods will be preserved. It also means that housing will remain affordable because have a healthy stock. We need not worry about our home prices going down, because Shoreline continues to be more attractive, because we don't have our heads in the sand in denial of a changing world, but instead are being proactive in taking the right steps to plan for the future.

Enjoy the cooler weather - our sunny days will be back soon. I hope to see you around our city in the coming months, enjoying the concerts in the parks, celebrations and beautiful parks.



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On the Mayor’s Mind 6.27.15

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Shoreline Mayor
Shari Winstead
On the Mayor’s Mind 6.27.15
By Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead

What a world we live in!  This past week has been one of excitement, contemplation and busyness, but that’s not really unusual. With Council on break for the July 4 holiday, I’m happy to finally find a bit of quiet time to write, because there has been lots going on!

Last week, a few Councilmembers and I attended the Association of Washington Cities conference in Wenatchee. The conference was attended by over 450 councilmembers and mayors from cities in Washington. This being my sixth year on Council, it’s great to catch up with councilmembers I met years ago, who are still serving their city.

One of the things I enjoy about these conferences is hearing that many cities face the same challenges, and learning how they have dealt with these challenges. 
It’s also really great to hear that Shoreline is much better positioned financially than many other cities, who are still struggling from the “great recession”. 
Our strong financial position comes from great planning, finding efficiencies and making the appropriate cuts at the right times.  

One item that I know is of interest to many of us, and that I heard a lot about, is how cities are growing - from dealing with the legalities of the Growth Management Act to creating a vibrant downtown. It’s great to hear from cities who share these challenges and learn from their lessons of success. Of course every city is a bit different, but the courses and conversations at the conference are really helpful as we make policy decisions about the growth of Shoreline, and many other issues.

It is also very flattering to have other city leaders ask us for advice, because we have gained a reputation for doing things right in Shoreline!

Though the conference was just three days, I listened to many great speakers on topics such as creating a “main street” (a vibrant downtown area), supporting entrepreneurs, and leading cities through crisis (disasters). I also learned 60 of the best local government ideas in 60 minutes, toured a marijuana grow operation (talk about a tough way to make money - it’s harder and not as profitable as you think!).  Councilmenber McGlashan and I also took a historical walking tour of Wenatchee (in 99 degree heat!). 

Our very own Councilmember Will Hall gave a great presentation on “Everyday local actions to improve water quality.”

Councilmember Hall also serves on the Board of Directors for the Association of Washington Cities. Having our Councilmembers serve in these key leadership positions helps to keep Shoreline well positioned to keep Washington cities strong, and is another example of the dedication of your Shoreline Councilmembers.

Prior to that busy week, the Council discussed the future of the Shoreline community pool. The pool was originally built in 1971 with “Forward Thrust” bonds, and is about at the end of its life. Last year we had an emergency (and very costly) replacement of the boiler. We know that the pool is used by many of our community members, whether it’s water aerobics, lap swimming, swimming lessons for the little kids or swim team and water polo for the high schoolers.

Council agreed that the pool is an important part of the community and directed staff to make the necessary improvements to extend the life of the pool another eight years or so.

In the next few years we will likely start discussions about a possible community center and the fate of the pool. So stay engaged! Read your Currents and visit the City’s website. We do our best to communicate in our effort to keep people engaged. Because it’s your Shoreline!

The other changes in our country over the past few days have been exciting. Seeing the confederate flag come down, the pride flag go up, and the validation of universal healthcare. It definitely gives you hope that our Country is progressing.

While change can be hard, the old way is not always the right way. I believe that change, done right (like creating housing density around accessible public transportation) is a good thing.

I hope you are enjoying your summer at one of our fabulous parks or Richmond Beach, and that you find some time to stop by the fabulous Shoreline Arts Festival!



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On the Mayor's Mind: the State of the City

Sunday, June 7, 2015

Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead
On the Mayor's Mind 6.7.15
By Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead

On Wednesday, June 3, the City held its annual State of the City address.

2015 is a special year as Shoreline celebrates its 20th birthday. It’s really been interesting to look back 20 years and understand what motivated citizens to have Shoreline incorporated as a city all its own.

We already had our own school district that we took great pride in (and still do!) For the most part, Shoreline was always considered part of Seattle, even though we have never formally been part of Seattle (even though we do still share a zip code). 

But when you are just a corner of the most populous county in Washington, you can be a little neglected. Roads, parks, and our stormwater systems needed work. Our lack of sidewalks is still a holdover from those days (and, yes, I agree we need more, and we continue to work on making that happen!)

The campaign to incorporate Shoreline was driven on the idea of local control - and a say in how our City would be maintained and improved. In September 1994, Shoreline residents voted to incorporate with the goal of having the community’s future reflect Shoreline community values. Shoreline officially went from being an unincorporated corner of Washington’s most populous county to its own city on August 31, 1995.

I had moved to Shoreline a few years before our incorporation and remember coming across the celebration in the Sears parking lot. It seems almost serendipitous that the year of our 20th anniversary, we will be moving our (awesome) Farmers Market back to that parking lot, with the intention of bringing people and energy to a place we have designated as a Community Renewal Area.

We are starting to see changes in that area as Potala Place starts construction this month, and will soon be removing the old buildings (see story) that have hampered that section of Shoreline and Aurora Avenue N for a few years. It’s sure to be a change for the better, bringing multi-family housing to a corridor served by transit, and also providing convenient housing for Shoreline Community College students.

I wasn't involved in the initial incorporation of Shoreline, but I was the Co-Chair of the 2006 Parks, Trails and Open Space bond, the first one ever put on the ballot in Shoreline. The bond measure passed with over 70% of voters saying YES to an $18 million bond to improve and rebuild our tired and worn-out parks, create new walking trails and purchase valuable open space. It was an ambitious effort by many Shoreline citizens, who once again rolled up their sleeves and worked really hard to educate others on why it was so important that we passed this parks bond measure.

It’s been an absolute delight to see the projects funded in the parks bond come to fruition - the off-leash area at Shoreview Park (one of the busiest parks in the City!), major renovations to Richmond Beach Saltwater Park, the purchase of the South Woods property near Shorecrest, and the total overhaul of Cromwell Park, now the site of our annual Celebrate Shoreline party, as well as many other great projects.

Our State of the City address highlighted many important things in the history of Shoreline, and I hope you will take a minute to watch the video (scroll down to “other media”).

Gail and Blair Buchanan, Mayor Shari Winstead,
Ebony Harrison, Luis Vicencio and Sammy Kangala.
Photo courtesy City of Shoreline

The portion of the State of the City address that I enjoyed the most was hearing from several youth in our community who have participated in Shoreline recreation programs. One person now works for the City, one volunteers for the City and the others have inspiring stories about how their experience in Shoreline recreation programs positively affected their lives.

If you only have a few minutes to spare, I encourage you to watch and listen to the stories of these folks (about 15 minutes into the video). Local control of our tax dollars means investing in our youth with programs like these. Personally, I think investing in our youth is one of the most important ways to spend our tax dollars. 

I hope to see you out and about in Shoreline this summer!

Shari


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On the Mayor's Mind 5.17.15 - a busy spring

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead
On the Mayor’s Mind
5.17.15

It’s been a busy Spring around my house. What started as an idea of changing a few rooms around ended up being a pretty significant “facelift” on the main room of our house. I’m happy to say that after a few intense weeks of painting, buying and moving furniture, and my favorite project, re-facing our fireplace, we are done, and enjoying our “new” old house!

A couple of years ago we created a lovely outdoor space, and it feels fabulous to have the inside as comfy as the outside. We now consider ourselves true DIYers! The list of house projects continues to grow, next time it might actually include tearing out some cabinets – but we'll see about that! It is a really good feeling to do the work yourself, and it saves you a bundle.

Spending many hours painting is a good time for reflection.

It’s hard to believe that last year at this time my son and daughter-in-law were announcing their pregnancy – and now I have an amazing five-month-old grandson, Cameron. Watching our family grow brings me more happiness than I could have ever imagined. I continue to find immense joy in spending time with my family and ever growing circle of friends. No one can replace your old friends who have been with you through thick and thin, but it sure is fun to meet new people and create new friendships.

I would be remiss to not mention the work the Council has done this year. It’s been a tough year, but it’s been a good year. Despite some varying opinions, and hours of reflection, I wouldn't have done anything different, and I continue to stand by the work we have done. I continue to look forward to summertime in Shoreline, especially celebrating the 20 year anniversary of Shoreline’s incorporation at Celebrate Shoreline, on August 15!

And with that I will wish you a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.  I hope you will be able to spend time doing things or with people that make you smile. Let us also take a moment to remember those who gave their lives while serving in the armed forces, the reason for Memorial Day.

See you around Shoreline!



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On the Mayor's Mind: City Council elections

Sunday, May 3, 2015

Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead
On the Mayor’s Mind
5.4.15 - City Council elections
By Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead

You can almost taste summer in the air. This first weekend of May has been beautiful, and I’m feeling rejuvenated from time off spent with family and friends.

I am excitedly anticipating the many fun Shoreline summer activities, kicking off this weekend with the Strawberry Festival in Richmond Beach.

It’s just the beginning – I hope you'll keep an eye on the City’s website, Currents and hopefully you're getting Alert Shoreline to keep up to date on the City’s activities.

Since 2009, when I first ran for City Council, May has come to mean something else for me, too: the filing deadline for candidates for City Council elections. With three Councilmembers up for election this year, and four new people having already filed for candidacy, it will no doubt be an interesting year for elections. The filing deadline is May 15, 2015.

In all honesty, I don't look forward to seeing our beautiful City overrun with campaign signs. We all know it’s part of the process and we've come to expect it. Interestingly though, campaign professionals say the signs don't actually make a difference. Maybe that’s true, but I have yet to know a candidate who wants to take that chance.

So this is what’s on my mind – Council elections. I sincerely hope that all the candidates will run clean, positive campaigns, focusing on their positive ideas and traits, rather than negative (and even untrue thoughts) about their opposition. A campaign is good training ground for what a candidate can expect if they become elected. It’s most people’s first experience at a “job interview with the public”. If elected, you then receive a performance evaluation by the public, on sometimes a weekly basis, and, most certainly you will find out how people feel about your work if you run for re-election.

The year of a re-election campaign can be very tough. Most people will say that re-election is easier for an incumbent, but I believe it is actually much tougher. Sure, the incumbent might have name recognition, but they also have a record of prior work experience. An incumbent will also likely be judged not just on their votes, or comments, but they are also held responsible for actions the Council takes that the incumbent may have, in fact, voted against. Sometimes it is the job of an elected official to make decisions that are not popular, or easily understood. Yet a true civic servant will make decisions based on the needs of the greater good, there just isn't anyway you can please everyone. In fact, if you are pleasing everyone, you probably aren't doing a good job.

What an incumbent knows that a new candidate doesn't is the background of decisions and issues. We don't just go to a meeting hear a report, and vote. We spend many hours reading, reviewing, analyzing, researching and discussing issues before there is a vote. A candidate who has not served can easily make promises about what they think (or hope) they can accomplish (e.g., I’ll put in sidewalks on every street! Or “I'll stop that development”). Don't be fooled, it’s not that simple.

Instead, when you are trying to decide whom to vote for, really spend some time getting to know the candidates. Look at more than whether they are a Republican or a Democrat; or live on the east side or west side. Spend the time to dig a little deeper and learn what the candidate’s core values are. What is their perspective, and why? Do they care about the environment? Affordable housing? Taking care of society – our kids and our elders? Are they a supporter of our wonderful parks? In my view, the selection of a candidate should not be about a single issue, but about their background, perspective and core values.

My Council term does not end until 2017, so my only involvement this year will be watching it unfold. There will be plenty of opportunities to meet candidates, and current Councilmembers running for re-election, and I hope you will take the time to do so. Attend a candidate forum, or even reach out directly and have coffee with the candidates. It will be well worth your time to get to know the person you decide to vote for.

See you in Shoreline!



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On the Mayor's Mind: time off

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Monday, April 27, 2015

Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead is taking some time off to spend with her family and rejuvenate. She will be back next week.



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On the Mayor's Mind 4-13-15 Why Shoreline is special

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead
On the Mayor’s Mind
4.13.15 - Why Shoreline is Special
By Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead

In the recent months I've heard a lot of different opinions about Shoreline. Some people think our City is almost perfect, they don't want any change (or very little change); others see it as “boresville”; and still others ask, “where is the downtown of Shoreline, where is the action?”  

As an almost 20-year old city, we are a city in transition. Many good plans have been thought out and laid out. But big things take time. How our City will look in 20 or 50 years is yet to be seen. As many of us have probably experienced in our lives, sometimes the best laid plans don't work out. But still, we try. The difference here is that there are so many different ideas. For instance, the idea of a “downtown”. To most people that means one central place, for instance something like Lake Forest Park’s Town Center. While there are many advantages to having one action hub, I am just not sure that Shoreline has the layout that is really right for that type of “downtown”.  

Instead, we have 13 different neighborhoods - all with their own characteristics. When I first ran for Council in 2009, one of the things I heard over and over from folks was how they wanted a walkable community. They wanted to walk out their door and go for a short stroll to a coffee shop or local market or café.  Fewer cars and more feet. Personally, I love that idea because I believe it fosters a community feel. However, I'm not sure that it is exclusive from a true downtown.

The Council continues to work on developing a “town center” at the area designated as Shoreline’s town center between 175th and about 185th, a block or so east and west of Aurora Avenue.The City zoned it as “Town Center”, but now it is up to developers to make it happen. We can provide the zoning and permitting, but that is the extent of the City’s influence. The same goes with the recent rezone of the light rail station area at 185th. The tools are in place, but rebuilding at a higher density is really up to residents (to decide to sell) and developers (to decide to buy and rebuild). 

What I think really makes Shoreline special is the people. Whether you are an activist or a quiet resident, or one of our many, many great volunteers, it is because of you that Shoreline is unique.

This week we will celebrate our volunteers at the City’s annual Volunteer Appreciation Soiree. It’s open to the public and of course to all volunteers, on Tuesday, April 15 from 5:30- 7pm.

Our volunteers allow the city to provide many quality and unique services. Often our volunteers are experts in the field they volunteer in, like the former dancer who helps with the youth ballet classes, or folks interested in having a certain activity or program, like the neighbor leading the Shoreline Walks program. We have dozens of people who do many great things, in fact, too many to list here.

But I can tell you that in 2014, the recorded volunteer hours totaled 12,834 hours. Using the Washington value of each donated hour, the monetary value of this donated time is equivalent to $342,924. Pretty impressive! Even more important than the dollar amount though, is the impact on the quality of life here in Shoreline. Our volunteers are what makes Shoreline a great community.

So next time you run into that neighbor who organized your block watch, or that you see at your community party, or that you know is a volunteer, consider taking a moment to thank them for helping to make Shoreline a great community.

Thanks to all of you who make Shoreline such a great place, and to the City Staff members who put all the statistics together, and support our volunteers.



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On the Mayor's Mind - staying informed

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Shari Winstead, Mayor
City of Shoreline
On the Mayor’s Mind
4.6.15 - Staying Informed
By Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead

Sometime during the weekend I make time to go through the stack of paper mail that has accumulated through the week. On an (almost) daily basis I pick up and sort my snail-mail, most goes in the recycle container, bills go to my desk, and the “other” lands in a stack on the counter.

With the tons of email most of us read through everyday, it’s sometimes tempting to toss it all (except the bills!) in the recycling, but it’s always worth the time it takes to read through the “other” mail, especially mail from the City - postcards, newsletters, etc. It’s a great way to stay informed.

It’s probably not a surprise that going through the stack of “other” mail is actually one of my favorite things to do on Saturday morning. This week’s items included both my neighborhood newsletter and the City’s Currents.  

Even though I am the Mayor, I don't review these newsletters before they hit the press, so I'm always curious to see what news and events we are highlighting for our citizens. Even in this age of technology, our surveys tell us that Currents is the only way some people get City news.

I’ve been especially enjoying the 2015 issues, as we celebrate Shoreline’s 20th birthday. Each month Currents is taking a look back and highlighting a department or program. I hope you'll take a moment to read through your Currents to learn about the past and the present, and join us on August 15 for our 20th birthday party at Celebrate Shoreline. The celebration will be bigger than ever and take place at Cromwell Park from 10am - 9pm. Keep your eyes on your inbox (e-mail and snail-mail) for more information. There’s a lot to celebrate and I hope you’ll be part of the party!

This month’s Currents also gives an update on the Aurora Avenue project - the work has finally switched to the east side - we are moving right along, with completion expected at the end of this year (we are making plans for that celebration in December.  I hope you’ll be there!) Your continued patience, patronization of Aurora Avenue businesses, and of course cautiousness, are appreciated while construction continues.

In case you missed the announcement, heads up that the Shoreline Farmers Market is moving! With three years under their belt, there’s been a lot of work to figure out how to make the Market more accessible and successful. The decision was made to move the Farmers Market to the parking lot of Aurora Square, adjacent to Central Market and Sears. The Market has a new manager and we are expecting this to be the best year yet.

Opening day is Saturday, June 20, from 10am-3pm. I hope you’ll be there, or stop by on any Saturday through October 3. The Market is also looking for volunteers, including folks to serve on the citizen’s advisory committee. If you're interested you can find more information on the City’s website.

And speaking of the City’s website, mark it as a favorite on your computer and consider checking it out once a week, maybe when you are on the bus or taking a coffee break. There’s always a plethora of valuable information.

You can also sign up to get text and e-mails of important announcements through Alert Shoreline. I think you will find that your experience as a Shoreline citizen will be richer if you are informed and educated. Currents, Alert Shoreline and our website are just a few of the ways you can do so.  

Happy Spring!


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On the Mayor's Mind: Spring

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Mayor Shari Winstead
On the Mayor’s Mind
3.23.15
By Shoreline Mayor Shari Winstead

It is with great delight that I welcome Spring and daylight savings time. Although it is somewhat challenging to recover from the missed slumber, the extra daylight at the end of the day seem well worth it. It feels like I almost have two days in one, more time to walk my dog after work, or to catch up on those household projects.

Echo Lake Park opening

It’s been a great first weekend of Spring. On Saturday we officially reopened Echo Lake Park, after over a year of renovations. Through the Crime Prevention through Environmental Design program, the park is now safer – modified plantings give way to open views of the park, especially for Ashworth and 200th.

The restroom has been renovated, there are more picnic tables, and fencing along the interurban trail and the wetland areas create a separation between trail users, park users, beach goers and also protect the native habitat at the lake’s edge. There is also an accessible route, and easy walking grades to the lake.

New to the park are a loop path and play area for families. There’s even a turtle for kids to climb on, named Barbara Jeanne! I drove past the park today and was excited to see quite a few families out enjoying the park. (see article)

Art Kruckeberg's 95th birthday!

I was honored to attend Art Kruckeberg’s 95th birthday party on Saturday afternoon. Dr. Kruckeberg is the founder of the Kruckeberg Botanical Garden, a very special place in Shoreline. If you haven’t checked out the garden, now is the perfect time! Their website lists all the upcoming great activities for kids and adults.

New Recreation Guide

There is never a shortage of great activities in Shoreline. The best thing to hit my inbox and mailbox last week was the City’s Spring/Summer Recreation Guide. It’s no longer a pamphlet, but more like a magazine! No matter what you are interested in, I bet you will find something you want to try. I've marked several items that sound like great fun – everything from a one-day hike on the Pacific Crest Trail to Pilates classes. You will find fun activities for everyone from 18 mos. old and up!

I'm especially excited to end the first weekend of Spring with a “Sound Bath” at Richmond Beach Yoga. Taking a bit of time to meditate, relax and absorb good energy while listening to the meditative sounds of Himalayan Singing Bowls and Native American Flutes is the perfect way to prepare for the week ahead.

I hope Spring brings you a sense of renewal and happiness.



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On the Mayor’s Mind - 3.8.15

Sunday, March 8, 2015

Mayor Shari Winstead
By Mayor Shari Winstead

Public Comment

Over the last six weeks, I have heard and seen more public comment than in the previous 5+ years I have served on the City Council, most around the rezone of the light rail station areas. 

I truly appreciate people taking the time to come out and make their comments in public at our weekly meetings. As well, I appreciate the time it takes to sit down and write an e-mail - we receive hundreds, and they are given just as much credence as in-person testimony. The in-person public comment forum can be a bit awkward.

I know that public speaking is uncomfortable for a lot of people, and while it is the public’s opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions with the Council, it’s not a conversation, which can make it unfulfilling to both the speaker and the Council. Many times people will pose a question, but this forum does not give us the opportunity to directly provide a detailed answer.

One good thing about e-mails and letters is that we then have an opportunity to provide a thorough response. Rest assured that if public speaking isn't your thing, you are still being heard by submitting a written comment, as they are always read and considered.

One thing I have observed about myself during public comment. I don't react well when people yell at me, call me names, make allegations, or are degrading and disrespectful.

In fact, it’s hard to actually hear the point someone is trying to make when they are speaking this way. Feeling defensive and shutting down is a natural response to this type of treatment.

It’s no secret to me (or anyone who knows me) that I don't have a good poker face.

Frankly, I'm just not good at hiding my emotions. Some people consider that characteristic a quality. But still, I've been trying for most of my life to suppress the occasional eye roll or heavy sigh, but hey, I’m not perfect, and yep, I am human. In my 51 years I have grown to appreciate my imperfections, and to soften my (very strong) inner critic. I do my best to honor others and treat them respectfully.

The Shoreline City Council is one of the best examples of a collaborative, independent, respectful body of elected officials.

Analyses of the votes on the many amendments offered on the 185th rezone are evidence that there really isn't a faction or group think.

The different backgrounds, perspectives and personalities on the Council are why I am confident that our work fairly represents the citizens of Shoreline – all 53,000+ of them.

A very vocal minority is not necessarily the true representation of the City. And when I disagree with my colleagues on the Council, I still treat them respectfully and thank them for their work at the end of the night.

My love for our community and my desire to see Shoreline become a vibrant, community oriented City with great services and businesses are why I chose to run for City Council in 2009. Those are still my foundational principles and why I continue to do this job.

One last thought about public comment.

I truly appreciate those people who come and share their opinion and feelings about an issue. I strongly encourage folks to do this in a focused, respectful manner, so that we can hear you.


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