Elected position sought: Monroe City Council, Position 2
Name: Penny Sopris-Kegerreis
Age: Not listed.
Occupation: Retired columnist and staff writer
Political experience: Incumbent council member
Work experience: Twenty years of top administrative responsibility in the Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Washington has provided extensive experience in budget preparation, financial leadership, personnel management and public relations. Ten years experience as executive director of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce has made me aware of local business concerns. As a Monroe Monitor/Valley News employee for 10 years, I’ve come to know the community.
Personal experience: Past service on the truancy board for the Monroe School District makes me aware of young people’s needs; former board member of the East County Senior Center I am aware of issues important to seniors. As a member of the planning committee of the East County Health and Safety Network, I understand important health and safety issues.
Top 3 issues and your stances on them: 1. Open, friendly government. 2. Growth must not be allowed to outdistance our ability to provide all necessary services. 3. Traffic requires studied solutions to be implemented immediately.
Why voters should pick me: There must be no tolerance for “divisional government.” Many critical decisions are pending – decisions the “whole” community will live with for years to come. These decisions must be based on “What’s Right,” never on “Who’s Right.”
Fun fact: Breeding, showing, parading, selling and shipping venerable spotted donkeys at our former ranch in the Maltby area.
Elected position sought: Monroe City Council – Position at large
Name: Verna Korslund
Age: 51
Verna Korslund |
Occupation: Homemaker
Political experience: Volunteer for a state campaign race
Work experience: Assisting husband in the operation of construction business
Personal experience: Leadership position in local church; attendance of Monroe City Council meetings on a regular basis for two years
Top 3 issues: 1. Growth needs to be at a manageable pace with infrastructure and schools in place to accommodate the people and increased traffic. 2. Traffic is one of the biggest challenges. I will commit to pursue a solution by working with state and county officials. 3. It is of great importance to serve the city with honesty and integrity as well as to be available to listen to the concerns of citizens
Why voters should pick me: My husband and I have lived in Monroe for 31 years and raised two children who graduated from Monroe High School. Our roots run deep; we care about Monroe and its future. I will bring a fresh approach to solving the challenges Monroe faces.
Fun fact: Recently went on a two-month trip to Kenya.
Elected position sought: Monroe City council, at-large position
Name: William “BC” Craig
Age: 50
William Craig |
Occupation: Small business owner – Cottage Book Exchange in Monroe; school bus driver, Monroe School District; U.S. Coast Guard (retired).
Political experience: Regular voter
Work experience: Supervisory positions in U.S. Coast Guard, ranging from personnel officer to commanding officer.
Personal experience: Life
Top 3 issues: 1. Growth: Efforts must be expended to guide growth that will maintain the feeling of small town America that the city enjoys. 2. Open city government: City business should always be conducted in the open, seeking input from the citizenry. 3. Service: The city should be striving for ways to make it easier for citizens to wade through the quagmire of regulations when dealing with government.
Why voters should pick me: Monroe is the first place where I’ve had the opportunity to set down roots, and has become my hometown. As Monroe continues to grow, I want to work toward ensuring it remains a friendly town.
Elected position sought: Monroe City Council, Position at large
Name: Bruce Hansen
Age: 50
Bruce Hansen |
Occupation: Account manager, exporting firm
Political experience: A founding member of both Monroe Citizens for Responsible Growth and Sky Valley Community Forum, organizations formed to promote and work toward maintaining and enhancing the quality of life in and around Monroe. Also instrumental in acquiring the power of initiative and referendum for the citizens of Monroe, a power not available to residents before 1997. I have worked on the campaigns of many candidates, locally and at the county level.
Top 3 issues: 1. Growth. 2. Planning. 3. Good government. This community has seen explosive growth in the last 10 years. It can and should be managed. This takes careful planning. I think we have begun to turn the corner toward being more open, responsive and responsible. I would like to make sure that this attitude becomes the standard.
Why voters should pick me: Having worked in the trenches for many years, I believe I am uniquely qualified to help guide this city into a future of managed growth: careful, reasoned planning for traffic, water capacity, sewer capacity, fire and police protection, schools, open space, recreational facilities and businesses.
Name: Jim Hunnicutt
Age: 63
Occupation: retired
Political experience: 14 years as a Monroe council member, two years as mayor pro-tem.
Work experience: 30 years as an employee of the Snohomish County Public Works Department, 10 years as a member of the Joint Monroe Fire Board, two years as alternate member of the Snohomish Community Transit Board.
Personal experience: I have been involved with businesses, citizens and students to help raise funds for scholarship programs and have been involved with youth athletic organizations.
Top 3 issues: 1. Open government: Any city business outside of executive sessions should be conducted within the parameters of our council meetings. 2. Honest, forthright communications: It’s key to achieving all successful endeavors. 3. Responsiveness to citizens: As elective officials, we must be responsive to the needs and questions of our citizens.
Why voters should pick me: I have 14 years of experience on the council and 10 years on the Monroe Joint Fire Board. My wife, Dolly, and I have been residents of the community for more than 40 years and have been active supporters of the school district athletic and scholastic programs.
Fun fact: Hunting, fishing and golfing.
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