Dave Orvis has announced he will run for re-election to the Edmonds City Council.
“Not only do I face re-election, but I may be working with my fellow citizens to fight an expanded gambling initiative in Edmonds this fall,” Orvis said.
During his first year office, Orvis formed an organization called “Stop Casinos in Edmonds,” a group which gathered 4,500 signatures for an initiative petition to ban card rooms. As a result of the petition, the city council passed the ban in September, 2000.
A pending public hearing and potentially a ballot item may reconsider the ban. Nevertheless, Orvis is confident, saying, “I was out there going door to door gathering signatures, and I know how Edmonds feels about casinos in their town.”
Orvis reaffirmed his commitment to the goals he outlined in his first campaign, low taxes, quality public safety and policies protecting neighborhoods and funding infrastructure improvements.
Last year, Orvis voted against an above-inflation property tax increase despite a tight budget. “We must remember, the city isn’t the only one having a tough time out there,” he said.
Orvis said he also voted against cuts to frontline police and fire positions in last year’s budget.
Orvis said he supported two resolutions opposing the siting of the Brightwater sewer treatment plant in Edmonds and has voted to create an Edmonds Historic Commission to help preserve the charm and character of downtown.
Orvis also said he has voted for funding measures to catch up on the city’s street program and has funded programs to improve the safety of city arterial streets. “We were only putting $75,000 dollars into our street fund when I took office, now we are putting in over five times the amount,” he said.
Orvis graduated from the University of Washington with a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering and now works as a software engineer. He lives with his wife, Martha, and their son, Shayne, in their home in Edmonds.
Orvis’ father, Jim Orvis, is an active member of the Washington Tea Party and a candidate for the port commission.
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