UPDATE: In Their Own Words: Meet Lake Forest Park City Council Position No. 6 Challenger Tom French

Editor's note: French's response to the question about previous campaigns has been amended to reflect his previous runs for City Council. French said he originally interpreted the question to mean running for other offices other than Council.

CANDIDATE PROFILE INFORMATION:

What is your full, legal name?

Thomas W. French

Where do you work and what is your job title?

Self employed- Strategic Management Consultant (in the technology sector) and author

When and Where Were You Born?

Seattle, 1967

Where do you live now and  how long have you lived there?

Lake Forest Park since 1969

Spouse or domestic partner if any:

Katherine Kayler

Children:

An 80-pound blonde Golden Retriever

Education (include graduation date(s), if any):
Bachelor of Arts, Eckerd College, 1991

Military Service (include year(s) of discharge, if any):

None

Memberships and affiliations with clubs and other organizations:

Lake Forest Park Rotary

Have you or a business you owned (or had principal interest in) ever filed bankruptcy?

No

As an adult, have you been convicted or charged with a crime other than a minor traffic violation?

No

CAMPAIGN INFORMATION:

Web site: WWW.ELECTTOMFRENCH.COM

Email address: electtom@comcast.net
Phone number: (206) 898-8783
Campaign manager: Brian Berry, Katherine Kayler
Campaign manager contact information: electtom@comcast.net

PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE(S):

Elected: None.


Other campaigns for public office: 
Lake Forest Park City Council, 2005 and 2009.

THIS CAMPAIGN:

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

I love our community and have resided here for more than four decades. I am running for office to bring back accountability and an open dialogue between the city government and the citizens of Lake Forest Park. Our city government should be open, engaging and transparent. Most importantly, the City should be responsible with the taxpayers' hard-earned dollars.

I will always listen to the priorities of the citizens of Lake Forest Park.

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

1. Preserving critical city services without raising taxes. As a business leader, I am committed to increased efficiencies in our government andpreserving critical city services without raising taxes.

2. Listening to the priorities of the citizens. I bring a financially responsible and pragmatic approach to the city council in order to ensure the security of the city's financial future. Our city government can do a better job of representing  the priorities it's citizens. 

3.  Protecting and preserving an affordable community.  I believe in protecting the character of our neighborhoods, maintaining our sense of community and preserving our city for future generations as one where families  and seniors can afford to live.

What sets you apart from the other candidates and/or previous office holders?

Difficult times require difficult decisions.  As someone with more than four decades residing of this community and who has sat on multiple financial and planning committees, I will bring a unique perspective to the council. I have consistently advocated for a transparent, collaborative Lake Forest Park City Government. It is time that city hall listens to the priorities of its citizens and lives within its means while preserving essential services.

As a member of the Task Force on the City's Financial Future, I advocated for increased efficiencies and responsible use of tax dollars, not increases in taxation. As a member of the Burke Gilman Citizen's Group, and as an individual, I helped preserve  our natural environment and the character of our community through demanding that the County remove far fewer trees and preserve existing vegetation.

I am committed to preserving the character and environment of our city while living within our means.

How much money do you expect your campaign to spend on this election?

A small, but necessary amount to get the message out that it is time for a change at City Hall.

What groups or individuals are your major endorsers?

LFP Gov Watch