In Their Own Words: Meet Shoreline City Council Position No. 4 Challenger Janet Way

CANDIDATE PROFILE INFORMATION:

What is your full, legal name?            

Janet Way

Where do you work and what is your job title?            

Appel Farms Artisan Cheese, Marketing Representative at Seattle Farmers Markets

When and Where Were You Born? 

1950, Newark, New Jersey

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

Shoreline, 23 years

Spouse or domestic partner if any:

Alan Worthington

Children:  

2

Education (include graduation date(s), if any):            

Bachelor of Science degree (1972) from Moore College of Art, Philadelphia

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

Memberships and affiliations with clubs and other organizations:

Founding member of:

• Shoreline Preservation Society

• Paramount Park Neighborhood Group,

• Thornton Creek Legal Defense Fund (which advocated for and succeeded in “daylighting” Thornton Creek at Northgate)

• South Woods Preservation Group,

• Lake Ballinger Forum (and City Representative),

• Shoreline’s Community Backyard Wildlife Project,

• Shoreline Green Business Program and other efforts.

She also serves on the Advisory Board of Friends of Fircrest, and is a Member and supporter of Kruckeberg Botanical Garden, Seattle Audubon, Sierra Club,

Shoreline Chamber of Commerce, and Shoreline Solar Project.

• WRIA 8 Committee 2006-09 (Salmon Recovery Council) 

• Shoreline Parks Board 1999-2001 

• Northgate Stakeholders Committee – 2004-09

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:             http://janetway4shoreline.com/
Email address:             janetway@yahoo.com
Phone number:                         206.734.5545
Campaign manager:             Angela Henry
Campaign manager contact information:             janet4shoreline_manager@yahoo.com, 206-545-7804

PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE(S):

Elected: Shoreline City Council from 2005-09

Other campaigns for public office:            

Shoreline City Council 2003 and 2009

THIS CAMPAIGN:

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

 I am running for Shoreline City Council to help implement policies that will re-emphasize both Environmental and Economic Sustainability as a goal for our city. When I served on the council: “Create an environmentally sustainable city” was a council goal for 4 years because of my advocacy. We made great strides in that direction.  I believe, promoting Shoreline as a “Green City” will be the key to future business and economic prosperity and value for our citizens. I believe Shoreline can do much better.

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

• Re-emphasize and champion Environmental Sustainability because:

On the City Council I championed making Sustainability a Council Goal. The City and Community together crafted a “Sustainability Strategy” that became an underlying document for all the City’s activities. It is still in effect, but unfortunately the current council dropped this theme and Council Goal, even though there is more work to be done to fulfill this goal. Because of this sustainability focus, we succeeded in passing the 2006 Open Space and Parks Bond by over 70%, which led to many new improvements including creation of 4 new parks and many stormwater improvements and improved recreational facilities. We also built a LEED Gold certified new City Hall with Solar Panels and Green Roof. And we created four new parks, one of which was Southwoods, preserving nearly 16 acres of urban forest. We should promote transportation choices such as safe bike and pedestrian pathways and sidewalks.

 • Re-emphasize Economic Sustainability because:

My connections to the small business community are strong, and my ability to work with them to bring fairness and the value of sustainability will be an asset. This became clear in my proposal for a “Flexible Plan” for Aurora Phase II which brought together, environmental advocates, small business and neighborhoods for a unanimous agreement. A truly Sustainable City will provide environmental policies which will save money in the long run and provide economic viability with a business community that can provide a fair tax base for the programs needed to operate a city of 53,000, the 17th largest in the state.

• Leadership for Investment in policies that promote Family-wage jobs, especially for small businesses because:

Shoreline must increase communication and cooperation with all segments of our business community, unions, neighborhoods, school district, King County and other government partners to expand our job base and improve the business climate. This means working with small business, non-profit and neighborhoods to make certain that decisions that affect these groups are made by working together.

The Council can set the tone for this discussion and also work together in collaborative ways to continue improvements in communication. This means improving and encouraging public comment opportunities and inviting stakeholders into productive discussions.  

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

What sets me apart from my opponent and other elected officials is that I believe in listening to the people, working hard for innovative ideas and doing the homework and showing up for required meetings. I believe in proposing ideas and legislation to support what Shoreline needs. I also believe in standing up for “places that matter” and the voiceless. I believe it is our responsibility to do even better, and help our citizens succeed in weathering this economic climate and helping our families thrive.

 • Proposed the “Flexible Plan” for Phase II of Aurora Project which helped bring together businesses and community for unanimous support for the project. After nearly a decade of a deep division within our neighborhoods and the business community, this plan helped bring together businesses and community for unanimous support for the project. It became known as the “Flexible Hybrid Alternative” and became the ticket for success in moving the project forward, including attracting multimodal, environmental, and transportation funds.

This project has created many jobs and investment to our community at a time when jobs are scarce in this economy.

 • Our City is “Shoreline” which has a special responsibility because of our adjacency to Puget Sound.  On the City Council I championed making Sustainability a Council Goal. The City and Community together crafted a “Sustainability Strategy” that became an underlying document for all the City’s activities. It is still in effect, but unfortunately the current council dropped this theme and Council Goal, even though there is more work to be done to fulfill this goal, particularly for protecting Puget Sound. But, because of this sustainability focus, we succeeded in passing the 2006 Open Space and Parks Bond by over 70%, which led to many new improvements including creation of 4 new parks and many stormwater improvements. We also built a LEED Gold certified new City Hall with Solar Panels and Green Roof. And we created four new parks, one of which was Southwoods, preserving nearly 16 acres of urban forest.

 • I championed the Daylighting of Thornton Creek at Northgate and followed through with a many-tiered strategy to garner community, government and developers support for the final outcome. It is now completed and providing jobs, clean water, housing and wildlife habitat to a formerly barren asphalt parking lot. It is an award-winning LEED Certified project that has become a model for the new urban centers needed to prevent sprawl and promote pedestrian-friendly, transportation-oriented development. 

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

$20,000

What groups or individuals are your major endorsers?

• 32nd District Democrats
• King County Democrats
• Martin Luther King County Labor Council

• ATU 587  COPE (Amalgamated Transitworkers Union)
• AFSCME 341 (Fircrest)
• WFSE Local 341
• State Senator Maralyn Chase
• State Representative Cindy Ryu and Cody Ryu
• State Representative Luis Moscoso 
• Former State Representative Nancy Rust
• Edmonds City Councilmember Adrienne Fraley-Monillas
• KC Assessor Lloyd Hara and Liz Paterson
• Shoreline Planning Commissioner John Behrens
• Shoreline Parks Boardmember Boni Biery
• Former Shoreline School Board Director Dan Mann
• Jim Hardman
• Jean Thomas
• Maryn Wynne
• Larry Owens
• Richard Wells
• Dorothy King
• Bob Trutnau
• Stephanie Harris
• Wendy DiPeso
• Ruth Williams
• Suzanne Pardee
• Drs Elaine and Robert Phelps
• Bettelinn and Charlie Brown
• Corey Murata
• Michael Oxman
• Maureen Durkan
• Kelly Dole
• Peter Henry
• Toni Potter
• Saskia Davis
• Neil Safrin
• Linda Stein
• Judy Griesel
• Pat Sumption
• Sue Melville
• Janis and Pat Howes
• Liz Fye
• Lois Harrison
• Rose Laffoon
• Sigrid Strom
• Julie Houff
• Ken Winnick
• Imogene Williams
• Irv and Estelle Bertieg
• Patti Parr Norwood
• Kathy Hall
• Suzanne Gillette
• Jan Stewart
• Marilyn Peterson
• Nancy Morris
• Kevin Hamil
• Kim Loftness
• Thayer Cueter
• Maria Walsh
• Bill Meyers
• Bob and Lorraine Mascott