Amy Walen – Candidate for City Council Position 5

Candidate Bio

Name: Amy Walen
Age: 41
Family: Married with 3 step-children
Religion: Christian
Education: I have a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Political Science & a Bachelor of Laws both from the University of Queensland (Australia).
Resident of Kirkland since: We moved to the Kirkland area in 2005- we were living in the Kingsgate area, then moved into the Lakeview neighborhood in 2008.
Resident of King County since:  2005

Campaign Co-Chairs: Bill Woods and Sue Contreras
Campaign Treasurer: Sheila Hartshorne
Campaign website: amywalen.com
Contact information: amywalen@comcast.net
425-381-1909

Favorite movie:  Moonstruck

Currently reading: Horse Heaven by Jane Smiley.  The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, The Art of Italian Cooking by Marcella Hazan.

Hobbies: Walking my dog.  Cooking.

Professional Experience:  I practiced law in Australia from 1990 to 1995.  After returning to Oregon, I started as a cashier at a Ford dealership and worked my way up to Controller.  In the meantime became a member of the Oregon State Bar.  I have been a Controller of auto dealerships since 1998.

Political Experience: I am a voter.

Civic Involvement/Community Service: I’ve been involved with the Komen organization.  Through work, I arrange for blood drives and Adopt a Highway.  I collected photos of our pets for a “Pet Calendar”, proceeds to the ASPCA.  Through work again, we contribute to Children’s Hospital through our “Throw a Water balloon at your manager” fundraiser, we sponsor a shelter at “Meow” provided a vehicle for the “Old Dog Haven” and sponsor the Pace Race.  We donate to schools and other causes through donations of money or in kind.  We most recently contributed to the 4th of July fireworks.

Kirkland City Council is a non-partisan position. Are you a member of a political party – if so, with which party are you registered? I am not a member of a political party.

How would you describe your political views? I am a moderate.

Why have you chosen to live in Kirkland? My husband and I moved to Kirkland because he had the opportunity to become the dealer at Ford of Kirkland.  We have been fortunate enough to be able to live and work in this community.

What do you hope to achieve, if elected to the City Council in 2009? If I have the privilege to serve, I would hope to bring a fresh point of view to the challenges facing the City.  As a neighbor who also works at one of the businesses in the City, I am in a unique position to understand the concerns of the people who live here- safety, essential services, parks – but also to bring a legal and financial background to the city’s budget challenges.

You are asking the people of Kirkland for our vote. Why should we vote for you? I am smart and a very hard worker.  I commit myself to fully researching all aspects of the decisions that I will participate in.  I am a consensus builder who will seek to find imaginative solutions to the opportunities we have.  I have a fresh point of view and a ton of energy to apply to the job.  I have integrity and I am a great listener.  I’m compassionate, and able to understand many points of view.

For more information, visit our Voter Guide

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