Joan McBride (incumbent) – Candidate for City Council Position 1

Candidate Bio

Name: Joan McBride
Age: 58
Family: Large extended family.  Three children, their significant others, partner, former daughter in law and her partner, sister, former husband and his significant other, all together a beautiful family of 14.
Religion: Christian, attend Kirkland Congregational Church
Education: B.A. The Evergreen State College, 1970 graduate Lake Washington High School
Resident of Kirkland since: 1960
Resident of King County since: 1960

Campaign Chair: Nona Ganz and Mary Alyce Burleigh

Campaign Treasurer:  Hazel Russell

Campaign website: to be launched later

Contact information: jmcbr38519@aol.com
425.889.2938

Favorite movie: Robin Hood (1938) staring Errol Flynn, Oliva de Havlland, Basil Rathbone and Claude Rains

Currently reading: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson, Martin Kippenberger – The Problem Perspective (essays on the artist’s life and work – MIT Press) and Evidence by Mary Oliver (poems)

Hobbies: Reading, collecting vintage lunch boxes and writing.

Professional Experience: Retired.  Previously I worked in the non-profit sector  primarily in human services and higher education specializing in community relations and development.

Political Experience: Kirkland City Council – 12 years (10 as deputy mayor)

• Houghton Community Council – 5 years (two years as chair)
• PTSA – Lakeview Elementary (Co-pres), Kirkland Junior High (officer), Lake Washington High School (vice president)
• Civic Involvement/Community Service:
• Bicycle Alliance of Washington (BAW) – Board member, legislative member and PSRC representative – current
• Family Resource Center – Board member – current
• Feet First – Advisory Board – current
• Kirkland Congregational Church – Search committee for settled pastor – current
• 2008 National Bike and Pedestrian Conference – local host committee member
• Past:
  • Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundations NW – former Board member
  • Kirkland Interfaith Network (KIN) – former member and chair
  • PTA member 1987 to 2006
  • Le Leche League Leader (former)
  • Former PTA state lobbyist for ‘crosswalk legislation’
  • Mother’s Day Community Walk – co-founder
  • Kirkland Alliance of Neighborhoods (KAN) – original member and first elections chair
  • Former Sunday school teacher (pre-school/kindergarten)
  • Lakeview Elementary Traffic Safety Committee – co-founder
  • Lakeview Elementary Children’s Fund – co-founder
  • Puget Sound Consumer’s Co-op (PCC)/ Kirkland – former store council member

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 registered member of any political party.

How would you describe your political views? Progressive

Why have you chosen to live in Kirkland? I grew up in Kirkland and have never moved away.  I have visited many towns and cities across the state and the nation, and have had opportunities to move elsewhere, but my home is here.  This is my hometown where I raised my children, where I know the history and the neighborhoods.  This beautiful lakeside city, ringed with parks, with devoted and involved citizens is the most livable city in the world to me.  Kirkland is the only place I have ever wanted to live.

What do you hope to achieve, if elected to the City Council in 2009?

You are asking the people of Kirkland for our vote. Why should we vote for you?

1. My first priority is to help guide our city through the current economic downturn by adhering to strong fiscal management practices and ensuring balanced economic development.  This is certainly a challenging time for our city, as it is for the region and nation, but by using innovation and balanced solutions we will emerge from this downturn stronger than ever.
2. I will continue to champion bike and pedestrian friendly facilities that are safe, accessible and convenient.  I am a decades-long proponent of the Cross Kirkland Trail along the Burlington Northern/SantaFe corridor and will work to make it a reality.  I support the completion of the 116th bike corridor that connects to Bellevue.  And in my next term, I hope to work to expand our Complete Street Ordinance.  I support safe walking routes to school and well-marked and maintained crosswalks and will work to bring about the goals of our recently updated non-motorized plan, now titled Active Transportation Plan.
3. I will recharge our economic development work in Kirkland and personally pledge to be involved in promoting the redevelopment of Totem Lake commercial areas.  Totem Lake has been too long ignored and I support a recommitment to this area that is the economic engine of our town.   I want to see the Totem Lake Action Team reinstituted.  I will support our city’s renewed efforts to preserve current businesses and to attract new and sustainable businesses.
4. This fall our annexation areas will decide whether or not to join our city.  I am committed to a transparent process for both citizens of Kirkland and the citizens of the potential annexation area (PAA).  Although state law mandates only the PAA may vote on the annexation question, it is critical that everyone be on the same page as far as access to information and ability to address questions and concerns.
5. I will continue my regional work that benefits our city and our region.  Currently I serve as Vice Chair for both WIRA 8 (salmon recovery) and the Flood Control District Advisory Committee.  I am also on the King Conservation District Advisory Board.  These three regional boards do critical work around public safety, economic development, rural conservation and salmon recovery throughout our county.  I also represent our city on Eastside Transportation Partnership (ETP), an organization that, among other things, prioritizes transportation projects on the Eastside.
6. I will work wholeheartedly to see collegiality returned to the city council.  Kirkland has always been the leader in thoughtful courteous debate and I intend to maintain and nurture our working relationships on the council and with citizens.

The second part of the question is why you should vote for Joan McBride.

I have a proven track record.  I have 12 years of experience and commitment to our city.  I am dedicated to Kirkland citizens, businesses and neighborhoods and have proven I can make hard decisions when the best interests of the city demand bold action.  I am fair minded and am not beholden to any one group or organization.  I do my homework and walk into every council meeting ready for the task at hand.  I love Kirkland and would never ever let her down.

I am endorsed by seven former Kirkland mayors and many past council members.  I like to think they have endorsed me because I am following in the footsteps of the fathers and mothers of our town, who made it the most livable and progressive city in the state.  I am honor-bound to do my best for Kirkland everyday, in the good times and the bad.  I look forward to working together with you over the next four years, facing challenges, developing solutions and continuing to enhance our town.

For more information, visit our Voter Guide

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