Why I Am Running for Re-Election and Goals

I am a current Shoreline city councilmember, running for re-election in order to keep Shoreline moving forward, not backwards. I want to continue to work with this fine council team to accomplish these important goals:

1. Obtain the funding to complete the last portion of the Aurora Boulevard improvement project
2. Improve the economic climate by encouraging development with defined Subarea Plans, thus providing development predictability to investors and the neighborhoods
3. Allocate your tax dollars efficiently in each city budget so that it mirrors our community's vision
4. Make difficult, thoughtful decisions in a TIMELY manner

City Issues

I am running for re-election to work with the entire city council in facing these issues:

1. Point Wells: to reach a solution to the challenges posed by the proposed Point Wells development that is in the best interest of OUR community. I am the only council member, past, present or near future that lives in front of Richmond Beach Drive. This road will bear the largest brunt of this development. My 24-year residency in this community is what you need at the table. YOUR concerns are MY concerns. I'm a long time active member of the Richmond Beach community and believe that what happens at Point Wells will be my legacy to my neighbors and city. With my insistence, along with other members of the council, the city has hired Foster Pepper law firm for a second opinion. They supported our decision to continue negotiating with BSRE and suggested strategies along that line.
   Read Doris McConnell's answers to the questionnaire from Save Richmond Beach concerning Point Wells.
2. Economic Development: to redevelop our commercial and business community, especially along the Aurora corridor
3. Light Rail Alignment: to engage the community as stakeholders in the future alignment of light rail. There are two proposals: alignment along I-5 or along Aurora. It is important for the community to engage in the process now and often so that Shoreline does not get bypassed
4. Quality of Life: to consider how the quality of life in Shoreline will be impacted by each decision we make, and support changes that enhance the quality of our neighborhoods

Qualifications

I work well with this team, expect to work well with the next elected team, and believe I have a lot more to contribute to my city. I study the materials, ask questions, and reach conclusions as to how we should proceed. You have witnessed an era when elected officials did not work productively for our community. I DO NOT come to this work with the agenda of an activist. I believe, as a long time resident of Shoreline that I have a broad understanding of the issues affecting ALL of Shoreline. This enables me to see the big picture. I believe in working for the greater good of this city, not just for a single-issue group. I believe I am qualified to continue as a councilperson because I seek the one-on-one relationships with fellow council members and with members of the community. I do not seek to divide the community or the council, so I often work behind the scenes on difficult issues to collaborate with others towards a win-win outcome. My purpose in being on the council is not to monopolize airtime for my personal benefit or to hear the sound of my voice. We do not want to go back to the days of long, unproductive meetings.

Prior to being on the city council, I have been appointed to many board of director seats in numerous organization.

Major Accomplishments

When I took office in 2008, I joined a group of city council members who were weary of the bitter disputes that made going forward nearly impossible. This council was frustrated with the blather and delay tactics that had caused council meetings to drag on for hours into the night.

I believed—and still believe—that we can work together in a civil manner without giving up what we believe to be important for this community. I went to work with this attitude, working one-on-one with each relationship on the city council. I have reached across the table to find much common ground with Councilmembers. The citizens deserve the civility and timely decisions that this current council shows towards each other.

My mission has been accomplished. We have our differing views, we may not always agree, but we reach decisions without the rancor and wasted time that characterized the old days.

The proof of this statement is borne out by the accomplishments of this council for the people of Shoreline: the continuation of the Aurora Improvement Project, the development and passing of numerous neighborhood Subarea Plans, opening two off-leash dog parks (my opponent opposed the Richmond Beach Saltwater off-leash dog park), and finding more efficiencies in the 2012 city's budget.

Your vote is powerful! With it, you send a message. I hope you will vote for me, Doris McConnell. Thank you for visiting my website.