Slowly Lacey, Washington is becoming “Any City, USA” with big box retail stores and strip malls on every corner and congested roadways. And in the process we there is no doubt we will lose our identity…and our soul. And now it’s apparent that the best way to find ourselves and find our future is by traveling to the past. Like our Forefathers, we’re called to boldly envision and invest for the future where those who come after us will reach back to our time and be thankful for our courage. Lacey has historically been known in the region for its natural beauty, small town feel, recreation and leisure, overall quality of life, and entrepreneurial spirit. We need to recapture that history, reputation and north western culture. If we can create a space in the global economy that uniquely identifies Lacey as a recreation and leisure and entrepreneurial capitol we will become a City worthy of Consideration, and as a City worthy of Consideration, we will naturally draw a vibrant, young creative class of citizens who are vital to growing existing, and attracting new business. We do not have to be Any City, USA. We are a special people in a special place challenged by current events but called to greatness. We’re intellectually rich, highly motivated and suffer from an embarrassing abundance of natural resources. And if we bind our various strands of expertise into the strong rope of unity and cooperation, there is little we cannot do.
THE ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The primary role of local government is to provide public safety and adequate infrastructure, which then paves the way for growth and prosperity. Any proposals that seek to extend local government beyond this primary role, should be subjected to vigorous philosophical debate. Moreover, I view local government as a “partner with the private sector”. In that context, I believe all of our civil servants, who are our neighbors, and who care about our city and its outcomes just as each of us do, should work to ensure that each component of government is adding value to what the city is trying to achieve. If it cannot define that added value, it should cease to exist.
POLITICAL COOPERATION
Municipal elections, especially in Lacey, are supposed to be non-partisan. The fact they are increasing not is the height of entertainment and hypocrisy. My candidacy is about serving the entire citizenry of Lacey not matter the race, color, creed, sexual orientation, handicap, place of residence, or political affiliation. I challenge everyone to set aside their prejudices and predilection. If we work together, and don’t worry about who gets the credit, I feel in my heart there is little we cannot accomplish.
UTILIZE COMMUNITY’S INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL
I propose the creation of the “Lacey Brain Trust”. I envision the Lacey Brain Trust being comprised of a loose organization of Lacey’s brightest leaders who voluntarily, and without pay, gather in a conference setting quarterly and simply ask and answer, “What are we doing, collectively, to move our city forward?”
DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH CITIZENS
I plan to revolutionize the way elected officials communicate with constituents. Specifically, I plan to have an on- going dialogue with my constituents via email, Facebook and other Internet mediums. I firmly believe citizens want timely information and access and to be involved. They want to have a voice, participate in the process, and most importantly, to be heard. I plan to be my constituent’s information portal to the daily operation of government
CITY FINANCES
I propose a “City of Lacey Family Finances Plan”. The City of Lacey needs to start saving money in an accessible “rainy day fund” the way most of its citizens’ families does. What’s good for Lacey families has to be good for the city. It’s a poor financial model to spend 100 percent (or more) of revenues each year to operate the City. As a City, we should be able to put enough revenue aside each year to operate the City through any economic down turn or other calamity. I propose a “ B & O Tax Structure Summit” where we evaluate the possible elimination of the B & O tax and investigate if there is a more appropriate tax collection scheme we can utilize. The Washington Policy Center made a proposal that I favor, which in relevant part allows a business owner to choose one of three ways to calculate taxable receipts, selecting the one that results in the lowest tax burden. Calculating the taxable margins could be based on total gross receipts minus labor costs, or; total gross receipts minus all production costs except labor, or; 60 percent of total gross receipts.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUSED – A CITY OF CONNECTIVITY
If the City of Lacey ever hopes to attract a creative class of people willing to invest in our City or to bring new- economy businesses here; if we want to be a City Worthy of Consideration, we must be a City of Connectivity. We must have a world-class technological infrastructure. To that end, at a minimum, we full City coverage with high- speed Internet access, uninterruptable cell-phone coverage, and FREE Wi-Fi access. Imagine businesses doing business while taking a break Huntamer Park, Rainier Vista Park, Capitol City Golf Course, or any other venue.
RE-IMAGINE LACEY
I want to creatively RE-IMAGINE LACEY, where we dream big and welcome Fresh Ideas and out of the box thinking. It stands to reason that some of our ideas will never be realized, but we need to start a creative brain- storming process throughout all of our communities, where no idea is automatically discarded because “we’ve always done it that way”. To see a few of my ideas or to contribute ideas of your own, visit the Fresh Ideas
Raymond Greeting Hillary Clinton on White House Lawn
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