President: Jennifer Power
Vice President: Hong Chhuor
Secretary: Clark Smith
Treasurer: Tony Russo
3 Representative positions: Web Crowell, Debbie Kirchhauser, Josh Mahar

I have lived in Seattle all my live, have volunteered on Capitol Hill and have attended the Capitol Hill Community Council meetings since January.
Currently I am active in outreach of the Arts and Events Committee helping schedule the Capitol Hill Pride Festival and have
helped garner booth applications for the festival.
I have also helped at the opening for the Capitol Hill Discount Dollar.

As Vice-President I will try and represent all aspects of the community with empathy and respect even for the homeless.

Experience has been with:
WA Community Action Network
SE Idaho Aids Coalition
Fostering of bottle-fed kittens

Candidate Statement

As Capitol Hill residents we all have one thing in common. We choose to live on Capitol Hill. We could have lived anywhere, but we choose to live on Capitol Hill. While that in no way means that we are all alike, it is reasonable to assume that we share some common values. These similarities lead me to believe that a well ran Community Council could have a significant impact on the community. I would like to use my previous organizational and event planning experience to help build a stronger Capitol Hill.

Candidate Experience

• Large scale event planning including booking, production management, and marketing
• Speaking in front of large crowds
• Working directly with the aging community on First Hill/Capitol Hill
• B.A. in History: Knox College
• Minor in Business and Management: Knox College

Candidate Goals

• Plan, sponsor and execute events that build community.
• Strengthen and build relationships with local businesses.
• Facilitate wider coverage for events associated with the Council.

Candidate Statement

My primary goal with the Council has been and always will be encouraging community connections. I’ve been doing this ever since I moved into the neighborhood – once I graduated from college I joined the POWHat (Pine-Olive Way-Howell Area Triangle) neighborhood association and shortly thereafter I became an at-large member of the Capitol Hill Neighborhood Plan Stewardship Council. I also started working with the Community Council shortly after it re-formed through Unpaving Paradise, CHCC’s joint project with the P-Patch Trust to raise money for the park-to-be at John and Summit.

During my time with these groups, I’ve met and worked with my neighbors, local business owners, members of the City government, and Capitol Hill community organizations like the Chamber of Commerce on issues from neighborhood planning to pedestrian safety. I’ve shown that I’m able to work with many different kinds of people in the effort to accomplish important neighborhood goals.

There are as many visions of Capitol Hill as there are residents of the neighborhood. I feel that as Council president my duty would be to bring these views together into a constructive conversation. We are at the threshold of a time of great on Capitol Hill. We need to consolidate our vision as a community in order to mold the future of our neighborhood ourselves rather than leaving it in the hands of others.

Candidate Experience

• POWHat Neighborhood Association organizer – 3 years
• Capitol Hill Neighborhood Plan Stewardship Council At-Large Representative – 2 years
• Capitol Hill Community Council Open Space Committee Chair/ Unpaving Paradise organizer -1 year this August

Candidate Goals

• Collaborate with the Capitol Hill Neighborhood Plan Stewardship Council and other neighborhood organizations in the Neighborhood Plan Update, ensuring that there is adequate neighborhood outreach and that the Update addresses residents’ needs and concerns.
• Work with the Chamber of Commerce and other neighborhood organizations to ensure that neighborhood concerns are heard during the Capitol Hill Light Rail Station planning and that the development above the station will serve the neighborhood’s needs.
• Continue the Capitol Hill Community Council/ Unpaving Paradise’s participation in the development of the John and Summit Park and P-Patch.
• Find and develop opportunities to improve neighborhood livability, like pedestrian streetscape improvements and new neighborhood green spaces.

My name is Josh Mahar and I would like to nominate myself for an at-large position on the Capitol Hill Community Council.

About me:

I recently moved to Capitol Hill and live on the West side in the I-5 shores area. I am an avid biker and constantly explore the various sub-neighborhoods of the hill on two wheels, always finding something interesting to explore. For the past few years I have gotten involved with community improvement, specifically through the Seattle Great City Initiative. Having interned for them last year, I hope to take the skills and knowledge that I learned and apply it to our own wonderful community. I have also been writing for the Capitol Hill Seattle blog and thus, feel very acquainted with Hill issues.

Undoubtedly, Capitol Hill is going through a significant time in its history. With light rail coming, and the neighborhood becoming more dense, there are a number of challenges that face us in the coming year. At the same time their are some rare opportunities and I want to make sure that we can really capitolize (pun intended!) on this moment.

My main goals for this year are two-fold:

(1) To make sure that Capitol Hill residents have a clear voice in what happens to their neighborhood and in so doing,

(2) To make sure that all future growth and development in the neighborhood contributes to the character and vitality of our community. We need to protect our history and culture while still allowing for improvements but we need to be clear on what we want and where we want it. For example, with the construction of the new light rail station I believe we need to have a substantial dialogue with Sound Transit, SDOT, and any developers involved to make sure that when construction is complete, the entire community is happy with the results.

Hello, I'm writing to submit my information as a possible community representative.

About Me:

I'm a Capitol Hill resident and (very) small business person and for the last several years I have become more involved in community planning. I'm very concerned about the city, and this defining neighborhood loosing its character if people don't make an effort to raise expectations for civic amenities, preservation and new construction. I think Capitol Hill can set standards that are the envy of other cities, but right now, we're not doing enough for the long or short-term goals.

• I've lived here over 12 years
• Participated significantly in the arts community as a filmmaker and designer.
• Regularly participate in city design reviews for new construction.

Neighborhood goals:

• A developers cheat sheet: photographic descriptions of the worst and best architecture on the hill.
• Updating the neighborhood master plan.
• Permitting more street food (C'mon, just Sausage????)
• Beginning the long-term work of preparing for multiple, defining projects required after the tunnel construction on Broadway.
• Working towards transitioning from a place where you park to a place where everyone walks and bikes.

- Webster Crowell

Candidate Statement

I’ve been a resident of Capitol Hill for almost 9 years now and have witnessed some of the changes that our community has undergone. Every so often, I’ll hear somebody talk about how great Capitol Hill “used to be” and it makes me wonder what is causing its deterioration; this curiosity has inspired me to stand up and do something about it.

For the last year, I’ve served our community and the Council by overseeing the finances of this organization in my role as Council Treasurer. When it became necessary, I also stepped up to the challenge of serving as Interim Secretary. I want to continue to do my part in helping to invigorate Capitol Hill so that we may re-establish our claim to be one of Seattle’s most vibrant cultural, artistic, residential and commercial centers.

Candidate Experience

• Capitol Hill Community Council Treasurer: 2008-2009
• Capitol Hill Community Council Interim Secretary: January 2009 – Present
• CHCC Committees: Executive, Open Space, Bylaws, Technology
• Unpaving Paradise: Steering Committee
• Account Services Group: Parametric Portfolio Associates: 2007 – Present
• US Fulbright Junior Researcher: Thailand – 2006-2007
• Associate Financial Representative: Northwestern Mutual – 2006
• National Association of Securities Dealers: Series 6 & 63 Securities Licenses (inactive)
• Washington State: Life & Disability Insurance Agent’s License (inactive)
• BA in History with Departmental Honors: Seattle University – 2005
• BA in Business Economics: Seattle University – 2005
• Minor in Medieval Studies: Seattle University – 2005

Candidate Goals

I envision Capitol Hill becoming a real community again; where people know each other and greet each other in shops and on our sidewalks. As it stands, we’re very much fragmented as a community and as I’ve seen from personal experience, this creates some challenges when it comes to organizing. For the next year, my primary goals are as follows:

• Strengthen the presence & visibility of the Council.
• Forge lasting partnerships with businesses & other organizations on the Hill.
• Expand the community’s voice in the Sound Transit development process.
• Sponsor FUN events (community garage sales, game tournaments, etc.) that build connections.
• Serve as a conduit for the community’s input in the crafting & implementation of the Neighborhood Plan Update.

Thank you for your support!

About Debbie:

• I've lived on Capitol Hill for 5 years (North End) and absolutely LOVE it!
• I volunteer in the community as an advocate for those whose lives have been affected by domestic violence
• I have 10+ years work experience in Employee Relations & Coaching/Human Resource Management
• Currently completing a Master's in Psychology (Counseling) at Antioch University
• Hobbies: Music (piano/flute/voice), Kayaking, Hiking, and Travel

Candidate statement

You elected me Vice President in 2008 as a steward of your community and I am now announcing my candidacy for President in representing fairly the many facets of the Capitol Hill Community. My goal remains the same in creating a unified community voice to not only address issues of preservation and safety but to encourage community events and culture that make Capitol Hill special. My accomplishments are listed below and I not only seek your vote but your involvement in Seattle’s best community.

Candidate Accomplishments
Initiatedthe Capitol Hill Discount Dollar in 2009.
Establishing the first annual Capitol Hill Pride Festival.
Establishing the first ever Capitol Hill Emergency Plan.
Saved four trees on Broadway from development.

Candidate Experience
Vice President Capitol Hill Community Council 2008.
Chairperson CHCC’s Arts and Events Committee and active with Bylaws Committee.
Participating East District Community Council.
Established the Seattle Museum of the Mysteries - a federally recognized non-profit museum since 2004 on Capitol Hill.
Coordinating events and a lectures on Capitol Hill since 1998.
B.A. in Research and Design Wright State University.

Elections will be held at the Cal Anderson Park Shelter House on Thursday, June 25th. The polls will be open from 7-9pm.

This year, the Council is expanding its leadership committee to seven positions: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary and three "At-Large" representative positions.

Over the last year, the Capitol Hill Community Council has held various meetings that have addressed a number of community concerns and developments. The Council also organized the "Capitol Hill Halloween Walk" and the development of the "Capitol Hill Discount Dollar" as well as supporting "Unpaving Paradise" fundraising for John and Summit Park.

2009 Candidates

Jennifer Power - President
Charlette LeFevre - President
Hong Chhuor - Vice-President
Kami Bodily - Vice-President
Clark Smith - Secretary
Tony Russo - Treasurer
Debbie Kirchhauser - At-Large Representative
Web Crowell - At-Large Representative
Josh Mahar - At-Large Representative

Yes, I recognize Doug Schwartz of the Capitol Hill Times and the staff have their thumb on the pulse of Capitol Hill and themselves are a voice of the community. What the purpose of the council and what the newspaper does is very much inline. I am familiar with most of the business owners on the North End of Broadway, the LGBT organizations and other non-profits on Capitol Hill and will certainly continue to outreach to the community.

And sorry, but there are no vague understandings of IRS codes on conflict of interest and I don't plan on having our future bylaws be vague either. If your talking about Tim Durkan (obviously) I feel it was inappropriate of him not to inform the steering committee of his withdawing beforehand rather than use the council meeting to self promote. Its called grandstanding. Tim can certainly read this forum and he is certainly free to reply to the statements regarding conflict of interest at anytime.

Our community gathered in a well-attended forum to elect you as the voice and face of the Capitol Hill Community Council — that includes all of us who live and work on Capitol Hill.

I was lucky to participate in just about every meeting of the new Council and sit on its steering committee. A fascinating, and at times frustrating, process. One with a great result. I applaud you guys and thank each of you for the time and energy you'll contribute.

I want to mention one thing that stuck with me following the election. During candidate speeches someone mentioned "twisting the arm" of the editor of a local paper (Doug Schwartz of the Capitol Hill Times, no?) A former officer of the CHCC pointed out that the editor happened to be sitting in the audience, 10 feet away from the candidate who proposed the arm twisting. Everyone chuckled.

It was clear this former officer knew the editor. On election day I don't expect the same of our new officers, but I encourage you to do the same in the coming months. Sit down with your local news reporters and ask them what stories they see emerging in the community. Have coffee with local business owners. Attend meetings of other Capitol Hill community groups. I'm glad to hear you'll regularly attend the farmer's market — find more of these venues.

Please make it a priority to get out in the community — the council itself. The first year will entail lots of formalities, structures and frameworks. Bylaws, board, government filings, oh my! But structure yourself in and around the people you represent. For instance, if you want to speculate on conflicts of interest, take time to get to know the person who you believe represents the conflict over and above vague understandings of "IRS codes."

This council is about people. Relate to them, represent them, rally them!

Thanks again for representing us.

James

Andrew Taylor and Roberta conducted the elections.
Thanks to Crave restaurant for supplying the snack tray.

Suggested bylaw regarding Conflict of Interest forwarded to me by Chris Lehman:
Conflict of Interest:
A conflict of interest exists if a member of the Board of Directors receives financial compensation, accepts employment with or is under professional contract to the Council. It is the obligation of Board members to notify the Executive Committee in writing if a potential or perceived conflict of interest or duality of interest arises during their term of office. Reimbursement of a Board member’s expenses, honoraria for speaking or program grants are not considered a conflict of interest. A conflict of will also exist if any board member is directly employed by or related to any party having an interest that is adverse or potentially adverse to the purposes of the Council. Such Board member shall disclose to the Board in writing the existence of such conflict an may not participate in debate or in voting on matters affecting the parties to the conflict, unless such conflict is waived by a majority of the Board.

Yes, there are many members even currently who work for the city and real estate arena (and there are provisions for that when it comes down to voting) but I want to point out there is a BIG difference in being a general city employee or real estate agent and being a directly paid advisor for the Mayor.

If you felt you were singled out it was not by I and hope you will consider still attending the meetings and running a future committee.

I have felt and still feel that the open candidate period from April 9th to the 17th (eight short days) since it was first publicly announced and closed was way too short.
I am hoping the updated bylaws will define a fair application period.