I chose to make Milwaukie my home seven years ago. The city was checking all my must have boxes, especially a strong sense of community.
While looking at a home that was for sale a gentleman approached me asking if I was
interested in moving here. He then proceeded to tell me Milwaukie was the best city in
the state, this neighborhood was the best in the city, and he continued at length about
this being the best decision I could make. Well, he closed that deal ! That gentleman is
now my neighbor and friend who continues to provide me more good advice. It says a
lot about a city that extends such a welcome to newcomers.
In those seven years I have become involved in the community and am now a candidate for Milwaukie City Council Position 2 in the November 8, 2022 General Election. Much of my life has been one of public service, and I hope to earn your vote to continue that service to our city.
I bring government, business, and volunteer service to my candidacy. As a career Navy Officer, I served in seven ships including two as captain. In my 2nd career I was an employee development and industrial safety director where we reduced a Fortune 100 subsidiary’s injury rate by 80%.
I am in my 4th year on the Planning Commission during a very busy period for our city. Much of the City Council’s work involves acting on Planning Commission recommendations, so that experience will be valuable on the City Council.
I was drawn to the Planning Commission because land use decisions are often the most important a city can make. In 2020 I served as the commission chair during the first Comprehensive Plan update in over 20 years. My approach was as always to listen first and understand a variety of views. The city did an admirable job over two years with citizen advisory group meetings, town halls, open houses, and public hearings to gather public input.
We need more housing In Milwaukie, and I support efforts to increase our housing inventory.
Although I support middle housing as one way to increase housing, I believe how the city incorporates these new housing options is important. Despite that support, I ultimately voted against the code amendments regulating middle housing along with one other commissioner. I advocated for a more measured approach in the proposed code especially when an elimination of on-site parking requirements was proposed. In the interest of full disclosure, the council in the final code adoption did restore some on-site parking requirements.
Focus Areas Deserving Special Attention:
Community Engagement
Infrastructure
Sustainability
I volunteer for several great organizations:
The Friends of the Ledding Library is no relaxing book club! They have me hauling boxes of books for the quarterly book sale and potting lots of plants for the annual plant sale. This dedicated group makes possible so many outreach activities for the children of Milwaukie. My mother was a librarian, and she would have been very proud of an organization like the Friends.
The Oregon State Extension Service Master Gardener program is both educational and fun. I participate in several of the extension service’s outreach programs from answering questions on the plant problem hotline to giving tours of the Rose Garden. I am also in the process of turning my yard into an Audubon Certified Backyard Habitat.
Other worthwhile organizations I value and support
My Path to Milwaukie
I was fortunate to have been able to attend college
on a scholarship and was the first college graduate
in my extended family that included 28 cousins. I
continued to seek out educational opportunities.
Upon graduation I was commissioned an officer in the U. S. Navy. Like most new college graduates, I was inexperienced and unsure of my place in the world. The Navy provided a structure that allowed me to mature and indeed flourish. Gosh did I need that structure and soon enjoyed responsibilities that few in their twenties ever experience. I will be forever grateful for that opportunity that included:
7 Ships – destroyers, carriers, and amphibious ships
2 Command Staffs – Persian Gulf War and peacekeeping operations in Lebanon, Somalia, and Bosnia
2 Pentagon Tours at Navy Headquarters and the Joint Chiefs of Staff
I was humbled to be selected to serve as captain of two Navy ships including USS Boxer,
an 840 foot/40,000 ton assault ship with a crew of 1,100 Sailors, 1,700 embarked
Marines, 25 helicopters and 6 jump jets.
During my first ship command I was honored that my peers selected me to receive the
Admiral Stockdale Leadership Award chosen annually from all Pacific Fleet ship and
submarine captains, and aircraft squadron and SEAL team commanders.
Some might ask why military experience would be beneficial for a city councilor?
Because only 7% of the U. S. population are veterans, there are often misconceptions
from movies and television where explosions and people yelling predominate.
Summing up this discussion:
* I would say that sound decision making was required for the kind
of responsibilities I have exercised.
* I focus on facts rather than opinions and listen to a wide variety of
viewpoints rather than rely on a narrow agenda.
* I will carry forward that approach if you elect me as one of your
city councilors.
Odds & Ends:
My Campaign Consultant
and Secret Weapon !
If I have something on my mind, I do not meditate or deep breath. I just go for a walk with my pal Rosie. Although I consider myself a good listener Rosie is a great listener. All elected officials can benefit from pet ownership.
Favorites:
Album – Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”
Movie – Stanley Kubrick’s “Paths of Glory”
Novel – Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “100 Years of Solitude”
Guilty Pleasure - Peanut M & M’s
Oh, by the way I ...
* climbed Mt. Whitney the highest peak in the lower 48 states in 2014.
* was an extra on one episode of a network TV show,
my screen time was maybe 3 seconds !
– I find it interesting to hear from others about who they admire
– thought I’d share mine
– they are not household names
* University of Mississippi - BA * Command and Staff College – National Security * San Diego State University – MBA * Harvard School of Public Health – Senior Management Program
* Milwaukie Museum * American Legion Post 180 * Surface Navy Association * Marine Memorial Association and Foundation * Mazamas Mountaineering Organization
It might surprise some to learn the amount of collaboration that goes on from Seaman to Admiral. The Navy like all high performing organizations is a learning organization continually seeking to improve. That 19-year specialist certainly knew the characteristics of a radar better than I did. Sure, there were times when I made clear to the crew we were in a command and comply situation, like when tracking a Russian submarine. My military service was not unlike my Planning Commission experience and how the City Council operates.
