Candidate's Survey Response:
2009 Mayoral /
City Council Survey
Please see
my responses below in red.
AN ETHIC OF LIFE IN
MUNICIPAL PUBLIC POLICY
1. Do municipal governments have a serious responsibility to
advance a consistent ethic regarding the respect of human life? A
consistent ethic of life often focuses on major policy issues,
including first abortion but also others such as poverty,
euthanasia, capital punishment, war, racism, nuclear arms and
exploitation. While these are national issues, municipalities can
and should address local policy and social factors. A consistent
ethic of life recognizes that each and every human being is unique
and important, that no person is defined by someone else's choices,
and that no one exists solely as a means to someone else's
happiness. The choices we make, as individuals and as a society,
must be weighed in light of their impact on human life and
dignity. Do municipal governments have a serious responsibility
to implement public policies and facilitate community action that
further a consistent respect of all human life?
Yes
PUBLIC LIBRARY PORNOGRAPHY
2. In the US Supreme Court ruling
United
States v. American Library Association, Inc, 2003, which upheld
the use of library internet pornography filters, Chief Justice
Rehnquist stated for the plurality that "to fulfill their
traditional missions, public libraries must have broad discretion to
decide what material to provide to their patrons. Although they
seek to provide a wide array of information, their goal has never
been to provide 'universal coverage,'" and "most libraries already
exclude pornography from their print collections because they deem
it inappropriate for inclusion." Will you as a city council
person appoint, recommend or request (depending on your level of
authority) only library board candidates who oppose the inclusion of
pornography in public libraries, whether by internet or as printed
materials? Yes
REGULATION OF SEXUALLY
ORIENTED BUSINESSES
3. The U.S. Supreme Court in
Young v. American Mini Theaters, Inc., (1976) and
Renton v. Playtime Theater, Inc., (1986), concluded that
municipalities have "substantial governmental interests" in
protecting and preserving the quality of life for its community
against the adverse secondary effects of sexually oriented
businesses while allowing for "reasonable alternative avenues of
communication." Land Use Studies from cities around the United
States were cited in both U.S. Supreme Court cases documenting the
harmful secondary effects including 1. Increased Crime - rape,
sexual assault, prostitution and illegal drug sales; 2. Decreased
Property Values - both residential and commercial; and 3. Urban
Blight - people and businesses fleeing the community. Will you
diligently seek and maintain zoning ordinances, licensing
procedures, permit requirements and operational regulations which
serve to minimize the adverse secondary effects of Sexually Oriented
Businesses? Yes
ABORTION
Do you believe that it is scientifically accurate and honest to say
that human life begins at conception?
Yes
4. The 14th Amendment states "nor shall any state deprive any person
of life, liberty or property without due process of law; nor deny to
any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the
laws." The Supreme Court in
Roe v. Wade, 1973, stated that "if this suggestion of personhood
is established, the appellant's case, of course, collapses, for the
fetus' right to life would then be guaranteed specifically by the
[14th] Amendment." The Court regrettably concluded though that "we
need not resolve the difficult question of when life begins. When
those trained in the respective disciplines of medicine, philosophy,
and theology are unable to arrive at any consensus, the judiciary,
at this point in the development of man's knowledge, is not in a
position to speculate as to the answer." Do you believe that
life begins at conception and that the State has a compelling
interest in protecting that life? Yes
5. Is taking the
life of a pre-born child through abortion ever permissible? Check
all that apply:
__X___
No, it's never permissible
_____ Yes, to save
mother's life
_____ Yes, in cases
of rape or incest
_____ Yes, for
physical deformity
_____ Yes, for
genetic predispositions |
_____ Yes, for
gender
_____ Yes, for race
_____ Yes, for economic hardship
_____ Yes, to punish spouse
_____ Yes, it's
always permissible
|
6. Do you support
parental notification and/or consent before a minor (under 18 years
of age) could have an abortion? A judicial bypass of parents would
be allowed when necessary.
Notification?
Yes
Consent? Yes
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
7. Should your city partner in any way with the nation's biggest
abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, who received over
$350 million dollars in governmental grants and contracts,
and aborted nearly 305,000
babies? Should they be contracted with to make community
presentations, provide literature, birth control chemicals or
devises, and/or abortion services? No
GAMING
8. The proposed casino off I-5 near Ridgefield,
plans for which are now faltering, would be one of the largest
in the nation. What is your position on the building of this
casino? I do not
support the casino. The societal impacts of casinos and strain
that will be placed on public safety are just a few of the
negative impacts a casino will bring to SW Washington. However
with that said I think it is entirely appropriate to have open
dialogue with all involved in this process.
CONTRIBUTIONS OF
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS
9. "Religious communities are the largest and best-organized
civil institutions in the world, claiming the allegiance of billions
across race, class, and national divides. These communities have
particular cultural understandings, infrastructures, and resources
to get help where it is needed most" (World
Conference of Religions for Peace). Southwest Washington has a
broad range of religious communities that contribute substantially
to the welfare of families, children, seniors, the homeless, sick,
and refugees. They are a highly valued part of our community which
respects and defends human life at every stage. Are you an
active member in a church, synagogue, temple, mosque or other
religious assembly? Non-denominational
Christian
If so, you may state
here where at:
FAITH-BASED AND NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERSHIPS
10. The White House's Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood
Partnerships ensures that religious and other community
organizations are able to compete on an equal footing for
participation in Federal programs without impairing the character of
such organizations and without diminishing the religious freedom of
those served. Does the collaboration of government with
faith-based charitable works lawfully ensure fair treatment of
religious organizations, and is it good for our communities?
Yes
QUALIFICATIONS
11. Please state your professional
experience, community involvement, education and other
qualifications for a mayoral or city council position.
Business Manager 14 Years with a
background in Accounting, Business Management, Contract
Negotiations, and Conflict Resolution.
Current Member of the Woodland
City Council Pos. #6 - Since 2008.
12. May LifePac post your returned survey on our website? Yes
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Please give your campaign web address if you have one.
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