1. Do municipal governments have a serious responsibility to implement public policies and facilitate community action that furthers a consistent respect of all human life?

I suppose, deep down, every policy and action city council does have a direct or indirect effect on human life. Yet, the great majority of city business we deal with – or should deal with – is budgetary and/or wide range policy decisions. Looking at the explanation behind this question leads me to think you are asking about more direct services/policies. I have had the opportunity to help increase/continue city support of human life in many ways – the continuing support of the East County Family Center with funding, grants, and especially the capital improvements; support of The Treasure House; our library; Community Education programs and other school district services; support for charity and fundraising events with churches and community organizations.

2. 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?

Our city leases the building space for the Washougal branch of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District. Their policies are created and regulated by a Board of trustees appointed by the County Commissioners of three respective counties. As far as our City Council’s connection to this, we approve the lease agreement. Other than that, I could make recommendations as a private citizen to FVL or County Commissioners. When Council had these discussions the last time the lease was up, I believe there were 2 or 3 people who addressed us in opposition to the FVL policy on Internet use, and a far greater number in support of it. As a city resident, school teacher, member of a local church, and father of 5, I firmly believe that there are enough safeguards in the library to insure to me that pornography on the internet is not going to be a problem. I would be far more concerned with computers that are in homes, children’s rooms, and the “idiot box” we call television than the FVL policy on internet usage. Thus, the direct answer to the question, then, would be no – not as a City Council member.

3. 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?

In my 8 years in service on the Council, there has never been a time that we have had to deal with this issue. I will always support to continue the only zoning that allows Sexually Orientated Businesses – a small area down in the industrial zoning by the C/W Port lands. I honestly believe that no business of this sort will ever desire to move to our city.

4. Do you believe that life begins at conception and that the State has a compelling interest in protecting that life?

Yes, I do. As a Christian and a father of 5 school age children – 3 natural and 2 adopted – I believe in the importance of a family and children, and the policies, both social, educational, and economic, which promote the healthy growth of them. Also, in regards to the preceding un-numbered question, no, I do not personally believe in abortion. Though, looking at two points, there must be more to the question than what it asks. First, as long as our nation and state must allow abortion, I have sworn to my city and God to uphold the laws and Constitution of the United States. Second, other than zoning of physician offices and/or indirect city support of social services, our Council would have no bearing on the issue. I can imagine this is the dilemma of many elected officials. Yet, even more than that, there is an even greater issue to me. One can disagree with abortion rights till the cows come home, but what do they do to give options? More specifically, what about the tremendous number of unwanted/neglected/abused/impoverished children that were not aborted? That is one of the reasons I adopted two drug/alcohol affected and unwanted children. I hope I saved them and give them a better life and future. In my mind, this is a far greater issue that we can immediately and legally take on.

5. Is taking the life of a pre-born child through abortion ever permissible?

I believe to save a mothers life, and in cases of rape and incest, it is a “necessary evil”. Abortion should not be forced upon a woman in these cases. If she chooses to have a baby from either these incidences, then that is her right. Though, I could also attempt to understand how a woman may not want to have the baby under these circumstances. Our God is an understanding and forgiving God, and we should strive to be also.

6. Do you support parental notification and/or consent before a minor (under 18 years of age) could have an abortion?

Yes, I do. Unless that child has been legally emancipated, I feel it is necessary.

7. Should they be contracted with to make community presentations, provide literature, birth control chemicals or devises, and/or abortion services?

As a Washougal City Council member, I have never come, nor would I rationally see the need for coming, in contact with Planned Parenthood as a contracted service. If it ever comes up in my time on Council, I would not support any use of city funds/services for it.

8. What is your position on the building of this casino?

I have never been a supporter of any state-supported gaming, from the Lottery on down. I stand behind those who are against it from the Federal level on down. It serves no positive purpose as something the government should support.

9. Are you an active member in a church, synagogue, temple, mosque or other religious assembly?

Yes. I grew up in Tacoma and was active in church their throughout my childhood – church, Sunday school, Royal Rangers, youth groups. In the years I lived in Port Townsend after college, I was a member and Sunday school teacher at the Lutheran church there. Presently, I am a member of St. John’s Presbyterian in Camas. I will be teaching vacation bible school in a couple weeks, and am going to accept the Pastor’s invitation to begin teaching Sunday school there in the near future.

10. Does the collaboration of government with faith-based charitable works lawfully ensure fair treatment of religious organizations, and is it good for our communities?

It ensures fair treatment of all organizations, religious included. As long as all are held to the same standards as any other organization -- government, private, or tax-exempt – it is part of the connections our country needs of public, private, and religious groups. 11. I am a 47 years old citizen, and have lived in Washougal for 12 years. I am married and, as previously mentioned, I have 5 children from 7 to 15 years of age.

11. Qualifications:

I have taught public school for 15 years, 12 in Washougal. I teach the program for Developmentally Disabled students for both our middle schools. I have a BA.ed in History, with a minor in Political Science, from Western Washington University, and have taken almost 90 graduate level credits from various universities in Special Education. I was elected to the Washougal City Council in 2001, re-elected in 2005, and was the appointed Mayor-Pro-Tem for 3 of these years. I have served on an assortment of committees for the city during my 8 years of service. I was unsure of running again, but many people in our community and government asked me to go for one more term. There has been so much instability in the Council and Department Heads that they wanted my experience and level-headedness in budgetary and social issues. Thus, I look forward to serving our citizens for 4 more years.

12. Yes, you may print the questionnaire in its entirety.