COMMUNITY VALUES: A CONSISTENT ETHIC OF LIFE IN PUBLIC
POLICY 1.
Do municipal governments have a responsibility to advance a
consistent ethic regarding the respect of human life?
A consistent ethic of life
focuses first on abortion, but also on issues such as end of
life care, poverty, crime, capital punishment, war, racism,
nuclear arms and exploitation. While these are
nationally debated issues, they have street level
manifestations that municipalities can address. 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 responsibility to implement
public policies and facilitate community action that further
a consistent respect of all human life?
YES
COMMUNITY PREGNANCY CENTERS
2. Currently,
attempts are being made by pro abortion advocates to pass
legislation in several states targeting pro-life pregnancy
centers, even though such centers provide those states with
valuable community services. In Washington State
HB 1366
and
SB 5274
require: 1. The listing of non-provided services both orally
and in writing. This sets a dangerous precedent
allowing any organization with political clout to saddle its
competitors with burdensome requirements of saying or
listing what they do not do. In January of this year,
a federal judge ruled
that "the Ordinance violates the Freedom of Speech Clause of
Article I of the Constitution of the United States" (pg.
2) and has a "lack of viewpoint neutrality ... a
particularly offensive form of content-based discrimination"
(pg. 20). 2. These bills allow any Planned Parenthood
employee, private citizen, or government entity to bring
petitions for injunctions even if they are repeatedly thrown
out of court. A local pregnancy center,
surviving on donations, cannot defend itself in Superior
Court pro se (without representation) and cannot afford to
pay a lawyer to defend them even once, yet alone multiple
times. 3. These bills do not regulate conduct,
but instead are directed only at the speech of pregnancy
centers (www.protectwomenwa.com,
2011).
Do you oppose bills such as HB 1366 and SB 5274 that
attempt to burden pro-life pregnancy centers?
YES
PUBLIC
LIBRARY PORNOGRAPHY
3. 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."
In 2010,
the Washington State
Supreme Court ruled
that public libraries' use of internet filters does not
violate the state constitution. 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
4. 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,
WASHOUGAL CURRENTLY HAS CODES REGULATING THESE BUSINESSES
ABORTION 5. Do you believe that it is scientifically
accurate to say that
human life begins at
conception?
YES
If not at conception, when? ___ 3 mths ___
6 mths ___ 9 mths ___ 1 yr ___ 18
yrs?
6. 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
7. Is
taking the life of a pre-born child through abortion ever
permissible? Check all that apply:
_____
No, it's never permissible
X
Yes, to save
mother's life
_____
Yes, in cases of rape or incest
_____
Yes, for physical deformity
_____
Yes, for genetic predispositions
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_____
Yes, for gender
_____
Yes, for race
_____
Yes, for economic hardship
_____
Yes, to punish spouse
_____
Yes, it's always permissible
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8.
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 9.
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? I
WOULD NOT SUPPORT PLANNED PARENTHOOD IN WASHOUGAL
GAMING 10. The recently approved casino off I-5 near
Ridgefield would be one of the largest in the nation.
What is your position on the building of this casino?
N/A
CONTRIBUTIONS OF RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS 11.
"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?
YES
If so, you may state here where at:
FAITH-BASED AND NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERSHIPS
12. 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
13. Please state your professional
experience, community involvement, education and other
qualifications for a mayoral or city council position.
EDUCATION: I
have a Bachelors Degree in Management from the University of
Houston.
Past &
Current Boards, Commissions & Liaisons:
Mayor
Pro-Tem (2011)
Finance
Committee (2010, 2011)
Washougal
School Board liaison (2010, 2011)
C-W
Chamber of Commerce liaison (2010)
Stormwater Advisory Committee (2009)
Parks
Board liaison (2009)
Public
Safety Committee (2010)
Community
Development Committee (2008)
RTC Board
alternate (2011)
Ethics
Policy & Review Committee (2011)
Community
Development Committee (2011)
Community
Volunteer Organizations:
Loaves &
Fishes/Meals on Wheels (Delivery Driver)
Girls
Scouts of America (Troop Co-leader)
Washougal
Schools Foundation (Vice President)
The
Stride Coordination Team
14. May LifePac post your returned survey on our
website?
YES
Surveys are posted
only with your permission.
Please give your campaign web address if you have one:
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