Thanks!
Karen Rogers
Monday, May 25, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Policies
Our Community...
Our community is facing challenging times, and not just economically. We are at a crossroads, and the decisions we make now will permanently determine what our community becomes and looks like. We have a lot of hard questions.
Economy
A friend of mine who raised both of his daughters here in Olympia asked me, "What's going to happen to our C students? Will there be livable-wage jobs for them, or do you need to be a straight-A student or have a Masters degree in public administration to stay here?" We need to create a strong, sustainable and diverse economy that reaches people of all skills.
Development
How do we grow without losing the character of our community? How do we redevelop downtown in a way that promotes small business, market-rate housing, arts and culture, while keeping Olympia's natural beauty? We can do this, but we must do it thoughtfully and carefully. After all, what we do now is what our future generations will inherit.
City Government
We are a community that knows what good government means, and we know what it takes. It takes citizens who care and participate, and a Council that listens and respects the community. It also takes responsible management, smart budgeting, and good use of our excellent City staff.
Our community is facing challenging times, and not just economically. We are at a crossroads, and the decisions we make now will permanently determine what our community becomes and looks like. We have a lot of hard questions.
Economy
A friend of mine who raised both of his daughters here in Olympia asked me, "What's going to happen to our C students? Will there be livable-wage jobs for them, or do you need to be a straight-A student or have a Masters degree in public administration to stay here?" We need to create a strong, sustainable and diverse economy that reaches people of all skills.
Development
How do we grow without losing the character of our community? How do we redevelop downtown in a way that promotes small business, market-rate housing, arts and culture, while keeping Olympia's natural beauty? We can do this, but we must do it thoughtfully and carefully. After all, what we do now is what our future generations will inherit.
City Government
We are a community that knows what good government means, and we know what it takes. It takes citizens who care and participate, and a Council that listens and respects the community. It also takes responsible management, smart budgeting, and good use of our excellent City staff.
Biography
When I visited Olympia for the first time, I was amazed. What I saw was stunning natural beauty, caring and exceptionally involved people, and a community with tremendous confidence. The friends I was visiting said to me, "Karen, you have to move here. It's perfect for you." I agreed. Half a year later, I rented a moving truck, loading up my dogs, and came here to stay.
Since moving to Olympia, I have worked for the Department of Ecology, and the Washington State House of Representatives, where I helped write the bill creating the Puget Sound Partnership. I am now working for the Washington State Liquor Control Board as a rules coordinator and policy specialist.
I am also an active participant in the community. I serve on the City of Olympia Utility Advisory Committee, and the Thurston County Planning Commission.
My professional experience includes writing policy, managing public projects, and advising elected officials. I have worked with the public, our community, the City of Olympia, the business community, legislators, the Governor's Office, and other local, federal and tribal governments. While with the Department of Ecology, I had the particular pleasure of working with our community and City government, and learning about our community's current and future growth and economic needs.
My academic background is a Bachelor of Arts in political science, and a Master of Science in wetland ecology.
Since moving to Olympia, I have worked for the Department of Ecology, and the Washington State House of Representatives, where I helped write the bill creating the Puget Sound Partnership. I am now working for the Washington State Liquor Control Board as a rules coordinator and policy specialist.
I am also an active participant in the community. I serve on the City of Olympia Utility Advisory Committee, and the Thurston County Planning Commission.
My professional experience includes writing policy, managing public projects, and advising elected officials. I have worked with the public, our community, the City of Olympia, the business community, legislators, the Governor's Office, and other local, federal and tribal governments. While with the Department of Ecology, I had the particular pleasure of working with our community and City government, and learning about our community's current and future growth and economic needs.
My academic background is a Bachelor of Arts in political science, and a Master of Science in wetland ecology.
Why I'm Running
Olympia is my home and public service is my passion. I was raised in a family that believed strongly in community involvement. At an early age, I learned the importance of taking an active role in shaping the community in which I live. My belief is public first, and my goal is to get things done.
Leading our community is quite a task, and I feel that I have much to offer: energy, passion, skills, experience, direction, and commitment. I will work hard for you, and more importantly, I will listen.
Good Leadership
Good leadership begins with reaching out to the community and collectively deciding what is most important to us. Once we know our priorities and what we value most, we know our goals. From there, we can plan, and we can do.
Values
This is truly an incredible community. We care about family, each other, and our quality of life. We believe in responsible government and civic participation. Most of all, we back up our words through action. I have every faith in our community, and am confident that we will achieve our goals while respecting our values.
What I Can Promise You
I will work hard for you, and I will listen. I will try my best to keep an open mind, and to be respectful of people whose opinions are different than mine. Most importantly, I will always remember that Olympia belongs to all of us, not just to some.
Leading our community is quite a task, and I feel that I have much to offer: energy, passion, skills, experience, direction, and commitment. I will work hard for you, and more importantly, I will listen.
Good Leadership
Good leadership begins with reaching out to the community and collectively deciding what is most important to us. Once we know our priorities and what we value most, we know our goals. From there, we can plan, and we can do.
Values
This is truly an incredible community. We care about family, each other, and our quality of life. We believe in responsible government and civic participation. Most of all, we back up our words through action. I have every faith in our community, and am confident that we will achieve our goals while respecting our values.
What I Can Promise You
I will work hard for you, and I will listen. I will try my best to keep an open mind, and to be respectful of people whose opinions are different than mine. Most importantly, I will always remember that Olympia belongs to all of us, not just to some.
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