Six candidates vie for seats on Tacoma City Council

Six candidates are competing for three seats on Tacoma City Council opening up due to incumbents stepping down because of term limits.

Keven Rojecki, Position 6

Keven Rojecki has lived in Tacoma for 14 years. He is a firefighter with the city of SeaTac.

“From watching city government, I felt my leadership can make a difference.”

Getting the city on sound financial footing requires focusing on priorities. “We need to get back to basics. We have to scale back.”

Rojecki disagrees with forming Tacoma 360, as he feels the school board already has responsibility for what the new agency will deal with.

Zoning regulations for mixed-use centers was a good step toward sustainable development. Next Rojecki wants to focus on development in a handful of them, rather than all 17 at once. Planning should take into account walking, bicycling and mass transit. “It has to be all encompassing. It cannot be just one piece of the pie.”

Rojecki wants the city to have good collaboration with other local governments. “Some of our roles cross over. A great example is the schools. They have a board, but their issues impact the whole city.” Working together can conserve taxpayer money. “If we do not do so to achieve a common vision, it will result in a lack of trust and bigger problems.”

He feels his experience in the state capital representing his union is a strength. “I have connections with the leadership in Olympia. Nobody running has that,” he said. “I bring a fresh perspective. I will not try to solve the same old problems with old ideas.”

Victoria Woodards, Position 6

Victoria Woodards moved to Tacoma when she was 3. After graduating from Lincoln High School, she served in the U.S. Army. After her discharge she attended Pierce College. She is a staff assistant to Pierce County Councilmember Tim Farrell. She has served on Metro Parks Commission since 2004.

Woodards lives in District 5, but opted to run for an at-large position because she has lived in all sections of Tacoma.

The city cannot continue spending its reserves to get through tough economic times, she said. Collaborating with other governments will be more crucial than ever. “We have to collaborate. We have to think outside the box.”

One example is Tacoma 360, which she strongly supports. Collaboration between the city and Metro Parks on park maintenance is another.

From her leadership role in Ethnic Fest to volunteer work with Broadway Center, Woodards feels her active role in the community makes her the best choice for voters. “I know Tacoma. I am a product of the schools. I live, work and play here.” She points to securing state and federal funding for the red wolf exhibit at the zoo and other park projects as another strength.

Marty Campbell, District 4

Marty Campbell owns Buzzards record store and Stadium Video.

Campbell feels the council needs better outreach to residents. Members should spend more time at neighborhood meetings and other functions. “Sometimes I think that gets a little lost by the council.”

Sustainable development needs to be functional and integrated, he said. “The development we have, or that is coming in, needs to fit the scope and character of the neighborhood it is going into.”

Campbell feels the council has a central role to play in collaborating with other governments. He hears many concerns while doorbelling about parks and schools. “We cannot just take that information and bury it.” Long-term economic recovery, he feels, will require every facet of government working together.

Tacoma needs a better landscape for entrepreneurs like himself. “As a business owner, I bring a new perspective to the council.”

Roxanne Murphy, District 4

Roxanne Murphy has worked in community relations with the city. She left to attend Evergreen State College, where she is working on a master’s degree in public administration.

An issue she feels the council could have handled better was the formation of the Broadway local improvement district. “It is a project that is winding up to be beautiful, but people did not understand it at first. People made their own decisions about what the city intended to do.”

Attracting small business to neighborhoods like McKinley Hill should be a bigger priority than attracting large companies to downtown, she said. The city can encourage this through offering the right kind of incentives.

Increased density will encourage more use of mass transit, she feels.

If the city has good relationships with other governments, this will maintain faith in government overall on the part of the public. The port has a role to play in attracting jobs, Metro Parks is crucial to Tacoma’s quality of life and the school district and city can work together to ensure a stronger education system. “I think all the organizations need to work hand in hand.”

Joe Lonergan, District 5

Joe Lonergan works as an advertising representative with The News Tribune.

Sustainable development to Lonergan means creating everything in a neighborhood that people need. “People spend their money where they spend their time. If they live and shop close to home, it frees up time for other things.”

He feels increased height limits will spur development along South Tacoma Way.

Having safe walking conditions for children on their way to school is an example of the need for the city to work closely with Tacoma Public Schools, as the city is responsible for crosswalks and streetlights. “We need to work together because our resources are scarce. If we can come together we can go farther than if we go alone, especially when working toward common goals.”

He would like to see the city collaborate with Puyallup Tribe on exploring extending light rail, or perhaps establishing a streetcar system, that would service the East Side. The two governments may be able to leverage funds for such a project.

Lonergan said he will work well in a team environment if elected, while keeping in touch with constituents.

“I want to change that perception they have had for years, not without merit, that the South End has been on the short end of the deal.”

Beckie Summers Kirby

District 5

Beckie Summers Kirby’s most recent public position was serving on Tacoma Public Library Board.

She feels the council is not doing a good enough job at communicating with the public.

She wants the discourse on sustainable development to include senior citizens. She mentioned Gibson House, a retirement facility on Pacific Avenue. Many residents are on fixed incomes and face a rising cost of living. “When talking about affordable housing, we need to talk about making sure everyone has a roof over their head.”

With dwindling revenues, the need for the city to collaborate with other governments is more important than ever. “We can’t do it without that cooperation. I think the council needs to be a leader in building those relationships.”

Summers Kirby was laid off from her job a few months ago. She feels she can bring the perspective of a working-class person to the council. “It is a scary time for a lot of people. There is a lot of insecurity out there.”

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