Position 5 Questionnaire: Chris Ross

Chris Ross

Questionnaire

Name: Chris Ross

Position: 5

General

Why are you running for Sammamish City Council?

With a looming financial crisis for the first time in our city’s history, it is imperative we have councilmembers that carefully select opportunities that have positive impacts on improving traffic, sustaining our infrastructure, and preserving our environment.  I am the only Candidate with proven financial skills and experience to effectively address Sammamish’s emerging fiscal challenges. Community leaders and citizens have encouraged me to run for Council to help the city navigate through this critical period.  I am answering a call for action to achieve our community goals while protecting the citizens from unnecessary tax burdens due to poor planning.

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Position 3 City Council Candidate Questionnaires today

Today Sammamish Comment publishes the candidate questionnaires of Position 3 for City Council.

Position 3

The candidates are Minal Ghassemieh, Karen Howe and Karen Moran.

The candidate responses are printed verbatim. The Comment only checked their responses for spelling and grammar. Each response is in its own post, so scroll down on The Comment’s Home Page to see each response.

The responses were reviewed and processed by Jen Baisch.

Position 3 Questionnaire: Minal Ghassemieh

Minal Ghassemieh

Questionnaire

Name: Minal Ghassemieh

Position: 3

General

Why are you running for Sammamish City Council?

I am running for Sammamish City Council because I am competent to tackle the issues and compassionate about our growing community.  I am competent because I have great deal of education and experience to offer in leading the residents of Sammamish.  I also offer a strong but compassionate voice being a mom, attorney, and lifelong community organizer.

I was born and raised in Washington State.  I received my Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Washington School of Business and Juris Doctorate from Gonzaga University School of Law.  I have spent the last nine years practicing immigration law, and providing pro bono services to low-income clients.  I am Board Chair of API Chaya, a Seattle-based agency that provides services to survivors of violence. In sum, I am a competent and compassionate individual who will advocate for fair policies that benefit our entire community.

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Position 3 Questionnaire: Karen Howe

Karen Howe

Karen Howe

Sammamish City Council Position 3

General

Why are you running for Sammamish City Council?

Public service is a way to make a positive difference in our community. I want to contribute my skills to add resources for Sammamish, such as substantial grants and partnerships to offset costs, and to help preserve our “livability.”

Managing growth means careful, data-driven assessments to ensure growth pays for growth and that ordinances protecting the environment are strengthened and adhered to.

Choices we make now will dictate the future of the City for decades to come. I’ve lived and volunteered here for 25 years. I want to put my senior management and fiscal experience to work on our growth and traffic challenges.

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Position 3 Questionnaire: Karen Moran

Karen Moran

Name: KAREN MORAN               

Position: #3

General

Why are you running for Sammamish City Council?

I have been involved in the Sammamish area for 30 years.  I was one of the two that filed for our incorporation. I have sat on the Planning Advisory Board (helping write our city’s comprehensive plan), Parks Commission, Planning Commission, KC Eastside Metro Transit Committee and currently am Water Commissioner for Sammamish Plateau Water.   I have experience and knowledge that I believe is extremely valuable at this juncture in the to the city’s development.

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