Issue statements from Lake Forest Park Council candidates Colberg and Thompson

Issue statements from Lake Forest Park Council candidates Colberg and Thompson

Lake Forest Park City Council candidates Jason Colberg and Hilda Thompson are running for the position that Councilwoman Sandy Koppenol is giving up.

Here are statements about campaign issues from the two candidates:

Jason Colberg

LFP residents are affected by property tax rates, commercial zoning, city ordinances, federal, state and county jurisdiction, funding and regulation. City relations and community involvement are part of the heartbeat of LFP. Jason Colberg, 44, a graduate of Montana State and LFP resident since 2002, brings leadership and a commitment to building community ties and strengthening an already thriving city.

As a home-owning, property-tax paying citizen, he cares about where his money is going, how it is spent, and would expand the revenue base by encouraging home-based businesses in LFP. A married father of two, Colberg cares about what LFP has to offer families in all aspects — from education, to natural resources, safety and future growth. Running for LFP City Council will allow Colberg to give input on decisions that will shape the future of LFP and preserve its present strengths.

Colberg has observed existing LFP leadership (including City Administrator Pete Rose, Mayor Goss, Council members Jeff Johnson and John Wright) and commends them for positive changes using fewer tax dollars. Of note is the recent rejection of the largest property tax increase in LFP history. Colberg looks forward to working with this qualified team and adding his experience and perspective.

Hilda Thompson

The most important issue facing Lake Forest Park is one you can see by walking down your street. Do you feel safe day and night? Are the sidewalks and pedestrian crossings safe? Are the streets themselves well-maintained? How about the roads – now cramped with traffic from the spillover of commuters heading around the lake to avoid paying the new 520 bridge toll? Our government: do you feel in touch with the city's decisions?

We live here because LFP has continually afforded us a great quality of life at a lower cost than surrounding cities. But that quality of life is at risk. Our roads are too congested, the parks not well kept up, police protection is compromised by budget cuts, and city council deliberations are more contentious than collaborative.

It’s time for a new generation of leaders to add our voices towards a better LFP. Born and raised here, I am committed to increasing the quality neighborhoods and to increasing your access to city council decisions through public participation where you don’t have to go to long meetings.

I’ll work towards a LFP that will be the region's proud example of how we can live in consort with our great environment.