BIOGRAPHY
My candidacy focuses on my belief in limited government,
fiscal restraint, law and order, personal responsibility and education. My
experience is broad and extensive. My
desire is sincere and strong.
Background:
I was born in Kansas, raised and worked on the family farm until my 18th birthday. My
family still owns that farm. I was
an eight year member of 4-H. Upon
graduating from High School, I enlisted in the US Navy and six years later was
honorably discharged. This began my
learning of leadership and public service. My
last duty was at
Whidbey Island
and knew I had found a new home in Washington
State
.
I entered Law Enforcement and served 22 years, retiring
from the Edmonds
(Washington) Police Department as a Sergeant. I
was awarded Police Officer of the Year, twice– once by the American Legion and
the second by the City; I served as the Shop Steward for my fellow officers in Teamsters Union Local 763. My
last assignment was Chief of Detectives.
In our department we were qualified in every facet from
administration to homicide to school safety; from traffic to narcotics to crime
prevention.
After retiring, I started my own successful business in Monroe,
Washington
(Sporting Goods) and in my free time I managed Poulsen Farm (miniature horses)
in Marysville. I sold the business
in 1998 and in 1999 my wife and I retired again.
We moved to beautiful
Grays Harbor
County
and purchased a home in Ocean
Shores. Having served my country and my
home communities all my life, I offered my service to the citizens of Ocean
Shores
and was elected to a four year term on the City Council.
In addition to the extensive legislative knowledge I received during my
term, which included working on the budgets, I was also elected by my peers as
Mayor pro tem and served two years in
that position.
As liaison from the Council to the Port
of Grays Harbor, I became very well acquainted with
Grays Harbor
government and citizen needs on the Harbor. Accomplishments
while I served were: the final settlement of a lawsuit that hung over the
city’s head for years; completion of several successful labor negotiations;
the building (with existing funds) of a satellite fire station; and the
new Convention Center—financed by existing state taxes and not by city taxes.
We moved from Ocean
Shores
in 2005 to Montesano, where we attend church, own our home and are proud to
remain a part of Grays HarborCounty
.
My wife, Kathi, and I have two daughters, and two
grandsons. My hobbies are
photography, web site design and serving as secretary to the USS Ranger Museum
Foundation.
I am well experienced in both County and State laws, rules,
and regulations.
- I
have worked as a farmer, police officer, merchant, business manager, and in
political leadership (Council member).
- I am
familiar with State and County laws, rules and regulations.
- Earned
an Associates Degree in Arts & Sciences, from Everett
Community College
Community Activist and Associations:
- Served
as President,
Washington
State
Law Enforcement Association (Life Member)
- Served
as Liaison to the Grays Harbor
Port
Commission
- Served
as an Ocean
Shores
Planning Commissioner
- Served
as a Diking District Commissioner
- Received
the USS Ranger Museum Foundation, Distinguished Service Award 2006
- Received
the 2008
Grays Harbor
Republican Party Lifetime Achievement Award
- Received
the KOSW Radio Ocean Shores 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award
- Life
member NRA
- Life
member Vietnam Veterans of America
- Life
member Washington Arms Collectors
- Life
member National Association of Naval Photographers
- Member
of VFW Post 2455, Montesano.
- Member
of the Retired Deputy Sheriffs and Police Officers Association
- Past
member of Monroe Merchants Association.
- I
initiated the creation of
Ocean
Shores
public radio station KOSW-LPFM
- I am
a volunteer webmaster to several organizations.
I serve on the USS Ranger Museum Foundation (a IRC
501c3) non-profit Board of Directors, as Secretary, our
goal is preserving this historic aircraft carrier as a Portland, OR, museum,
event and educational center.Continue
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