Meet Liz Aspen, Candidate for Woodinville City Council

What is your full, legal name?

Lizbeth R. Aspen

Where do you work and what is your job title?

Shoreline School District, Einstein Middle School – Security Monitor

Age?

52

Where do you live now and how long have you lived there?

Woodinville, Washington since 1981

Spouse or domestic partner if any:

Spouse

Children:

2 boys

Education (include graduation date(s), if any):

BA Business Administration, Seattle Pacific University 1981

Memberships and affiliations with clubs and other organizations:

Partnership for Youth Justice, juvenile deferment court

Member Cascade Bicycle Club

Have you or a business you owned (or had principal interest in) ever filed bankruptcy?

No

As an adult, have you been convicted or charged with a crime other than a minor traffic violation?

No

CAMPAIGN INFORMATION:

Website: lizaspen.com
Email address: laspen@frontier.com
Phone number: 425-483-8528
Campaign manager:
Campaign manager contact information:

PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE(S):

Elected: Woodinville City Council 2008

Other campaigns for public office:
None

What is the primary reason you are running for this office?

I would like to continue the work I have been involved with for the City of Woodinville.

What will be your top three priorities if you get elected and why?

Priorities will be to stimulate economic development in Woodinville. The City was greatly impacted by the enactment of the streamline sales tax by the State, losing significant revenue for the City from sales tax. We need to find new sources of sales tax revenue which will enable us to continue to maintain our infrastructure such as traffic improvements, new grid roads for greater mobility throughout the City and safer non-motorized access for neighborhoods to move about and have accessibility to the downtown region. We need to have a clear plan for the downtown core that promotes desirable mixed development of businesses and residential. Our current downtown master plan is good and needs to be finalized by the Council.

It is important to keep our “hometown community” feel through City wide special events, community programs and citizen involvement. We suffered a great loss to our community when the Council (not me) voted to close our Community Center and lay off the entire recreation staff. The recreation department organized our Holiday Light Festival, Harvest Festival and Celebrate Woodinville activities on Parade Day as well as the many recreation programs and classes offered to the community. Having lived here for 30 years I have seen the community develop and come together through these many City sponsored events. I have heard from many citizens of their frustration and disappointment in losing this asset and their desire to maintain our close family oriented community. I hope to bring citizens and businesses together through partnerships to bring back these events and services to Woodinville.

It is essential to maintain our solid financial position through prudent budgeting. The entire country has felt the impact of the recession and I am committed to keeping Woodinville running smoothly without accessing our reserves or raising taxes. We will continue to do more with less without compromising the services our citizens receive.

What sets you apart from the other candidates and/or previous office holders?

I have lived in Woodinville for 30 years and have raised my two sons here. I have been very involved in the community serving on a citizen advisory panel, volunteering in the teen lounge for many years, serving as a Parks and Recreation Commissioner for nine years. My entire family has been involved in many volunteer events throughout the years. I feel a deep sense of commitment to our citizens to bring forth their wishes for keeping Woodinville a great place to live, work and play.

How much money do you expect your campaign to spend on this election?

Not very much because I am running unopposed.