Meet Jack Vermeulen, Candidate for Woodinville Water District Board of Commissioners

What is your full, legal name? 

Jack A. Vermeulen

Where do you work and what is your job title?

Retired - CEO of a computer hardware and software consulting firm

Age?

67

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

Woodinville, I have lived here since 1972, 39 years

Spouse or domestic partner if any:

Debbie Vermeulen

Children:

Katrina, Michael, Kristen

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

U.W. BS Math, Physics 1965, MS Math courses, Computer Science: IBM, Boeing multiple years

Military Service (include year(s) of discharge, if any):

1966-1968 US Army - Statistical Analyst

Memberships and affiliations with clubs and other organizations:

1961 BHS Alumni Class, occasional boat clubs and equine organizations

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:

Web site:  www.voteJack2011.com
Email address: voteJack2011@gmail.com
Phone number: 425-483-6935
Campaign manager: none


PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE(S):

Elected: none

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

I live in the Rural Area of Woodinville. Like many of you, the reason I moved here in 1972 was to enjoy the sound of trees, not high density.

In examining the Woodinville Water District policies, I discovered not only lax management, but also district goals that are contrary to all of us in the rural area. They put our whole life style at risk by wasting your money (= higher rates) and developing goals that are not ours.

For example, there are NO written standards for filling out expense reports. My opponent charges to drive to the commissioner meetings - a total distance of 2 miles. She charges (and receives from the District) $104 to appear at garden club events, takes $2000 trips and other flagrant expenses that are inappropriate for a commissioner. The total expenses charged like this for her last term are over $35,000 for a non-salaried position! I find all of this outrageous behavior. It is just the tip of the iceberg of self-serving expenses that have gone on long enough.

Another egregious example: There has been a great cover up regarding the forcing of sewer hookups. The district has passed a resolution (3027) that says you must hook up to sewer if a sewer passes within 300 ft of your home. Yet they claimed for years that was not true. Only when confronted did they finally admit that was true. Yet they still dare to dismiss this as not something to worry about.

Finally, they have a legislative agenda that clearly states they want to change the laws. So although they say they only follow planned land uses, they have developed a written goal of changing water permit use and the way a city can take over a water district. Changing existing laws is not where I think a water district should expend it's time or money.

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

Be an advocate for Rural Area goals and listen to you. These goals also overlap with the goals of City residents. We share the passion of keeping our current density. Keep our lifestyle affordable by not being forced to pay for sewers if we have a perfectly fine septic system.

Make the district accountable at every level for all expenses and examining methods to reduce waste and overlap (something that just now has occurred to the current commissioners). My goal is to expand only where there is a direct requirement.

Remove the onerous 3027 resolution that can move some of you out of your homes. This is not an idle worry. It can easily cost you over $25,000 and for certain will double you monthly WWD bill.

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

I have a much broader background than any current commissioner. I have worked with and designed for large engineering constructing companies, developed cost accounting computer systems and developed software for controlling various mechanical systems (ATMs, environmental control, communications). With my background and experience, I understand not only accounting but also engineering drawings and specifications.

Running a private business makes one appreciate costs. A government agency should not consider rate payers as an endless resource, but instead should consider how they can "make a profit". It's not about how little we can raise rates, it should be how can we reduce rates - a novel concept to the current commissioners.

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

Under $5000

Official endorsements:

See website for endorsements as they become available

Editor's Note: the candidate mistakenly sent Patch the incorrect number of years he has lived in Woodinville, it is now correct.