Lisa Griebel
I grew up on a farm outside a small town in Western Kansas. I love that Ocean Shores has that small-town feel I enjoyed growing up. I have two adult children. My husband, Doug, and I bought our home in 2010 and have been full-time residents since 2013. We look forward to enjoying our town well into the future.
My education includes a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a master’s in school counseling, and an educational endorsement in education administration.
Prior elected office: Appointed to City Council in August 2016. I’m a novice, enthusiastically learning more and more every day!
Public Service: As a principal, educator and school administrator, I believe I have participated in public service every day of my career. People familiar with educators know that we spend countless additional hours at our schools doing what is best for our kids, their families and the community.
Since moving to Ocean Shores, I have assisted with various community service activities and belonged to the Woof-a-thon board, library board, and currently serve on the Dreamscape Condominiums board. July 4th you could find me handing garbage bags out to our visitors at a beach approach.
Current job: Principal of Miller Junior High, Aberdeen School District; Property owner 2010; Full-time resident 2013.
Do you favor the Point Brown Avenue redesign project moving forward, and if so, which of the alternatives do you favor and what suggestions do you have for funding?
Traveling to Ocean Shores since the early 1990s, I always found the business area of Point Brown to be difficult, and sometimes dangerous, to navigate on foot. The area from the city gates to the roundabout makes the first impression on our city’s guests. Our entrance should be visually appealing and safe to travel. I support the redesign of Point Brown, but at this point in the project I am still undecided as to the best course of action. I want the area redone so it is safe for drivers, bikers and pedestrians. However, those most impacted need direct and transparent input. The project should be funded in a fiscally sound manner in a way that does not incur additional burden on our citizens. If I am not satisfied those three items occur, I will not support moving forward with the project at this time.
The city faces a dilemma with funding set to expire for seven firefighters. Do you favor retaining these positions, why or why not, and if so, how would suggest they be paid for?
Since moving here full time four years ago, I have personally experienced the quality care provided in emergency situations. They assisted my spouse, a trapped worker, and two cardiac victims in my condo building. After participating in Fire Ops 101 Training, I more clearly understand how physically and emotionally draining firefighting activities are. I gained a better understanding of a fire department’s ability to save lives with an increased firefighter staff. I support retaining the staff and aspire to support this during the upcoming budgeting cycle.
What three items of public interest and benefit would you propose as a council member and what three items would you like to see changed in the city of Ocean Shores?
I became a council member out of a spirit of community service, not to champion a specific cause. However, since serving and learning, three areas of improvement that would enhance Ocean Shores include:
More efficient council meetings. Our council could work more efficiently with one another and the community in a number of ways. Study session times should be regularly scheduled just as council meetings are. Topics would be added as needed to the preset study session times. There should be additional Standing and Adhoc council committees to do research and involve citizens at the ground level on pressing topics. This information could be brought to the entire council for more streamlined consideration.
Adopt environmental principles. Just as we are adopting budgeting principles, we need to adopt environmental principles. This is a breathtakingly beautiful place to live. I would like future generations to experience the abundant outdoor ecosystems here. We need to make city decisions that not only support current living, but preserve this land and water for the years to come.
Work together with other city and county organizations. We need a way to effectively work together to provide services to those in our community with needs. Work has begun in this area with the North Beach School District’s Ad Hoc Committee on Hunger and Homelessness and the City Council’s committee on Health and Safety.
Some areas I suggest needing change include:
Code enforcement and abatement. Our current staff is engaged in the process of making necessary changes to the city ordinances around nuisance and chronic nuisance properties. I believe abatement funds should be addressed, and increased, in the upcoming budget cycle.
Public relations/promotion. Ocean Shores needs a more consistent and coordinated way to promote both visiting and living here. This should include social media and websites. Additionally, our citizens deserve to be kept informed on the progress of all city projects.
Safety. There are many ways we could create a safer city. One way is to reactivate the Police Advisory Board. This puts police and citizens together to examine issues and create solutions.
Would you continue the city’s contract with the Pinnacle Group to help manage and market the Ocean Shores Convention Center, and what suggestions do you have for the facility in the long term?
At this time, I support using the short-term recommendations of the Pinnacle Report to make needed changes to the operation of the facility. I believe our city and staff can institute many of these suggestions in order to improve. I believe further conversation and study is necessary before moving forward with the long- term recommendations. I expect it to be addressed in the upcoming budget cycle.
