A vacancy on the Ocean Shores City Council in Position 5 drew a lot of attention and interest, eventually going to Lisa Scott just a few months ago. She filed for election, and will face four challengers on the Aug. 3 primary ballot.
That’s a lot of candidates and a lot of different viewpoints, so let’s get right to it; their responses to a Daily World questionnaire are listed below in the order received.
Lorraine Hardin
Biography
My husband and I purchased our home here in 2009 and moved from Auburn permanently in 2011. We are both retired, which gives us time to volunteer for a variety of nonprofit organizations. I am heavily involved with Stage West Community Theatre as board secretary and director, and also with the Ocean Shores Food Bank as treasurer.
Why did you decide to run this year?
I ran in 2019 and came just under 60 votes of unseating the incumbent. I decided to run for Position 5 after that, when the council member in that seat announced he was not going to run again. I believe I can make a positive addition to the council through leadership and honesty. I encourage participation in city government by all of our community. It is my opinion this is achieved through open dialogue and tapping the vast experience of our residents.
What is the number one issue facing Ocean Shores in the immediate future, and how would you tackle that issue?
Rapid growth without a growth management plan. Our Planning Commission works hard to develop a working comprehensive plan; it is up to the council to determine how to manage the pursuit of the goals that plan envisions. Today we typically try to catch up with the problems growth can present. We have an obligation to take control and decide how we will avoid the pitfalls while achieving best practices for the entire community. I want to be part of a council that all believe this is not only possible, but practical.
The city is experiencing unprecedented growth. How would you work to balance that growth with available resources, and maintain Ocean Shores’ coastal community allure?
As above, by addressing the growth with manageable plans and practical goals. We must maintain green spaces for our wildlife. We must maintain our fresh waterways for safe recreation pursuits. We must use predictive models to maintain working infrastructure for the next 20 years.
Robert Doering
Biography
I was raised in the Maple Valley area. As an adult my employment and interest have had me move to the American Virgin Isles, Hawaii and Colorado Springs. I have an awareness of culture that most only see on vacation. That is probably why I’m a social scientist, and I’m working on my Masters in Sociology to instruct at the college level. I have lived in some very large tourist areas and understand the culture from both sides.
Why did you decide to run this year?
I built my own home out here in Ocean Shores. This home was built for the legacy for my children to keep after I’m gone. So, the concept was help me build it. However, that dream came to an abrupt hold when I see our local government starting to unravel. Moreover, lawsuits, and runaway spending. Or, as I see it, nonsense spending, $216,000 on a crosswalk, or trying to buy a movie theater to basically tear down to build a City Hall — that was it for me. So, my goal is helping the residents with reasonable solutions that don’t require any more LIDS (local improvement districts) that can take someone’s home away because they are on a fixed income. That is the reason I’m running to help make changes to the government so the retired people’s homes and lots don’t end up at the city auctions.
What is the number one issue facing Ocean Shores in the immediate future, and how would you tackle that issue?
Spending! We need things as a city, but it must be prioritized. Moreover, just because the city pays thousands for a study, or a consultant to say this is the way, it is not necessarily the right way. The city needs to put money in the bank for these items instead of “let’s vote on a LID.” Spend money when you have money is priority one. I know how bureaucracies work by working at the King County library system to Fortune 100 companies, and a bachelor’s degree in social sciences. So I know where to look and when to look at, let’s just say, nonsense.
The city is experiencing unprecedented growth. How would you work to balance that growth with available resources, and maintain Ocean Shores’ coastal community allure?
The city started with 12,000 planned lots, and it was designed for dwellings with some green belts. I do not view the city with unprecedented growth, but expected growth, 12,000 planed lots. The biggest problem was the city government not hiring temp contractors for the permit offices and support staff for the support of getting foundations on the ground. I go right back to the city bureaucracy as the problem. Where are the intern programs that could have fed the departments the people needed? And what is the coastal community allure? A path to the beach? An overpriced cheese burger? This needs to be sorted out, and stopping someone from developing their lot is not the answer.
Lisa Scott
Biography
I have been raised in Grays Harbor where my parents still operate a small family owned business that they purchased in 1979. I graduated from Montesano High School, and then attended Grays Harbor College for two years where I earned an Associate of Arts Degree. I then attended Eastern Washington University where I graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Technical Writing/Communications. After college, I was lucky enough to have been able to move back to Grays Harbor in 1992 where I worked for the Port of Grays Harbor for eight years before landing at the city of Aberdeen where I still work today. I moved to Ocean Shores in 2013 and with the exception of two years in the middle, where I moved out to the county, I have lived here. I have worked for the city of Aberdeen for over 21 years with the last 15 serving as the Director of Community Development, which oversees the building, code compliance, planning and the Property Maintenance Division.
Why did you decide to run this year?
I am running because serving the local community is my passion. I have been in the public sector my entire life. I have made a commitment to serving the public. My mom served on the Montesano City Council for 13 years where I would attend the meetings with her and fell in love with the process. I always wanted to run for City Council and give back to the community and share the knowledge that I have learned over the years. Ocean Shores is such an amazing community that has an immense amount of potential to shine even brighter than it already does. I want to be a part of making history and growing Ocean Shores in a sound and balanced way.
What is the number one issue facing Ocean Shores in the immediate future, and how would you tackle that issue?
There are many, many issues that are facing Ocean Shores. As a City Council, the best thing we can do is work together to prioritize the items and budget accordingly. We need to start checking items off of the priority list. We can no longer afford to kick the can down the road. This is the first time in a very long while that we have some money to start tackling issues. With that said, I believe the number one issue we have facing us is public safety. We have an understaffed Fire/EMS Department. We have an understaffed Police Department. We as City Council need to give them the tools necessary to function in today’s climate. We have a south-end station that needs to be manned so that our businesses and residences are not paying higher fire insurance rates than the rest of the city. Our police station is operating out of a building that was built for residential uses and is not holding up well. Ocean Shores lacks the staff to handle the call volumes we are facing.
The city is experiencing unprecedented growth. How would you work to balance that growth with available resources, and maintain Ocean Shores’ coastal community allure?
Ocean Shores was platted and designed to handle the growth; however, we, as a city, need to maintain our infrastructure so that we can continue to provide services to our citizens. Water and sewer systems need to be maintained and updated. Roadways need to be taken care of. Our fresh waterways need to be maintained with a solid plan and funding. Our golf course needs to be maintained with a solid plan and funding. These are all city assets, that in order to balance the growth, need to be maintained. The best thing we can do for our citizens is to work with them and together as elected council and start prioritizing and setting budgets that can accomplish this.
Edgar Schroll
Biography
I have been a full-time resident of Ocean Shores since 2012, and property owner since 1999. I have continuously volunteered with the Ocean Shores Food Bank, senior center and library. I also served as a board member and president of Associated Arts of Ocean Shores for eight years. In 2012, I started a nonprofit in Cambodia, Caring for Poor and Orphaned Children, providing access to clean water and education. To date we have completed 22 community wells providing clean drinking water to hundreds of villagers.
Why did you decide to run this year?
As an independent, self-funded candidate, I will come in on day one and listen to ideas from all sides and viewpoints. I vow that whenever a policy proposal is brought forth that I believe will benefit the people of Ocean Shores, I will enthusiastically support it, and work to ensure it is enacted as promised. I also vow that when a policy proposal is brought forth that I believe will hurt the people of Ocean Shores, or will cater only to special interests, I will not only work to defeat it, but provide a commonsense counter proposal. My one and only priority will be to serve in the best interests of all of us.
What is the number one issue facing Ocean Shores in the immediate future, and how would you tackle that issue?
Let’s talk about our 20-year failure to provide safe access and egress along our Point Brown business corridor, primarily sidewalks. At best, this stretch of Point Brown is difficult to navigate even in the off season. Let’s keep in mind that our school children, our residents, our handicapped community along with our tourists all have to navigate this section of road along with cars and delivery trucks. While I understand that there are no easy answers, there seems to be little consensus between the city and our business community regarding this project. I also understand the financial impact of a project this size. However, if we are going to be a true tourist destination, then we need to invest in the future, this infrastructure will keep our residents and tourists safe.
The city is experiencing unprecedented growth. How would you work to balance that growth with available resources, and maintain Ocean Shores’ coastal community allure?
This growth has a positive impact in many aspects, such as increased property values. However, this housing boom also directly contributes to an increase in property taxes, which is an enormous challenge for residents on a limited or fixed income. My property taxes have doubled since 2016, and I know this upsurge causes concern for many other members of our community.
Irresponsible overgrowth will lead to the destruction of our wildlife, and will ultimately lead to the demise of our business community and the reason why many of us moved here in the first place. I propose that the city purchase distressed and foreclosed properties and simply keep them undeveloped to ensure greens spaces continue to enhance the beauty and environmental quality of our neighborhoods. We also need to get serious about maintaining our water ways. Investment in wildlife conservation is an investment in our community’s future.
Patrick Daugherty
Biography
I served in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged. After spending 40 years in the trucking industry, 30 of which as the owner of a small independent trucking company, I decided to retire in the the small town of Ocean Shores three years ago. I volunteered my time to the community distributing food through ‘Farms To Family’ hosted by the North Beach Senior Center, as well as the Ocean Shores Food Bank, which provides for members of Ocean Shores Cares. I am currently Vice President of the Lion’s Club and assisted through the pandemic whenever needed.
Why did you decide to run this year?
As we have recently seen, there are many willing to manipulate the residents of Ocean Shores for their own agenda. The difference between myself and opponents is that I’m just an ordinary citizen who wants to truly represent “We The People” for the betterment of Ocean Shores, not self gain. I support the Constitution, our Second Amendment, American values and stand for our great American Flag.
What is the number one issue facing Ocean Shores in the immediate future, and how would you tackle that issue?
Transparency and accountability. I will fight to ensure taxpaying citizens know where their hard earned money is going and how it is being allocated, which has been lacking in recent years. Double talk and the run around, vague answers and the inability to learn of any litigation involving Ocean Shores has been the norm. I aim to put an end to it by establishing transparency.
The city is experiencing unprecedented growth. How would you work to balance that growth with available resources, and maintain Ocean Shores’ coastal community allure?
They key to our growing community is responsibly and transparency in utilizing our resources, as well as access to the City Council. A major concern is the number of businesses that have left Ocean Shores. I will strive to lure new business that will bring much needed dollars back into the community because only then can the city withstand fast-paced growth moving further into the 21st century. As the community grows, the need for medical facilities will be in demand. This will require the expansion of not only EMT availability via the fire department, but also an Urgent Care facility. This can easily be accomplished by using the resources already available within the Ocean Sunset Pharmacy. Plans were in progress to open it as a walk-in facility, however, due to the pandemic it’s been delayed. I will make it a top priority to be implemented as soon as possible.
