The Ocean Shores City Council on Monday returned to a full seven-member body after five of the sitting members chose Jeff Daniel from among five people who applied for the open Position No. 2 seat.
Daniel, a real estate managing broker for John L. Scott, also has been a Planning Commission member and is Chamber of Commerce president. Daniel’s application noted he has been an Ocean shores resident since 2005, and also lists the following local highlights: Parks Board Chair (2007), Ocean Shores Little League baseball and soccer coach (2007-08) and “top-producing real estate broker in Ocean Shores since 2008.”
“I believe that Ocean Shores is a beach town, not a retirement community, and I believe that this town has a long way to go before we can realize our full potential,” Daniel said in remarks Monday night.
Daniel listed 12 priorities: Erosion control at the North Jetty/tsunami evacuation protection/dune management/deer control/Pt. Brown sidewalks and traffic improvements/hire a full-time city administrator/ cleanup of fresh waterways/a new stoplight at Hogan’s Corner/improving the Ocean Lake Way and Pt. Brown intersection/legalization of short-term vacation rentals on the city’s coastal side/public art showcases/creation of walking-bike-riding loop from downtown to Damon Point.
He called the erosion problem at the North Jetty the “single biggest problem facing the city today.” Daniel also noted the city staffing levels have been depleted since the recession of the past decade.
“Our city staff are barely able to function today with the population increases we have had, and our tourist counts are way up,” he said. “The city staffing levels have got to increase.”
Other applicants were:
• Lorraine Hardin, whose application stated: “I have been instrumental in settling disputes and moving companies forward to goals in their efforts to grow and change with their communities. My strengths are in finding tools to help people who disagree to work together for the greater good.”
• David Linn, a 10-year resident who said he has been “an active advocate for environmental and wildlife issues” with a broad educational background including a BS in mathematics, an MBA and completion of a PhD program. Career includes a manufacturing engineer, a college instructor, researcher and real estate investment manager and consultant. “I am able to ask questions, voice my opinion and listen to the opinions of others. I am not afraid of compromise between divergent positions and relish the challenge of finding solutions to problems.”
• Carlos Roldan, who noted he was a candidate for the Position No. 7 seat in April that was filled by Diane Solem after the death of two-time Council member Robert Crumpacker. “My agenda is to listen to the people that pay the city bills,” Roldan said in his new application. “Vote on what is best for the community, not what a small few want.”
• Kathryn Sprigg also submitted her application for the Position No. 7 seat last spring. She retired three years ago from the Highline School District, where she was director of Assessment, Research and Evaluation. She has completed her doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy at Seattle University: “This experience and my demonstrated perseverance make me uniquely qualified to help with the decisions that council members make on behalf of our city.”
Daniel was chosen after each applicant answered the same set of three questions. His nomination was put forward by Council member Bob Peterson, and then seconded by Steve Ensley. The only member not to cast a vote for Daniel was Susan Conniry, who first offered Sprigg as a nomination but did not get a second.
Daniel said his view of Ocean Shores in 10 years would be one of “enhanced services for our citizens and our visitors,” including better medical services.
He fills the seat vacated after Holly Plackett moved to Hawaii last month, setting up the second Council vote for a replacement in the past year. Daniel will serve through 2019, when four other council positions will be on the November 2019 general election ballot.
