Vote for Fred Obee for a responsive Port Townsend City Council!

Is the Port Townsend  City Council on the right track? Is it addressing the most pressing problems the city faces? Is it being responsive to concerns city residents are expressing?

In many cases, I think the answer to these questions is no.  Instead of becoming more open and responsive to criticisms, council members circle the wagons and lash out at critics on social media. Instead of re-evaluating ideas when plans prove impossible or unpopular, they march on toward the same goals. I'm running for the city council in the hope that I can help swing the council back toward openness and decisions based on careful analysis, community input and a commitment to fairness. 

Here are a few of my thoughts:

• Addressing affordable housing is critically important, and I support the changes already in place that allow for more duplexes, fourplexes, tiny homes and cottages.  Adopted in 2023, over time these changes will produce a broader mix of housing options for residents. Other incentives can and should be explored as we learn from other communities who have developed cost effective and proven solutions.

• I oppose carving 10 acres out of the Camas Prairie Golf Park and rezoning it for housing.  The volunteers now managing the golf course are doing a great job of maintaining the property and encouraging broad community use. They deserve long-term support, not changes that would upend or doom their efforts.

• I’m in favor of putting the repair of aging streets, water and sewer lines at the top of the city’s agenda. Some progress has been made, but we can and should do more.

• I think the city's "sustainability project," which identifies ways to pay for future expenses relies too much on speculative ideas, like annexation of the Glen Cove Industrial Area or approval of a Metropolitan Park District.

• I’m in favor of greater transparency in city government and clearer communications with residents. We need to work harder at collecting accurate community input and explaining the pros and cons of proposals so Port Townsend residents have a clear idea of the choices we face. If we do that, the city will develop in a way we all can endorse.

Photo is me with two of my grandchildren, Atlas 5, and Rowan, 3.

Thanks for visiting. If you can contribute a few bucks to my campaign, I will be forever grateful. Yard signs, brochures, ads, it all costs money. No cash, I get it! Leave a short statement on why you support my candidacy on the endorsement page. That would be beautiful! Thanks!!!