Carrie throws her hat in the mayoral ring….

Carrie's running...

We sure get good candidates for offices around here…Library bookkeeper & Town Council member Carrie Lacher wrote to tell me (and you) that she’s running for David Jones’ seat when he retires later this year. Here’s more from Carrie’s press release, announcing she’s in:

Carrie Lacher, Town Councilmember, announced today her bid for the Mayorship of Friday Harbor in the upcoming election. “Over the past year and a half that I have been a member of the Town Council, I believe I have clearly demonstrated my commitment to a sustainable future for our community,” noted Carrie. “Community, commitment, and cooperation, that’s what it’s about.”

Carrie, an Island resident since 1994, is currently the Chair of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee and serves as the town representative to the Housing Bank Commission and the Joint Town-County Planning Policy Committee.
“We have some unique opportunities ahead to work in cooperation with the County to achieve important goals for our Town and our Island.” Carrie pointed to the recent decision by the County Council to reopen negotiations with the Town on the siting of the new Transfer Station and the recent decision by the Town Council to annex a portion of the Urban Growth Area. “These are key examples of critical issues that present us with an opportunity to rebuild a mutually beneficial relationship between the Town and the County.”

“My current passion is effective government,” Carrie said. “I have attended several sessions offered by the Association of Washington Cities and will be attending their annual conference in June.” Taking advantage of such events has provided essential municipal leadership training and important networking opportunities. Carrie also has a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Northwestern University and a Master’s of Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Washington.

Carrie currently works at the San Juan Island Library as bookkeeper and general library staff. She continues to keep the books for St. Francis Catholic Church where she had been the business administrator for about 5 years after selling her clothing boutique, Ten Cannery Landing. Carrie was also Assistant Director of San Juan Community Home Trust during the period it was developing the Salal Neighborhood on Carter Avenue.

“I’ve worked with boards, parents, customers, tourists, and kids. I’m creative but detail oriented. I enjoy change and visioning while keeping a close eye on the bottom line and being respectful of our Island history and traditions,” Carrie explained. “You need that kind of adaptability and commitment to consensus building to lead a Council and a community into a solid and vibrant future.”

“Over the 15 years that I have lived and worked on San Juan Island, I have interacted regularly with those workers and families who help to keep our Town functioning but who, because of our island economy, are struggling to establish deep roots like our pioneer families were able to do,” Carrie said. “Through my work at the Home Trust and at St. Francis, I came to know many families who are working hard to make a stable life for themselves and their children. As a former island preschool teacher, I know of the challenges facing our young families and the challenges facing our young residents as well. As a past Town merchant I am personally aware of the unique financial and staffing concerns of our many small business owners, particularly in these uniquely challenging economic times.”

A Salal homeowner since 2004, Carrie has come to appreciate the importance of affordable housing in creating and sustaining a viable, diverse community. “I have learned first hand how empowering and transformative the stability of homeownership is for people, especially young families.” Carrie also noted the Town’s history of working closely with affordable housing groups and Town staff’s current hard work regarding the Buck annexation as important indicators of flexible and creative thinking when it comes to challenging issues. “Infrastructure – streets, sewer and water – these are big topics now and even more so in the years ahead. A Council and a staff that are prepared to bring all their skills to the table and work hard together is key.”

“I’m not afraid of hard work. In fact I’m very good at it,” Carrie said. “I like rolling up my sleeves and diving in. I am committed to doing what it takes to ensure a vibrant and sustainable future for all of our residents, now and for generations to come.”

You can reach Carrie at 378-2785, at [email protected] or visit www.carrielacher.blogspot.com.

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