Lovel Pratt - running for County Council

San Juan County Planning Commissioner Lovel Pratt has announced her candidacy for the County Council District #1, San Juan Island South.

Lovel has years of experience working and volunteering in local county government, agriculture, affordable housing, and education. She was first appointed to the SJC Planning Commission in 1999 and was chair for two years. In 2003, the Journal named her 'Citizen of the Year' for her work as Executive Director of the San Juan Community Home Trust.

"I feel very qualified for this position," she said, "and will focus on several areas where I know I can make a difference:

• I am a strong team player and work well in committee and in collective decision-making groups. I look forward to working with all the other members of the County Council towards solutions in the best interests of our community.

• I will work towards a more inclusive public participation process. Decisions should be made with plenty of public participation. We're a small enough community that this is practical - people with different views and interests can meet face to face and work to arrive at a best possible solution.

• San Juan County faces challenges - such as ferry transportation - that can only be solved with the active cooperation of our State Legislature. I will commit to going to Olympia when the legislature is in session at least one day a month, regardless of compensation, to work with our legislators on county issues that must be addressed at the state level."

Lovel moved to San Juan Island in 1991 and lives with her husband Boyd Pratt (Chair of the SJI School Board) and their two youngest children, Theo and Elwyn. Lovel and Boyd raised produce, sheep and chickens, and operated a CSA for 12 years. Lovel has been a volunteer firefighter, a WSU Extension Food Systems Education Coordinator, is currently the Project Director for the San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild, and is an active volunteer in the schools and with the San Juan Public Schools Foundation.

"I'm looking forward to campaigning and especially to meeting with my potential constituents and other county residents to hear about their concerns and goals for our community."

Lovel can be reached at [email protected]