Thurston County Commissioner Karen Valenzuela Receives 55% of the Votes Counted on November 3!
Thank you everyone in Thurston County who took the time
to vote for what you believe is best for this county. The final count won't be official until November 17th but all indications are that Karen Valenzuela will be the winner in this year's General Election race for County Commissioner!
Again, thank YOU for all of the support you've given during this campaign. It absolutely could not have been done without you. Please, give yourselves a big pat on the back for your efforts and an extra scoop of ice cream for good measure!
Thank you for your interest in my campaign for Thurston County Commissioner
It is an honor to serve the citizens of Thurston County as your County Commissioner. I hope I will earn your respect, trust, and support through the energy I put into this important job and the decisions I make during these tough economic times.
I moved to Thurston County more than twenty years ago, after finishing a Masters in Public Administration at the University of Washington. I’ve worked for the state legislature and the Department of Health, and volunteered in many ways in the community. I am a mother of two, and grandmother of three. When I’m not working, you’ll find me walking, bicycling, and gardening. I have a passion for life, and the quality of life in Thurston County makes this the place I chose to live. I will work tirelessly to keep Thurston County a place where people want to live, work and raise their children.
I was appointed to the Tumwater Planning Commission in 1996 and to the Tumwater City Council in 1999. I was elected twice to the City Council, serving a total of nine years before my appointment to the County Commission on the retirement of my dear friend, Bob Macleod. As a result, I have no illusions about what this job entails. I approach it with open eyes to the challenges, a big heart to watch out for our most vulnerable neighbors and strong arms for the heavy lifting ahead.
Our County is in a tough situation, with revenues falling to recession levels, while the costs of our criminal justice system continue to rise. The Sheriff’s office, the jail, and the courts consume about three-quarters of our County general fund budget, and managing these costs must be a top concern.
Some Items of Interest
Thurston County Connection - Farm to Market Video
Clean air and clean water are crucial issues facing our community. There are environmental imperatives that we cannot ignore, such as ensuring that our water supplies are not polluted, and working to clean up Puget Sound. Our County has had a critical areas ordinance in development for nearly a decade; completing this is a high priority for me.
Managing growth, so that we can afford to provide quality public services, is also important. I want to preserve our best agricultural lands, because having nearby farms that sell food in our local Farmer’s Markets (Tumwater, Olympia, and Lacey) is a form of self-reliance I consider crucial. I have a five-point action plan that I am already at work on:
1. Bring sanity to the budget
2. Return to the letter and spirit of the growth management act
3. Confront climate change
4. Re-engage in Human Services’ partnerships
5. Work on inter-jurisdictional cooperation
Please support me this November in the special election to fill the remainder of the term to which I was appointed.
-Karen