Everett City Council Candidate Statement – Judy Tuohy

Editor’s Note: On October 6th MyEverettNews.com sent the following message to all 7 candidates on the general election ballot for Everett City Council. We advised that we would be publishing the response on Saturday October 17th as most voters will be receiving their ballots in the mail this weekend.

Every general election MyEverettNews.com invites candidates for Everett City Council to tell our readers in 400 words or less why they should vote for you. You may have been invited to participate this way in the primary but this is a new election so we are asking for a new submission. In addition to the 400 words we’re asking all candidates to answer the following reader-submitted question…

With the county jail’s new policies restricting taking in those that are currently on drugs, and a surging heroin epidemic that is resulting in increased property crimes…what do we do with the hundreds/thousands of addicts that are avoiding the criminal justice system?

Here is the response received from incumbent Judy Tuohy who is running unopposed for position 7.

I was born in Everett, raised in the Seahurst and Claremont neighborhoods, graduated from both EHS and CWU. For over 20 years I have lead the Schack Art Center as its Executive Director, expanded the county wide programs and raised over $7M in our community to build and expand the Center in downtown Everett. It is a regional draw for our city and was awarded the 2014 Governor’s Award for State Arts Organizations.
I bring over 24 years of business management, analysis and planning, creative approaches to problems and the ability to work together with a broad diversity of citizens to find the right solutions. And a proven track record of working with people to get things done.
I bring a balanced, independent voice to council along with my top priorities:
• Safety in all of our neighborhoods
• Fiscal responsibility and careful management of our resources
• Above all, I will listen to you, the people of our city, as you are the most important asset we have.
Since taking office last November, I have demonstrated leadership with current issues, initiating common sense approach to changes to the interim ordinance for marijuana retail stores, making safety and the Streets Initiative a priority, listening to and responding to our citizen’s concerns. I currently serve as Chair of Public Safety Sub-Committee and the council liaison for Economic Development, Historical Commission, Library Board and work with the Mayor on Governmental Affairs.
We all feel that Everett is poised to take major steps forward. As we see the Waterfront Project take shape with a plan that is a much better fit for Everett, the Riverfront Project getting underway, new hotels & residences throughout out city and the WSU campus. I will continue to work hard to represent the needs of all of our citizens and neighborhoods and help guide our growth. All while keeping a watchful eye on our city finances and always evaluating how we do business so we can be as effective and efficient as possible.
I am honored to represent the citizens of Everett and my endorsements include: 38th Legislative District Democrats, Snohomish County Democratic Party, Everett Firefighters, Everett Transit Union and National Women’s Political Caucus of Washington.

Reader Submitted Question: With the county jail’s new policies restricting taking in those that are currently on drugs, and a surging heroin epidemic that is resulting in increased property crimes…what do we do with the hundreds/thousands of addicts that are avoiding the criminal justice system?

The solution lies with partnerships amongst the county, local city jurisdictions and social service providers.
Before folks can get the help they need, they need to have a safe place to “sober-up”. We need a “Sobering Center”. A safe place where qualified and trained staff monitor them as they sober up from the drugs and alcohol and where they will not be coerced into getting high again before they are even sober. Our community lacks sobering beds to help deal with the problem. All local jurisdictions need to partner on a sobering facility to house the intoxicated until they are sober and able to connect with social services.
Secondly, we need more social services connecting with the folks with addictions to heroin and alcohol; many of those spend the majority of their time throughout our city on the streets. This is accomplished with imbedded social workers with our police forces and the social services expanding their care, housing and connecting with the folks that need them.
This is proven to make a big difference in helping many troubled lives overcome their addictions and making our cities safer and a more comfortable place to live.