Candidate Statement From Demi Chatters For Everett City Council District 5

Editor’s Note: On September 19th candidates in the November 2nd General Election for Mayor, Everett City Council Districts, Everett School Board and Port of Everett Commissioner were invited to send a statement up to 500 words to MyEverettNews.com introducing themselves to our readers. Not all of the candidates responded but we are publishing unedited statements from those that did reply by our deadline. MyEverettNews.com does not endorse candidates but thinks this is a good way for you to hear directly from the people running. All offices are non-partisan.

My name is Demi Chatters and I’m running for the Everett City Council in District 5 because working families need to be represented at the decision-making table. As a working-mom of four and member of a 3rd generation union family, that is exactly what I will do.

I am a former small business owner who has worked in the real estate industry and public service agencies in King and Snohomish County. My volunteer experience includes working with organizations that serve children and marginalized communities, and community advocacy work focused on supporting high-quality student experiences in public education spaces. My educational background is in business, marketing, and leadership, and I am currently the Director of Operations at a local law firm, and a Snohomish County Human Rights Commissioner.

I take every opportunity I can to talk with community members. I listen to stories of dissatisfaction around a lot of issues, like the ways working families and small businesses continue to be strained by the pandemic, around housing costs and availability, and around concerns about public safety in our neighborhoods and on our streets. I hear from folks who rely on public transportation, or who wish they could rely on it, but are dissatisfied with gaps in service. I hear from folks who wish there were a nearby park that their kids could safely walk to, or who want sidewalks or curb ramps in their neighborhoods for strollers, mobility scooters or wheel chairs. I hear about ways our city could better meet the needs of South Everett residents by establishing an accessible south end Senior Center; creating community garden spaces and small, walkable parks embedded in neighborhoods; and by modifying Everett’s home-based occupation laws to allow more opportunities for entrepreneurs to start businesses in their own homes.

As your District 5 City Councilmember, I will continue to listen to diverse perspectives and ideas, and will work to serve the whole community. I will advocate for programs and investments that have positive impacts in our neighborhoods and homes, and that keep people safe. And I will oppose those that are ineffective, or that do more harm than good.

Everett also has serious challenges to confront, like our unhoused crisis and structural budget deficit. To meet these challenges, I will support regional partnerships that bring resources into Everett and ensure that surrounding areas are contributing to solving this regional homelessness crisis. I will advocate for full transparency by sending comprehensive proposals directly to voters that will lead to long-term financial health for the city.

If we work together to invest and advance solutions that work for working people, we can preserve and expand our green spaces while building a thriving and sustainable local economy that supports the future Everett we want to see. But I cannot work for you unless you cast your ballot for me. Vote for Demi Chatters by November 2nd. Learn more and see my extensive list of endorsements by local elected leaders and community organizations at www.votefordemi.com. Thank you!