Ahead of the November 2023 elections, the Renton Reporter sent the same set of questions to every Renton City Council candidate. These are their responses. You can read more on rentonreporter.com.
Q: What are some of the most important problems facing the Renton community, and how do you intend to address them?
Valerie O’Halloran, Council Position No. 3 (incumbent):
“Safety and crime continue to be at the top of many of our neighbors’ minds. It is the conversation that I have most frequently, regardless of neighborhood. I’ve heard stories of mail theft, of vandalism, of car prowls, and of burglaries. It is clear that we must do more to stem this tide of crime in our city and region.
First, I believe we must invest in community policing. This gets police officers out of their cars and engaging with our residents, building trust between the police department and our neighbors. Remember the old “Beat Cop”? A community policing program is part of that ounce of prevention that we need to prevent the pound of cure down the road.
Second, we must make sure that our police department has the resources they need to do their jobs. Finally, we have to be actively pursuing innovation and creativity in our police department. Whether it’s reducing response time or building out prevention programs, our police department can and should be looking for new solutions in our continually growing and changing region. As technology changes, so must our ways of harnessing it to keep our communities safe.”
Erica J. Conway, Council Position No. 3 (candidate):
“One of the critical issues we must address is public safety. Through my involvement with the Police Chief’s Community Council, I have gained valuable insights into the needs of our neighborhoods. I am committed to fostering positive and engaging relationships between our police department and the community. Together, we will build trust, transparency, and accountability The rise of homelessness within King County demands our immediate attention. In Renton, we must embrace compassion, accountability, and community as guiding principles to tackle this issue.
Affordable housing is another pressing concern. With 55% of Renton residents being renters, it is crucial that we collaborate with federal and state governments to secure funding for programs that assist residents in purchasing low-income housing and developing mixed-income neighborhoods.“
Q: What are some of your own achievements that you believe speak to your qualifications to be elected or re-elected to the council?
Valerie O’Halloran, Council Position No. 3 (incumbent):
“Our city requires strong leadership and commitment to develop smart policy solutions. As a Renton City Councilmember, I have worked to ensure Renton is a place people are proud to call home, focusing on the issues that truly impact Renton residents’ everyday lives – working to ensure a strong economy, bringing more jobs, reducing crime and homelessness, supporting inclusive polices, expanding access to housing, tackling our city’s transportation and traffic issues, and balancing a sustainable municipal budget.
I am proud to have earned the Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership from the Association of Washington Cities.
My 30 years of finance experience have been put to good use ensuring that our tax dollars are spent effectively. During my first year as a councilmember in 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, I made sure our biennial budget was balanced in what could have been one of the worst revenue periods in our history. I have served 3 years on the Finance Committee (2 of them as Chair) committed to sustainable budgets that provide the quality services the people of Renton deserve.
One of my priorities was also elevating the conversation about Municipal response to Climate Change. Under my advocacy, we now have a Clean Economy Strategy that serves as a roadmap of local policies to reduce Renton’s greenhouse gas emissions, enhance environmental sustainability and prepare for climate change, while maintaining and building a strong economy. This strategy identifies over 30 action items that the City will begin implementing this year. Both the Public Works and Community and Economic Development departments have been reorganized with a focus on climate preparedness.
As a Council we have many achievements in the last four years that I am very proud of, from welcoming the Sounders to Renton to increasing the availability of affordable housing.”
Erica J. Conway, Council Position No. 3 (candidate):
“I hold a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Criminal Justice. I’ve been employed with King County Superior Court for over 23 years as a supervisor in Criminal Department. I’m currently serving my 2nd term as Vice President 2 with the Seattle King County NAACP. I’ve served as president of a local school PTA, I’ve served on boards that practice the Robert’s Rules. I’m actively involved in the community.”
Q: What does the role of city council member mean to you? How will you use it to improve the community?
Valerie O’Halloran, Council Position No. 3 (incumbent):
“I have been volunteering in Renton in a variety of capacities for 25+ years, including on the Renton Regional Community Foundation Board of Directors for nine years. I believe in service to the community and I view my role as Councilmember as taking that service to a different level. I am honored and humbled to be part of making sometimes very tough decisions, always with an eye to what is best for the community as a whole, now and into the future.
My top priority will always be our residents here in Renton. I’m proud to fight for our city at every turn. I am proud to bring folks voices to the table and to advocate for our neighborhoods, our streets, and our safety.
I am running to continue to put Renton residents’ priorities at the forefront of the City Council’s decision-making. When re-elected, I will continue to fight for you on the issues that matter the most:
· Improving public safety and community health
· Supporting a strong economy that creates local jobs in Renton
· Continuing to address our transportation and traffic issues so you can get around easier
· Ensuring we have a variety of affordable housing options that allow residents to thrive here
I am committed to leading Renton into our new chapter and to continue to advocate for our residents at every turn.”
Erica J. Conway, Council Position No. 3 (candidate):
“The role of a council member is essential to the city, in my view the goal is to develop ordinances, creating and maintaining a budget that would grow and improve the city. I believe it’s important to listen and understand the needs of the residents, which would help shape the decisions I make as a council member. All too often council members forget the people they are elected to represent.”
Q: In what ways has the Renton City Council recently fallen short in solving some of the city’s problems, and how will you look to improve upon the council’s efforts in the future?
Valerie O’Halloran, Council Position No. 3 (incumbent):
“Economic development has been going well here in Renton but there is always room for improvement, particularly in being thoughtful about the diversity of businesses based here and how they fit into our community and the community we want to be. I believe that we must focus on retaining quality jobs that provide a living wage for workers and their families. We must retain our place as the center of the aerospace industry and I will work to keep those jobs right here.
I believe that we must be intentional about the businesses we recruit to Renton, ensuring that there is enough variety in the kinds of businesses and the kinds of jobs they offer so that every resident can work here. Whether a tech CEO or a frontline manufacturing worker, we should be looking at ways to expand the job market and create jobs across the spectrum of work.
Additionally, I believe that we must cut red tape for small businesses and support business ownership by our residents here in our city. Small business ownership makes up the fabric of a strong, vibrant, and prosperous local economy and I will continue to fight for our small business owners on the Renton City Council.”
Erica J. Conway, Council Position No. 3 (candidate):
“Renton City Council has fallen short in solving some of the city’s problems by not truly addressing the needs of the community, our community deserves more than the status quo. I meet the community where they are, by holding community meetings throughout Renton to hear from the community, it’s important for the community to hold council members accountable.”
