• Age: 56.
• Marital status: Married
• Children: Two birth children, two step-children and two foster children; three sons, three daughters and 15 grandchildren.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree from University of Washington, Teacher’s Certification from University of Washington and some post- graduate work at Seattle Pacific Univeristy.
• Occupation: County Councilmember, District 3
• Campaign Web site: www.kathylambert.com
• Campaign e-mail: Kathy@Kathylambert.com
• Top three endorsements: Realtors Association, Citizen’s Alliance for Property Rights, Master Builders
• What are the three biggest challenges facing King County in 2010?
Budget: Budget and spending issues are vitally important. The recession impacts the county budget like family budgets. Revenue has reduced by the decrease in sales tax revenue of 15 percent from last year. This reduction has a negative impact on the general fund which is 76 percent criminal justice costs.
The general fund provides vital services people want from government — courts, jails, sheriff, human services — to break the cycle of crime and public health. Last year the budget was reduced by $93 million and this year will be cut another $56 million.
We have been able to maintain the highest credit rating by making these cuts. At a time with high unemployment, the needed services must be available. The work on prioritization of needs must be clear and transparent with lots of citizen input. The budget meetings are televised and data is available online.
Developing better public trust and accountability: Public trust and accountability are vital to providing effective services and encouraging active participation in government.
The county has an opportunity now as a nonpartisan body to set new direction. There will be a new executive who can implement priorities and standards and comply with best practices that citizens across the entire county need and deserve.
Without quality performance standards and transparent audits, both by the state and county being complied with readily, there will not be unity in the county.
There are many hard working county employees and programs that are successful and have won national awards. These are the types of service levels that need to be increased throughout the county government. All services must be delivered efficiently and effectively with quality customer service, so that citizens will know their government is there to serve and enhance their quality of life in the county.
Flooding issues: The Flood District was formed about two years ago to focus on increasing protection of citizens and their property from flooding, improving the levy systems, and implementing a 10-year plan to prioritize the countywide needs.
This district has already completed many projects and worked in partnership with the Army Corps of Engineers. Since our district has had severe flooding, I supported establishing this district and serve on the executive board of directors.
Recent problems on the Howard Hanson Dam have made it clear to all councilmembers that the needs are great and this plan is vital. There are many proactive efforts being undertaken to plan and train for emergency situations. We all expect that as more projects are completed that flooding problems will be reduced and that the Army Corps will be able to fix the dam so that there will not be more flooding problems.
