• Age: 51.
• Marital status: Married to Sherry Stilin.
• Children: Matthew, and twins Nicholas and Benjamin.
• Education: University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Bachelor of Business Administration, Management Information Systems.
• Occupation: Retired Microsoft April 2000, currently serving in Redmond as Chair, Redmond Arts Commission, Co-Chair Viewpoint Neighborhood Citizens Advisory Committee, and entering 10th year of volunteering daily at Norman Rockwell Elementary School.
• Campaign Web site: www.stilinforcouncil.com
• Campaign e-mail: john@stilinforcouncil.com
• Top 3 endorsements: Nancy McCormick, Redmond City Council President; Tina Livingston, Norman Rockwell Elementary School Principal; Christine Hoffmann, Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce President/CEO
• What are the three biggest challenges facing the City of Redmond in 2010?
1. Connecting citizens with local government.
We must first strengthen our community by connecting citizens with each other and their local government to prepare for the challenges of the future. As more people move to Redmond, we will face new challenges and opportunities brought by people of different backgrounds and social beliefs. When we come together as a community we learn more about each others’ needs, wants and desires. When local government is open and accessible to the community, citizens learn more about the challenges of operating a city such as Redmond. I will encourage events and practices that foster communication and interaction between citizens, elected officials, and other participants in our civic processes. Working together as a community we can meet any challenge and produce positive results.
2. Managing growth.
Growth is not inevitable; however decline is when growth is not managed effectively. Managing growth in Redmond extends beyond simply building more housing and transportation. Growth management in Redmond must sustainably encompass the economic, cultural, education, and social needs of our community. As Redmond continues to grow we need to make wise choices on how we utilize and reuse our scarce land resources to provide maximum benefit to our community. I will carefully study how Redmond’s growth and development policies affect citizens’ daily lives and the economic, social, and cultural aspects of our community. Managing growth effectively with citizen input will ensure that we create a community we are proud to call “home.”
3. Developing transportation options.
Redmond is uniquely situated geographically and economically. We are located on a major east-west crossroad, SR 520, within King County and have attracted more jobs than citizens to our community. Therefore, transportation must move people effectively in, out, and around Redmond and support the economic vitality of our city. Sound Transit Light Rail is an important step in connecting Redmond to the regional transportation system and economic engine of King County. However, Light Rail alone will not solve our transportation and economic needs. I want to see Redmond take a balanced approach to transportation by providing options that meet the lifestyles of citizens and workers that travel within Redmond every day.
I will advocate for multi-modal transportation solutions that encompass pedestrian, bike, auto, bus, rail, and other forms of mobility that enhance the quality of life in Redmond for citizens of all economic means.
