My name is Jackie Minchew and I want to represent you on the Everett City Council!

Since moving to Everett in July, 1990, I have come to feel more at home here than any place I have lived in my life.  Our two mountain ranges, the river and the sound, the farms and the forests – all combine to make this a most wonderful place to live. 

Upon becoming politically active in 2003, I quickly came to understand that we have an obligation to this most wonderful place – and to one another.  So I stepped forward to offer my services to my city and to my neighbors.  Along the way, I have had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with many Everett citizens about the issues that are important to them.

My own issues, informed by the concerns of my fellow citizens, continue to evolve.

I believe the heart and soul of Everett is its people.  The well-being of our people - young and old, rich and poor – should be at the core of every decision the City Council makes.  While I salute the council's efforts to up-scale our waterfront, riverfront and downtown core, I lament what is happening at the other end of the economic spectrum; to the people at risk of being  displaced as a result of the determined gentrification of our traditionally working class city.

I believe our economic development efforts should be directed toward the creation of a strong, resilient, sustainable and, to the extent possible, a self-reliant local economy.

I believe this local economy should be based on small businesses and entrepreneurship. By tapping the creative genius of our own community, we can stimulate our local economy from the ground up.

I believe that issues of diversity, equality and social justice are as real today as they have ever been.

I am unwavering in my belief that global issues of economic instability, resource depletion and a warming climate have local implications.  There are steps we can and must take to mitigate the impact of these issues.  Local and regional government MUST take the lead in these efforts.

I believe that a city of 100,000 souls deserves more equally distributed representation on its City Council than Everett currently has.  With 5 of 7 sitting Council Members living in the same neighborhood, I believe we can do better.

And I believe that publicly-funded campaigns are the next, necessary step towards removing the influence of special interests on our elected officials.

Finally, I strongly believe there is a place on the Everett City Council for an intelligent, thoughtful and assertive voice that is willing to challenge the status quo!

My name is Jackie Minchew and I want to represent you on the Everett City Council!