POULSBO — Ken Thomas would like to serve a full term on the Poulsbo City Council, but if Amanda Cheatham is elected, he thinks she’d do a fine job.

Cheatham says the same of Thomas.

Both have similar goals: Safe neighborhoods, protection of the natural environment and bolstering community interest in local government.

But they have different ideas on how to accomplish those goals, as different as their backgrounds and experiences.

Cheatham is a self-described “hometown girl” — a fourth-generation Poulsbo resident who briefly moved away, then returned to raise her daughter here because she wanted her to have the same experience growing-up that she had. She earned her associate’s degree at Olympic College, works in customer service for the Kitsap Public Utility District and is executive director of the Miss West Sound Scholarship Organization.

Thomas served as a city council member in Goodyear, Arizona, in 1977-78, when he was in his early 20s. He went on to earn degrees in political science, public administration and education, and served a career as a Navy officer. He was introduced to Poulsbo in 1986 when he was stationed at Bangor — “I knew this was the place where I wanted to spend the rest of my life” — and moved here in 2009. He was appointed to the Poulsbo City Council in January to complete the term vacated by Linda Berry-Maraist.

The candidates sat with members of the Herald staff and community advisory board on Aug. 24. Here’s how they compare on issues and priorities:

Cheatham, 40, wants to promote the local economy (more unique events to draw visitors, such as a Bite of Poulsbo; and, on Viking Avenue, a “Guys’ Night,” similar to downtown’s Girls’ Night Out); improve public safety (better street lighting and sidewalks where needed); and engage residents to improve participation in local government.

She supports maintaining the city’s open spaces, and worries about loss of trees to development. She would like to see a program that encourages residents to plant trees, similar to the annual daffodil planting that takes place.

“It’s about being responsible stewards of our environment,” she said. “We want to leave our earth better than we found it.”

She supports the expansion of free Wi-Fi in the city (that’s something her employer is working on) and feels it could benefit business and local government.

In Municipal Court, she believes there should be a program similar to the alternative courts on the Superior Court level. Some people can’t afford to pay their fines, and that only leads to more issues. Perhaps community service is the answer. “Laying down fines is not the best way,” she said. “We need to find avenues so they do not reoffend.”

She supports placing an advisory measure on the ballot to gauge residents’ support for marijuana retail sales in the city. The council opposes marijuana retail sales and collective gardens, and didn’t zone for them.

“The council should know what their constituents think,” she said.

She believes she’d bring gender balance to the council — of seven current members, there is one female member.

Thomas, 62, would engage residents by working closely with neighborhood associations to promote activities in more areas of the city.

He wants to maintain the natural surroundings. “The surrounding natural beauty, the ridges and woods within the city, the distinct neighborhoods bound by pathways and streets that unify the entire city — these are all things which should be protected and enhanced,” he said on his website.

At the Herald, he added, “Go across the Sound and you’ll see the results of uncontrolled growth.”

He’d like to see the same organized effort on Viking Avenue that downtown has, with events that draw people there.

“The Chamber of Commerce, the Historic Downtown Poulsbo Association, the Sons of Norway all have things that draw people downtown,” he said. “The city has a role to play” in encouraging the same activity on Viking Avenue.

Regarding the use of technology to improve city efficiency, he said the city is beginning to employ remote sensoring systems for its wastewater lift stations and its water meters. Those sensors enable utilities workers to monitor systems remotely, and even shut off and turn them on as needed.

Thomas raised the issue of local court alternatives in the meeting at the Herald. Like Cheatham, he believes there should be a program similar to the alternative courts on the Superior Court level, perhaps enabling people to work off their fines rather than accumulate debt.

He supports placing an advisory measure on the ballot to gauge residents’ support for retail marijuana sales within the city limits.

“Marijuana is legal in the state of Washington. The issue here is the business of selling,” he said. “Cities have the authority to zone for businesses, and the Association of Washington Cities determined that we can’t be forced [to zone for marijuana] with a binding vote. But it would be helpful to have sense of what the public wants.”

Thomas pointed out that the city’s population is diversifying, and he wants to make sure all people have a voice in the city.

“All of these are citizens of Poulsbo and their perspectives, combined with the immigrant pioneer Norwegian heritage of the city founders, must be considered whenever city policy is made,” he said.

THE CANDIDATES AND THEIR PRIORITIES

AMANDA CHEATHAM
from Amanda4CityCouncil.com
1. Work to retain local businesses and spur economic development in the community.

2. Utilize local educational resources to help young people learn the necessary skills to enter the workforce.

3. Place renewed emphasis on keeping neighborhoods safe, by working with local organizations and law enforcement groups.

4. Improve local government’s engagement with the community.

KENNETH THOMAS
from thomas4poulsbo.com
1. The surrounding natural beauty, the ridges and woods within the city, the distinct neighborhoods bound by pathways and streets that unify the entire city should be protected and enhanced.

2. All citizens of Poulsbo and their perspectives, combined with the immigrant pioneer Norwegian heritage of the city founders, must be considered whenever city policy is made.

3. A balanced approach to economic growth, making sure visitors continue to frequent our city but ensuring that local citizens can live their daily lives, earn sufficient income, and enjoy Poulsbo as well.

4. Wise budgeting, efficient use of existing resources, and the willingness to finance needed infrastructure.

5. Work with neighboring cities to ensure that regional development is appropriate to preserve or enhance the character of our community.

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CANDIDATE FUN FACTS
— Ken Thomas was at one time the youngest person in the history of Goodyear, Arizona, to serve on the city council. He was 21 when he became a council member.

— Amanda Cheatham’s grandfather, Arne Jacobson (1918-1998) ran for mayor in 1960. He received the Bronze Star for service in World War II, worked for PSNS and Bangor, fished in Alaska, and owned and operated Arne’s Cafe.