ALICIA CLAYTON, KATRIN DEEG, CORINNA ADAMS, & NICOLE THEBERGE

County Council At Large Representative

Whatcom County Council At-Large Representative

What is the role of Whatcom County Council?

• Public Works and Safety Committee • Health Committee• The Whatcom County Board of Health

 What is the role of the Council At-Large Representative?  

Who currently holds the position?   

Who is running now?   Bill Knutzen      Laurie Caskey-Schreiber   

Laurie Caskey-Schreiber

Current Occupation/Employer: Administrative Service Manager, Sociology Department, WWU

Significant Career Experience: Current member of the Whatcom County Council (two years as Council Chair, on the Public Works and Safety Committee, six years on Planning Committee and current Chair), also serves as the Board chairperson of the Northwest Clean Air Agency, Board member of the Opportunity Council, and serve on the Marine Resources Committee.

Elected Experience: Whatcom County Council from 2001-present.

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Communications from WWU.

Family: Married to a law enforcement officer, Tom Schreiber, aunt of Peyton and Dane Caskey. 4th generation native to Whatcom County.

“I share your vision that Whatcom County is a wonderful place to live and work.”

“Question #1: Health reform and funding decisions are made at the Federal and state levels. At the same time, significant disparities exist between health outcomes for lower-income Whatcom County

residents and the general population. If elected, what would you do to promote the health and wellness of all Whatcom County residents, particularly families

and workers living in poverty?”   (Inclusivehousing.info, 2009)

Laurie Caskey-Schreiber responds to Qs. 1

 

Advocates for everyone to have access to healthcare,

On the Board of the Opportunity Council,

Board member of the Northwest Clean Air Agency,

Lobbies for state funds to be used to retro-fit all of the state diesel school buses

“Question #5: What is your general philosophy of local government's role and responsibility toward

helping families move out of poverty and achieve self sufficiency? How can elected officials set policy that helps make it possible for low-income households to

become economically self-sufficient?”

(Inclusivehousing.info, 2009)

Laurie Caskey-Schreiber responds to Qs. 5

Sales tax increase to enhance our mental and behavioral health services in our community.

Provide options for people to help themselves, then we will be meeting the needs for our citizens.

Head Start program for children, and we will also have a food bank, as well as services for seniors.

Laurie’s favorite quote is, "We all do better, when we all do better."   

Laurie Caskey-Schreiber's Ideology

Environmentalist 1. Respect Earth and life in all its diversity2. Care for the community of life with understanding, compassion, and love3. Build democratic societies that are just, participatory, sustainable, and peaceful4. Secure Earth's bounty and beauty for present and future generations (Sargent, 2009, p. 281)  

Bill Knutzen

Current Occupation/Employer: Owner, Communication 2000, a provider of cell phones, service and accessories with 14 employees

Significant Career Experience: Successful small business owner since 1997 with stores in Lynden, Ferndale and Burlington. 16 years with Edaleen Dairy milking cows and delivering milk. Worked as a finish carpenter and plumber at different times.

Elected Experience: School Board, Ebenezer Christian School, 2001-2005

Education: Lynden High School, classes at Skagit Community College and Whatcom Community College, and school of hard knocks

Family: Sandy, wife of 20 years; children Darrell, 14, Elana, 16, Amanda, 20; Tucker, mini schnauzer; cats Snickers, Kit Kat and Carmella

“I’m just a regular guy working hard to provide for my family and run a business.”

“Question #1: Health reform and funding decisions are made at the Federal and state levels. At the same time, significant disparities exist between health outcomes for lower-income Whatcom County

residents and the general population. If elected, what would you do to promote the health and wellness of all Whatcom County residents, particularly families

and workers living in poverty?”   (Inclusivehousing.info, 2009)

Bill Knutzen - Question 1

Work with local organizations such as Opportunity Council and Church on the Street to help low income families.

Encourage local businesses to promote employment opportunities

“Question #5: What is your general philosophy of local government's role and responsibility toward helping families move out of poverty and achieve

self sufficiency? How can elected officials set policy that helps make it possible for low-income

households to become economically self-sufficient?”

(Inclusivehousing.info, 2009)

Bill Knutzen and his answer to Qs. 5

Wants Job GrowthLess taxes!Less regulation!Bring jobs to our communities. YAY ENTREPENEURS!

“My multi-location business experience has taught me that it can work. When business is good, good people are needed.”

Knutzen doesn’t like how council has tried to bring new jobs or save jobs now.

“I have worked with people of all ages and backgrounds. People should be able find work that can suit them, and business growth will provide that.”

Knutzen Ideology: Conservatism

Sargent (2009) described the principles of Democratic Capitalism as having these characteristics:

"Free market with no government intervention in the economy“ "The profit motive as the driving force" (p. 109).

Social beliefs of conservatives center around the “home, family and religion” (Sargent, 2009, p. 148).

Fiscally, conservatives favor capitalism and “opposition to most government regulations of the economy, and support for a balanced budget” (Sargent, 2009, p. 148).

 

Laurie Caskey-Schreiber & Bill KnutzenCounty At-Large Representative

Questions?

References

Caskey-Schrieber, L. (2009). Laurie-Caskey-Schrieber.

Retrieved on September 29, 2009, from

www.laurie-caskey-schrieber.org

Inclusivehousing.info. (2009). Community Human Services Questionnaire for

Bellingham/Whatcom County Candidates. Retrieved October 12, 2009, from http

://inclusivehousing.info/candidates

Sargent, L.T. (2005). Contemporary political ideologies: A comparative analysis (13th Ed.).

Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.

Taylor, S. (2009, August 2). County Council At-Large candidates talk growth, watershed protection. The

Bellingham Herald. Retrieved September 29, 2009 from

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/elections/story/1011456.htm

Whatcom County Council at-large. (2009). Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber or Commerce

and Industry. Retrieved October 13, 2009, from

http://www.bellingham.com/content/election_2009/whatcom_atlarge.asp

Whatcom County Washington. (2007). County Council. Retrieved October 11, 2009, from http

://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/council/