To help the City of Kirkland get “back on the train,” former Planning Commission member Matt Gregory is running for Council Position 5, currently held by Mayor Jim Lauinger.
Gregory will vie for the seat with Planning Commission member Karen Tennyson, and Ford of Kirkland CFO Amy Walen. Lauinger announced he will not run for re-election.
A Planning Commission member for 10 years until last March, Gregory says he is running because “I had a lot of people ask me to run. I feel I’m ready.”
The 30-year Kirkland resident recently served on the Lake Washington School Board and this week was elected as a trustee to the Lake Washington School Foundation.
“I would bring my leadership, both in the region and city, and my experience of living in the city,” Gregory said. “I’ve been involved in all 13 neighborhoods in Kirkland at some time.”
As a council member, Gregory said he hopes to get Kirkland back on the “TRAIN,” which stands for transportation, revitalization, affordability, invention and neighborhoods.
Transportation
Kirkland does not have a 24-seven bus service, Gregory said.
“The Totem Lake situation is still a mess and we still have problems with inner-city connectivity. I’m hoping to help better those situations.”
Revitalization
Gregory said it’s time the City’s economic engine gets a “jump start,” particularly in the Totem Lake Urban Center.
“We have a supply and demand issue where people are choosing to go outside the community,” he said.
Both existing and new businesses need more support and manageable taxes, Gregory said.
Affordability
“I’ve said this for a couple of years not that we (Kirkland) have affordable building improvements, but we don’t have affordable land in Kirkland,” Gregory said.
He supports keeping access to public land for the public’s benefit and requiring developers to create living spaces for diverse populations.
Invention
Kirkland has an ever-changing face and the City “needs to welcome adaptation to think outside the box,” he says.
Neighborhoods
Gregory said the community is lucky to have 13 neighborhoods, but they are more than just pieces of a puzzle.
“They’re parts of the whole city.”
He supports moving Neighborhood Plan updates to the top of the planning workload.
Why should the community vote for Gregory?
“I have the experience, leadership and longevity in Kirkland,” he said, adding he’s a good listener, hard worker and does his homework.
