Vote to fill three town council seats - John Leaver

Background and experiences

Ex-New Yorker; Located La Conner 2011; Two adult sons; served U.S. Navy medical corpsman; Career: aviation field, Japan Airlines, Alaska, including service manager, project mgr. (JFK Terminal), Sales: snowplows, seating and revenue consultant.

Operate (permitted) Airbnb “Super-host,” animal lover. Hobbies: Classic cars, biking and military miniatures.

Appointed town council 2012. I love the town and want to contribute.

Council accomplishments: Initiated “Sister Cities” agreement with White Rock, BC. Arts Commission liaison since 2012. Finance committee member. Participated Library Foundation 2013-16. Managed “Arts Alive” 2013. Volunteer La Conner Classic Car and Boat Show three years. Planned, assisted Arts Alive since 2012. Invested efforts to achieve a sustainable, accountable police services agreement since 2013. Created “First on First” group when COVID-19 decimated La Conner businesses, to keep the town relevant and financially alive.

Residents’ personal safety and security

Town under-served by current contract. I am the single council voice raising issue of competitive proposals or negotiating a better contract with the sheriff. Contract currently provides 80 hours of service including a 10 minute response time. Fiction! We are in Zone 1 with Conway, Bay View. We need a real “La Conner detachment” to serve La Conner! Residents report that deputies show up late 45 minutes. Mutual aid agreement with Swinomish PD actually gets timely responses!

Code enforcement patrol could reduce the costly police budget. Shift $150,000 for code enforcement from the current police budget. We need visibility and accountability. I differ with the mayor: better security doesn’t have to cost more. We pay too much for the service we have!

Town approach to starter homes

Suggested town should strive for a small, cottage environment for Maple Field. I believed in and voted to approve. It was the right move for the town. Ten homes: 10 families and another park to enjoy.

Representing and communicating with residents

Social media fails, pits neighbor against neighbor. The local newspaper is a communications tool, as is town’s website, which is under-utilized. Facts posted in timely fashion will be valuable. Traditional “contact” elected officials is always valuable.

Financial contribution for the La Conner Library

New library is a moving target. Costs may rise before the building opens. A town goal could be 10% of annual budget

Positioning La Conner for 2050

Branding town to increase value as a visitor destination. We need a viable business environment to maintain the town’s operation and quality of life!

Tulips and Art need to be reinforced.