Joyce Lindsay for City Council

04/29/2016

I went to the Washougal School District presentation on all the new projects our bond money is buying. It is very exciting. The new Columbia River Gorge elementary and Jemptegaard school is just wonderful, the new bus barn is not as exciting but I am sure for the people that work there a new and well built building will be a blessing. And I was totally thrilled at the look of the new Excelsior High School. Good Job!

01/29/2016

I just returned yesterday from two days in Olympia meeting with the legislators from the 18th Dist. Washougal is in the 18th, but we also met with legislators that were from other districts of both political parties. We were treated with respect and consideration of our issues from everyone. In the early 2000's I worked in Olympia as an aide to Sen. Darlene Fairley, she was the Senator from my district when I lived in Lake Forest Park. I know first hand how hard our legislators work, long days and hundreds of issues that are important to someone. The big issues right now are education and transportation. For us in Washougal we wanted to bring their awareness to our issue of transfering the $7.5 million dollars that we received last year (allocation) from the overpass project to State Route 14. There didn't seem to be any possible way that we could raise enough money to complete the funds needed beyond $7.5m for the overpass, so it was decided that putting it on 14 could help our traffic issues at Washougal River Road and 32nd street. These are both congested. And at 32nd it is important that trucks be able to turn left on 14. A roundabout will make that happen and that is what we are looking at once the allocation of funds is transferred in the budget this year. It is just a transfer, no additional funding and the timeline will not change. Every legislator we talked to was very supportive. As one Representative told us, that because there is no real majority in Olympia they have to cross the aisle and work together. I always thought that was what government was supposed to do. Work for all of us.

Political organisation

01/13/2016

This year I am the liasion to the Washougal School Board. Tonight was my first meeting and a new school board member was sworn in, Jaron Barney. For the past two years I have been attending the Port of Camas Washougal meetings and now I am looking forward to watching our school district build. It is a very exciting time in Washougal. These are small government entities that keep our community infastructure functioning. AND, it takes many committed people willing to give up their time with no or very little compensation to make this happen. This is the America I know.

01/09/2016

I went walking in my neighborhood this morning and as I passed each house I remembered how much I enjoyed doorbelling on my campaign. I loved knocking on a door and having no idea of who would come to the door and what they would say. I was almost always surprised. Loving a city and all its inhabitants is a marvelous emotion. I can tell so much from your homes, the struggle, the success, the tell tale signs of children and of course the pets. I walk down the streets wishing you all well and knowing that isn't always the case. I'm hoping that my tenure on the city council is instrumental with the help of my colleagues, we make this a good city to live in for all of you. I feel that is the very best way I can contribute. Happy New Year!

12/22/2015

The new council was sworn in last night. It was a brief ceremony and three of us were returning council members. Our new member Dan Coursey will be joining us on January 11th. After almost a year of planning and campaigning it is good to move out of the campaign mode and back into the work of the city. I reflect on the importance of these small government entities. All the press and hype is on the national level, but we at the local level affect the daily lives of citizens so much more. AND almost noone pays attention. How many of you, my friends, know the names of your mayor and council members? Local government is not very glamerous until your drinking water is polluted, your streets are ruining your car, and the city you live in is bankfupt. I knocked on many doors in Washougal and many people didn't know there was an election or who was running. Democracy is a two way street, the citizens HAVE to pay attention. Don't take your local government for granted. Thank you to those of you that supported me with your effort, your money and your time. I appreciated it very much. I LOVE being on the Washougal City Council and I really don't believe I wil run again, in four years I will be 80.

11/28/2015

We do not have another city council meeting until December 9th at City Hall, BUT we do have a parade December 3rd 6:00 PM. Your City Council will be there, perhaps with "bells on" but definately a warm coat. In the meantime, I am studying the school impact fee increase. The council does not set the school impact fee, the process is determined by the schools, the city council either ok's or changes the amount requested, but we DO have to vote on it. School impact fees are paid by the developer at the time of construction. They are a one time fee and the money goes to school building. "An impact fee is a fee that is imposed by a local government within the United States on a new or proposed development project to pay for all or a portion of the costs of providing public services to the new development."

11/22/2015

The council passed the Mayor's budget. In my opinion Washougal has a very bright future, many good things are happening in our community. We kept funding the feral cat program. In some parts of our city feral cats are not an issue in my neighborhood they are. It seems that people will move and leave their cats behind, so these are not really feral they are left on their own trying to survive and can end up in a cat colony where they breed. So more cats are being born that forage. They can also spread disease. This program is a humane way to handle the problem of too many cats. The cat is picked up, neutered or spayed given shots and then released. The average life span of a feral cat is about two years. I don't think the problem will ever completely go away but a few years of implementation should make a difference. The funding is up to $5,000 a year. Last year we spent $2,800, I don't have the figures for this year yet.

11/06/2015

THANK YOU WASHOUGAL!

I LOVE YOU and I love being on your city council.

The experience of the past four years has been exhilarating! I’ve learned a lot about a city infrastructure, I‘ve met people that are now friends and I understand, more than ever, that what happens at the local government level is the most important factor in our everyday lives.

I have been on your doorsteps, in your homes and businesses, I know you and your families. I will continue to be thoughtful and deliberate in the decisions that I make and the votes that I cast.

You are “always on my mind” and I want you and our community to thrive.

10/30/2015

Don't forget to vote. Voting is very important. Your vote can and will make a difference in our community.

10/28/2015

In the mornings not too many people honk. They are still getting themselves together to go out into the day. But this morning as I was waving wildly at a lot of cars a HUGE truck went by and honked his truck horn. It nearly blew me off the street. So funny!

The very best thing about campaigning for public office is the people. People are incredible. Thank you for your smiles, your honks and your waves.