More information about Janet's Accomplishments:

1.    Broadband Access: Janet has elevated the needs of Island County at the State and Federal level. She has also worked to change policy towards improving rural broadband and bring funding to our local communities.  Forming a strong coalition of broadband providers and local leaders, she helped form the Island County Broadband Action Team, leading a feasibility and needs assessment for our county.  She built strong relationships with our internet service providers and helped write a federal grant for Camano Island and facilitated a state grant for Central Whidbey.

2.     Affordable Housing: With our housing crisis worsened by the pandemic, her shared commitment on housing resulted in targeted support for emergency mortgage and rental assistance.  With her colleagues, she is working to direct significant investment of American Rescue Plan funds to achieve tangible results for affordable housing.  Advocating for dedicated expertise for housing development, Janet believes with a strong plan and strategic investments we can begin to meet the needs of our seniors and working families.

3.     Protection of the beauty of Island County. Janet has worked diligently to protect and promote forest stewardship, our shorelines and strong, sustainable agriculture. She currently serves on the Salmon Recovery Council and Ecosystem Coordination Board for Puget Sound Partnership.

4.     Workers: Janet believes that employees who feel respected and acknowledged will stay longer and offer excellent customer service.  She approved raising the minimum wage for Island County workers and is a strong advocate for competitive wages.

5.     Affordable Childcare: Childcare access is a key factor for working families and employers.  Early childhood development is also a crucial to the health and well-being of children and is a strong predictor of health and educational outcomes.  Working with Whidbey Island Naval Air Station and Island County Public Health, Janet identified and encouraged the successful pursuit of a childcare planning grant from Washington State.  This grant resulted in better understanding of our crisis, a housing task force and investments to support childcare.  She will continue to support the little ones who represent our future.

6.     Small Business: She helped support businesses during the pandemic through CARES grants to provide stability to our local economy.  She works closely with the Chambers of Commerce and the Economic Development Council of Island County.  She chairs the grant committee to disperse funding from the Island County lodging tax, resulting in targeted investments in our tourism economy.  In 2021, she was appointed to the Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board in recognition of her work on broadband and economic development.

7.     Art in Public Places:  In her first month of office, Janet was able to secure a significant art donation from renowned artist Jack Archibald for the Camano Administration Building. She worked to implement new policy for Art in Public Places in Island County, believing art is a significant asset for our community.  She is continuing to work to refine that policy and encourage the arts in Island County.

8.     Public Health Needs:  Working with Public Health, Planning, Public Works and Law Enforcement, Janet made sure public health threats were addressed in North Whidbey and on Camano Island. With collaborative social service outreach and enforcement, encampments have been closed through delivery of social services and clean ups. Janet is a strong supporter of joint social service and law enforcement response programs and has voted to increase investments in these innovative programs in our County.

9.     Community Well Being: Janet believes advocacy and policy work is vital to the health and well-being of our communities. She serves on the Board of Washington State Association of Counties where she has served on both the Legislative Steering Committee and the Federal Issues and Relations Committee.  She serves on the Health Policy Committee for the National Association of Counties.  She works closely with her colleagues across the State on issues of importance, setting aside political differences to find common ground for strong policies that serve the people of Island County and Washington State.