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Kenneth (Ken) Pearson – Community Stakeholder Questions

Kenneth (Ken) Pearson is running for Auburn City Council Position No. 3.  His opponent is James Jeyaraj.

Auburn Symphony Orchestra:
“As Auburn continues to grow, what role do you think local arts organizations can play in this ever-changing community?”

I’m not aware of any arts organizations in Auburn. If they exist, they’ve done a poor job getting their message out. Art is subjective, and protected by the first amendment under freedom of speech. Therefore, government should not be involved. That would be endorsing one message over another, besides, the greatest works of art were not commissioned by any government. Providing space for art, I feel is okay.

Valley Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 1352:
“With the increase of low income/affordable housing in Auburn, there is a steady increase in the number of EMS calls that the VRFA responds to. How do you propose the VRFA deal with the increase in emergency and non-emergency calls for service to this population?”

I recently spoke with a member of the VRFA community, and he informed me that their biggest concern is the time wasted on non emergency calls. These calls need to be triaged, and prioritized. In certain communities that house a large number of the most vulnerable among us; the elderly, disabled, etc., a nurse, or nurse’s aide should be on staff to help diagnose a situation before EMS is called in order to determine if it’s a legitimate health emergency, or if someone can’t find their remote control.

Green River College President, Dr. Suzanne Johnson:
“The Mayor’s Task Force addressing “strong education, strong careers, and strong communities” is focused on building a “leak-proof” K-12 to College to Career pathway for Auburn students. The vision of this task force is “to build a community where all residents can successfully participate in the workforce, achieve economic stability, raise a family, and be a part of the fabric of Algona, Auburn, and Pacific. We will build a regional education to career pipeline that is a community-wide effort uniting education, cities, the business community, community-based organizations, and citizens where 100% of businesses choose to remain in the Cities and 100% of prospective employers choose our cities.” What will you do to build the necessary relationships and structures between city government, business, K-12 and Higher-Ed to support the task force and meet this goal?”

Auburn Area Schools:
“What is your vision for helping connect students in the local workforce?”

(Pearson combined his response for the questions submitted by Dr. Johnson and Auburn Area Schools)

I’ve already spoke with a member of the school board about this issue. First, city officials meet with current, and possible members of the business/industry community and find out what they require as far as educational needs for a ‘work ready’ work force. Then work with the school board to build a curriculum around those needs. Some students are college bound, others will go into the trades, and some others will choose to serve our country in the military. We need programs like DACA, VoTech, and Jr. ROTC. I have 3 kids that graduated from Auburn High Schools, My 2 sons joined the United States Marine Corps, and my stepdaughter is enrolled at Green River Community College, none of these programs were available to them.

My best friends daughter in Texas went into a VoTech/charter school type of program where she studied her required core classes for graduation at her high school in the morning, and in the afternoon, she was trained as a nurse’s aide at an off campus VoTech site. Upon graduation form high school, she was also a licensed, certified nurse’s aide, and went directly into the workforce. We need programs like that!

Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce:
“What is your stance on a city-imposed B/O taxes and other related business only taxes?”

I’m somewhere between a Kennedy democrat and a Reagan republican, with a large libertarian streak running down my back. I believe in low taxes, and limited government. Obviously, I am not for B/O taxes. B/O taxes would also make luring new businesses, and industry to Auburn more difficult. Eliminating them would help us lure, and retain new businesses and industry into our area.

Auburn Spiritual Leaders:
“What does it mean to promote the life and dignity of every human person?”

It is not the city council’s job to be social justice warriors, or, to “promote the life and dignity of every human person”. That’s done on an individual level. It’s the city council’s job to provide an environment that makes it possible for a safe, secure, and prosperous community. To responsibly spend the tax payers dollars on the services they expect.

Auburn Spiritual Leaders:
“Do you evaluate the treatment of the poor and vulnerable as the benchmark of how successful the city is?”

The treatment of the poor, and vulnerable question of morality, and not under the purview of the city council. Morals should be taught in the home, the church, and in general, the society. Perpetuated by charitable and civic organizations. You can’t legislate morality.

Auburn High School Key Club:
How can we support and empower homeless youth out of homelessness and what do you see the role of students/youth is in accomplishing this goal?”

Great question, and this is one that hits close to home with me. I have first hand experience with this issue. My experience goes as follows:

When my sons and I first moved to Auburn 15 years ago, due to circumstances out of our control, we were homeless. We received help from multiple organizations, but mostly, the YWCA of South King County. The were a godsend! I’m thankful everyday for them. They knew keeping the family together was of utmost importance. They helped us find housing, and when I was struck with cancer, they continued to help.

Now look at us, I survived, thrived, became a volunteer chaplain for a cancer support group, and I’m running for city council. My sons graduated from Auburn High School, joined the Marines and did tours in Afghanistan. They both have good jobs, and my eldest has been married to his high school sweetheart for ten years. (I would also like to thank the Auburn High School Football coaching staff for their emotional support, Coach Kiilsgaard and Coach Boone Bordon were great!)

When family units are strong, communities are strong, then cities are strong. The City of Auburn didn’t help at all, in fact, the city kicked us out of our home in order to make it available for someone else. It was the YWCA that helped us. When the government got involved, it made things worse.

So, if you wonder why I have the opinions I do about the city government getting involved in these issues, now you know why. I’m the perfect example of how giving somebody a hand up works better than giving somebody a hand out.

Auburn Food Bank:
“How will you support Auburn’s social safety net programs as a city council member?”

Auburn Food Bank:
“The city of Auburn provides 1% of its general fund dollars to human services programs. What is your position on the city’s use of that money?”

(Pearson combined his answers to both questions submitted by the AFB)

The only thing government does right is spend other people’s money. When the government gets involved, it usually screws things up! The government is not expert on fixing broken people. That’s a task best left to the professionals who know what they’re doing.

I’m all for giving those who need help, a hand up, not a hand out. The old adage about ‘teaching a man to fish…’ comes to mind. The current government programs designed to help these people serve more as being enablers of bad behavior. Setting aside 1% of the city’s general fund for human services is fine, and best spent on organizations like the YWCA, the Boys and Girls Club, Alanon, A.A., and other organizations that specialize in this type of work.

Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce:
“Define “Partnership” and give us an example of a partnership you think exemplifies your definition?”

I spoke of partnerships earlier when mentioning how city council members should meet with those in business and industry, and the school board in order to train an entry level workforce. Another example I mentioned was partnering with charitable organizations like the YWCA and the Boys and Girls club.

Check out other candidate responses to these questions here.   Other election questionnaires can be found in our Vote 2019 section.

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