Vera Orlandic-Hodak is running for Auburn City Council Position No. 7. Her opponent is Robert (Bob) Baggett.
Auburn Symphony Orchestra:
“As Auburn continues to grow, what role do you think local arts organizations can play in this ever-changing community?”
Art is a reflection of the soul of every community. State law requires 5% of the value of every city, county or state project be dedicated to art. Let’s give our local arts community a bigger say in what that art will be and mean to our community. Art is also a teaching tool for our children and let’s include them in city arts projects so that they will stay in the community they helped to build.
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?”
Let’s be clear. Auburn has been Seattle and Tacoma’s affordable housing for more than a half century. It’s not a new thing. The increases we are seeing are in part coming from Seattle. VRFA has had increasing calls for its services since it started. We must work locally and in partnerships to get people in need the services they need here instead of making plans that put services they can’t get to for more costs than we can afford.
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?”
We have a Cities and Schools partnership with the school district, Green River College and Auburn, Algona and Pacific. I will work to activate that partnership so that the executives of each work together at a county, city and federal level to bring programs and the funds to run them back here to our area.
Auburn Area Schools:
“What is your vision for helping connect students in the local workforce?”
There are systems in place with the school district and the college. I believe Council can work together to be a central location where all parties agree to the same mission to help our children in our workplace. Some of our children want to go to college and the city can help with that goal through early enrollment programs. Others want to be in the trades and we can work far better to bring business and the educational system into promoting the trades.
Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce:
“What is your stance on a city-imposed B/O taxes and other related business only taxes?”
Auburn isn’t Seattle, Bellevue or Kirkland. We”re already getting businesses who are moving from places with B/O taxes. Let”s cut the cost of permits and eyes to get business to want to come to Auburn and pay more property taxes and sales taxes so our citizens are forced to pay more while getting fewer businesses. No! It is important to reduce all taxes for business and citizens.
Auburn Spiritual Leaders:
“What does it mean to promote the life and dignity of every human person?”
Everyone in the United States has the right to life and dignity. I’m proof of that. An emigrant who fled war-torn Yugoslavia, Leaving behind a home and a successful business and fleeing with my son to the United States over twenty years ago. I had to start over, learn the language, care for my son and build a new life. I’m a project Manager at Boeing Auburn, a mother and grandmother because of the United States and my home in Auburn.
Auburn Spiritual Leaders:
“Do you evaluate the treatment of the poor and vulnerable as the benchmark of how successful the city is?”
It is a benchmark. Another benchmark that is far more important is how many people do we lift up out of poverty and successfully help the vulnerable. It is not what you say, it’s the work that has to be done.
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?”
No response provided by the candidate.
Auburn Food Bank:
“How will you support Auburn’s social safety net programs as a city council member?”
I will work with council to understand the need and assign goals that include how many people have actually been helped and how to increase that number.
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?”
It has and should be used to help those in need in our area through organizations in our area.
Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce:
“Define “Partnership” and give us an example of a partnership you think exemplifies your definition?”
Partnership is coalition of two parties/entities that have the same interest in project. So partnership could be for example; a small business and Chamber of commerce, as well Chamber of commerce and City Council, City Council and Mayor, Mayor and Auburn citizens….and so mash more…..
Check out other candidate responses to these questions here. Other election questionnaires can be found in our Vote 2019 section.