Public Safety
Without the safety of our communities, schools, businesses, and citizens, little else matters. It is of paramount importance that we protect the safety of the public. Sam has a proven history of fighting for more police officers, sheriff deputies and police services in our community. Sam does not support the movement to defund the police. He strongly supports our police officers, firefighters, and EMT's. Sam will work with our law enforcement officials to make sure we are tough on crime yet compassionate to make sure those with mental illness get the needed treatment to make Snohomish County a safe place to live for all.
As the former Chair of the Snohomish County Health District, Sam understands the dangers of the heroin epidemic, opioid epidemic, and homelessness facing our community. Sam believes in a comprehensive approach that includes both public health, community services, and law enforcement.
Safer Highways
Sam has been successful in making transportation safety and improvements added to Snohomish County's legislative agenda in Olympia. That means our east county transportation needs are now continually in front of legislators in Olympia who make the decisions on highway expansion and safety improvements. Over the past 4 years, WSDOT has spent over $30 Million dollars in repaving, lane separations and other safety improvements on the Highway 2 Corridor. In 2022 WSDOT is scheduled to begin $17 Million in Highway 2 Corridor Safety improvements between Snohomish and Index.
Highway 522 is a daily nightmare due to complete incompetence. The four lanes, to two lanes, then back to four lanes that our families and commuters face on a daily basis is a complete embarrassment. When Sam took office $5 Million was all that was slated for Highway 522 beginning in 2025 and an additional $5 Million in 2027. Sam worked with the City of Monroe and other partners to come up with #Finish 522. Through our efforts and partnerships we were able to get the $10 Million in design money moved up and an additional $13 Million added for a total of $23 Million in design and right- away acquisition from 2019 - 2023. Highway 522 is a problem we deal with daily and Sam is committed to finishing the fight for the necessary funding from the state to finally complete it. #Finish522
Lastly, Sam worked with our east county mayors to form a group working together on transportation projects. We have met as a group with legislators in Olympia and in DC to draw attention and seek help with the transportation obstacles we face here in Snohomish County.
Index-Galena Road washout
(Construction scheduled to begin 2021)
Better Communities
It is paramount that we protect the safety of the public. Without the safety of our schools, businesses, and citizens, nothing else matters; and Sam has a proven history of fighting for more police officers and sheriff deputies in our community. Having lost his home to fire as a teenager, he understands the need for—and strongly supports!—our firefighters and paramedics.
Sam believes that protecting our communities, though, also means protecting our environment. Because of this, Sam remains a strong supporter of our local Conservation District and drives an electric vehicle. Protecting our environment, however, is not about keeping us from using our resources, but rather making sure we use them in a responsible and sustainable manner. Many times extremists have turned environmental issues into a losing proposition for our businesses and our citizens. Sam believes that the key is balance and responsibility.
