1. Tell us about your experience with dogs.

We had four or five dogs while our children were growing up -- different breeds and personalities. Now we have two granddogs that belong to our daughter, but are ours to take on trips, dogsit, or play with on weekends.

2. Which off-leash areas have you visited?

I've been to Blue Dog, Genesee, Luther Burbank, and Marymoor. The granddogs also use Volunteer Park and Magnuson Park

3. How would you balance the competing desires for dedicated public spaces such as ballfields, off-leash areas, boat launches, etc.?

It's always difficult to balance competing demands for space in a growing city. Some factors I consider are how many people would need or use the space, how specialized are the use requirements, and what other alternatives are available. I support off-leash areas because they are needed and used by thousands of our citizens.

4. Seattle Municipal Code states that the Volunteer Park off-leash area is a temporary site, but it will remain open until another location on Capitol Hill can be found for a permanent off-leash area. If no other location can be found on Capitol Hill, as a Councilmember would you vote to make the temporary site a permanent site?

Finding an off-leash area on Capitol Hill will be as difficult as locating a new pea patch for Capitol Hill residents. We need to be alert for opportunities for shared use or redevelopment, particularly with institutions such as schools, churches, hospitals, utilities.

5. How would you allocate funding amongst competing city-supported recreational activities: i.e. ballfields, off-leash areas, boat launches, etc.?

We need to find a fair way to charge users of off-leash areas a nominal fee to cover the cost of maintenance, as we charge most user groups for other dedicated parks spaces. However, the basic park maintenance cost should be part of the city's responsibility to provide recreational opportunities to our citizens.

6. Given that off-leash areas have proved to build community, deter crime, and provide a place for voting, taxpaying citizens to recreate with their family and pets, where would you support siting additional off-leash areas?

We may be able to site some dog runs under or beside highways, in utilities rights of way, or on surplus utility property. Some greenbelt areas would support trails and exercise areas. I'd like to see at least one more water access area developed, perhaps at a Duwamish or Lake Union street end.

7. When you are elected to the Seattle City Council, will you vote to support off-leash areas?

Yes. I have a strong track record of support for off-leash areas and have consistently voted for them.

8. If you don’t respond to this survey, can we assume that you believe dog off-leash areas are "for the birds"?

9. Please add any comments you would like to share with our members and supporters.