With the upcoming primary elections coming for candidates in Westport, The Daily World sent questionnaires to each candidate, in order to better inform the public about the people running for public office.
Answers have been edited for spelling, grammar and style.
Gregory Barnes
How long have you lived in Westport?
Forty-one years. I was stationed here in the United States Coast Guard at Station Grays Harbor in 1982. I loved the community so much I chose to stay after my active duty enlistment.
Why run for mayor?
I want to give back to the community that I love and has supported me and my family over the last 40-plus years.
What do you reckon the biggest issue facing Westport is?
Over time change has come to Westport. Right now, the proposed Westport Golf Links and short-term vacation rentals are in the forefront.
Vacation rentals bring economic support to local businesses. Westport has lost five hotels in the last few years. Without vacation rentals we would not have places to put heads in beds for fishing, vacationing and local events. Currently the planning commission is focused on improving short term rental parameters. Westport is broken up into zones and we are working to ensure that there is not over saturation of rentals in one zoning area.
The planning commission is working through the numbers to solidify the number of homes allowed in each zoning area. By creating structure, the city is developing the ability to monitor and support homeowners that live around rental properties. This proposal, that is currently before the Westport City Council, supports local business owners, surrounding neighbors and short-term rental owners.
The proposed Westport Golf Links is a development that is already in process and has been discussed at length in public forums. As a city we do need to hold the golf course developers to the full measure of our city ordinances and requirements around construction and infrastructure (such as building sidewalks and improvements of roads). The golf course stands to be productive economic development for local workers and existing businesses.
What are some changes you’d like to see for the city?
As mayor I would make it a top priority to facilitate greater access to medical health care providers here on the South Beach. The city has already done some things that could bring back medical services to South Beach. The city is currently under lease with the option to purchase the existing medical facilities known as the Duber Building in Westport. We need to actively pursue marketing it as a site for a satellite medical facility here on the South Beach.
This can be done by reaching out to Grays Harbor Hospital, Elma Hospital, and even the Quinault Nation Wellness Center among others. Partnering with our existing medical providers here in Grays Harbor County could be our strongest asset. These providers have shown that they have staying power over the years.
What our community has lacked in the past is not getting medical services to be interested but retaining providers long term. Partnering to hire locally based medical providers, to have Westport be a hub site, would ensure long term staying power.
Can you provide a brief background into your experience that would lend itself to the office?
37 years working in the city of Westport street department
25 years as street department supervisor
Eight years served on the Ocosta School Board
25 years volunteering for the South Beach Little League organization
39 years attending and volunteering at South Beach Christian Center
35 years as a local homeowner in Westport
28 years served in the United States Coast Guard (active duty and reserves)
I was also recently appointed to serve on the Westport Planning Commission. As you can see I have had a busy, active and engaged life here on the South Beach. I still never miss an opportunity to go clam digging, crabbing, or fishing, as that is my passion. My wife and I, Miss Linda, have raised our three children in the Westport community and through that have been able to connect with many wonderful supportive community members.
Michael Bruce
How long have you lived in Westport?
23 years. I came to Westport to teach school for the Ocosta School District in 2000. I retired from teaching in 2010.
Why run for mayor?
I believe that the city of Westport needs experienced leadership that is responsive to the public, understands good governance and policy making. A mayor that is transparent, equitable, fair and consistent on all public matters. I have a proven track record of listening and being responsive during my tenure as mayor between 2004-2015.
What do you reckon the biggest issue facing Westport is?
The office of mayor, or the city, never has one single issue that it faces — the issues may change daily. Westport faces several pressing issues that need to be handled with good governance, discernment and wisdom. These include, but are not limited to, addressing the challenges posed by coastal erosion, the homeless population, finding solutions for vacation rentals, promoting affordable housing, managing building and construction, as well as facilitating park development and expansion.
What are some changes you’d like to see for the city?
I’d like to see a better balance (working relationship) between being a marine industrial city (fishing and processing) and tourism. Westport needs more worker and low-income housing that could be accommodated by the construction of multiple family dwellings/apartment houses. Westport desperately needs a city planner to work on long-range planning and manage growth issues and concerns.
Public works projects (including streets and sidewalks) could be greatly enhanced by seeking more grants, possibly employing a grant writer. After being elected I would review the budget for potential modification and council approval to fund planning and grant writing assistance.
Can you provide a brief background into your experience that would lend itself to the office?
I bring a wealth of experience and a proven track record to the table. I have over two decades of dedicated public service, including 12 years as the mayor of Westport, two terms as a town councilman for Concrete and over five years as a public hospital district commissioner,
During my career, I’ve had the privilege of serving and leading the Grays Harbor Transit Board, Grays Harbor Council of Governments and Public Hospital District #2, gathering a wealth of experience and insights that have equipped me with the skills to navigate complex governance challenges.
Brennan Jarnes
How long have you lived in Westport?
I have lived in Westport since October of 2019.
Why run for mayor?
I am running for mayor because I want to be a part of the solution to our city’s problems. Our city is facing several issues this cycle, but they are nothing that we cannot overcome. As mayor, I want to be a servant leader who truly values the people I represent and prioritizes the issues that matter to them.
What do you reckon the biggest issue facing Westport is?
Right now, I would say that the biggest issue facing Westport residents is the growing taxes and utility rates. Our city has been raising its taxes, despite pledges from some of its leaders not to do so. Our current mayor has recommended further tax increases. This tax and spend policy has got to stop, and our resources allocated toward important issues like homelessness, crime and drugs.
What are some changes you’d like to see for the city?
I would like to see a city that is more responsive to the needs of its people. Our current city government has been doing too fine a job of insulating itself from the residents. The residents are frustrated with this. I mean, when an incumbent city council member harasses a local business owner over a political sign in her window, you know that there is a problem.
If elected mayor, I want to get rid of this “us versus them” mentality. I will work hard to create a city government that truly cares about and represents its constituents. And I will never, ever issue or support mandates that take away our constitutional liberties. My priorities are tackling homelessness, crime and drugs, lowering taxes and utility rates, and ensuring that local property and business owners have the environment and tools they need to succeed.
Can you provide a brief background into your experience that would lend itself to the office?
I have been a leader in church and in youth development programs, and have also served in collegiate student government. I have the knowledge and skills necessary to lead our city’s revival. I am common sense, hard working and care about people. I will work with our city leadership to address the issues that matter, while also holding them accountable.
Rose Jensen
How long have you lived in Westport?
I have lived in Westport for 10 years.
Why run for mayor?
I want to be mayor of Westport and continue to represent the people of Westport and continue the work we have started for the future. Also, I am the first woman to run for mayor and, if elected, would be the first woman mayor of Westport.
What do you reckon the biggest issue facing Westport is?
The biggest issue facing Westport is affordable and workforce housing. Ideas on how to achieve this housing are varied but the first thing we need is funding. Building a working relationship with our federal, state and county officials is essential. I have the time and ability to bridge that divide.
I have met with our state representatives and senator, I have also spent time speaking with Congressman Derek Kilmer as well as our county representative. I will continue to build those relationships and lobby for Westport. I will also continue to maintain my relationship with leaders in other cities in our area, giving Westport citizens the power they need to start our growth and development.
What are some changes you’d like to see for the city?
Westport needs more police officers, open budget meetings, open monthly meetings with the department heads, and perhaps most importantly spend time in the mayoral office returning phone calls, answering emails, talking with citizens, holding town hall meetings to keep the citizens informed and give them a chance to ask questions and get answers.
Can you provide a brief background into your experience that would lend itself to the office?
I am an active member of the community. I have been on the city council for four years. I was chairperson of the lodging tax advisory committee for three years, a member of the committee on short term rentals and the chairperson of the economic development committee.
Outside of the political arena, I volunteered at the Maritime Museum and I am the coordinator for Rusty Scupper’s Pirate Daze. I am the founder and captain of the Half Moon Bay Pirates, a nonprofit corporation. The pirates help the police department every Christmas, helping to purchase, wrap and deliver gifts to children and their families. We took our ship to the Cub Scout camp, providing pirate games and garb to 100 Cub Scouts. We accompanied the police department to Burien for Chief for a Day to represent Westport and the Westport Police Department and play pirate with 100 disabled children and their siblings. I am also on Crime Watch.
I worked with PTA/PTG organizations. I have been a Catechism teacher, preschool and kindergarten teacher. I have a degree as a paralegal and have spent countless hours researching law, writing briefs, and filing documents with the courts, working with clients, lawyers and judges. I also have experience as a receptionist, working with clients and workers over the phone and in the office. I also have been an office administrative assistant and an office administrator, handling everything from clients, hiring and firing, payroll, budgeting, filing, purchasing and other activities related to running a very busy office.
My education and experience give me a unique and varied set of skills that are needed to be mayor of Westport.
Edward Welter
How long have you lived in Westport?
I have been a part of the Westport community for 24 years. I have owned my home here since 2007.
Why run for mayor?
I feel that there has been a disconnect between the citizens of Westport and our local government. Westport is a small town and it the job of the mayor to reach out to the public and maintain a strong understanding of what is happening in all aspects of the community. As mayor, I will represent the citizens of Westport to the city council, county commissioners, and the state.
What do you reckon the biggest issue facing Westport is?
Westport is facing a great deal of possible changes. I think one of the biggest issues is determining how the city is going to manage that change. It is crucial to have a plan in place and to follow that plan.
What are some changes you’d like to see for the city?
I think it is very important to focus on the future of our youth. I would like to see the development of a youth center where kids can have a safe space to engage in community activities and programs. Incorporated into this youth center I would like there to be after-school educational programs that will help develop a workforce base for the community.
Can you provide a brief background into your experience that would lend itself to the office?
I am a longtime resident of Westport and have spent the majority of my adult life in public service for this very community. I served in the Coast Guard here in Westport, I was a fish and wildlife officer for the Westport area, and I am currently the local South Beach resident deputy for the sheriff’s office.
The safety, security and well-being of Westport is my passion. I will be a mayor who represents the wishes of the community members. It is my goal to bridge the obvious gap between the local government and Westport’s citizens. With clear, concise messaging, I will make known exactly what the city is working on and how it impacts the people of Westport.
Contact Senior Reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@thedailyworld.com.
Rose Jensen
Rose Jensen
Rose Jensen
Rose Jensen
Rose Jensen
