Shannon Williamson

1. I was inspired to run for office in 2013 by my two kids. I’ve chosen to raise them in Sandpoint and I remain committed to making Sandpoint a great place for families and everyone who wants to live here. I’m now running for mayor because we’ve made promises to our citizens that we need to deliver on over the next four years. I’m a methodical and pragmatic leader who will get the job done.

2, I have a Ph.D. in science. This qualification makes me deliberate in my approach to city issues, drives me to brainstorm creative solutions to tough problems, and helps me understand the important nuances of the numerous plans and projects occurring across the city’s different departments.

3. In my opinion, the most important issues facing the community right now are juggling the 10 master planning efforts we are undertaking as a city. We are in the middle of up- grading and ultimately re- placing our wastewater treatment facility, which will im- pact our rate- payers. Our master planning efforts must go off without a hitch so that their outcomes fulfill both the vision of the community and result in feasible financial plans for project implementation.

4. I have 15 years of executive management experience. I have guided numerous complex, technical projects from start to finish with positive outcomes. I am a strategic leader who works in close collaboration with my team to build consensus, set goals and achieve them in a timely manner. I am a focused and driven professional who will not stray from the strategic priorities adopted by the city council that are driving our master planning efforts.

5. Communication is one element that they city needs to focus on. It’s essential that the city continues to engage stakeholders in meaningful ways during the master planning process. We also need to be strategic about when we hire an outside consultant versus leveraging the talent of our city staff. This decision is influenced by several factors including the scope of the master plan, the available bandwidth of city staff and budgetary considerations. Each plan is unique.

6. The city will work with Logan Simpson, the experts selected to assist the city with its comprehensive plan update, later this month to kick off the planning process to address development around the airport. Balancing development with protecting public health and safety will be challenging. Resolution to this challenge will be a data-driven process involving the public and all airport-related stakeholders. The information gathered will inform future needs, concepts, conditions and policies.

7. It’s unfortunate that the Coast Guard didn’t feel that construction of three new rail bridges wouldn’t warrant a more in-depth evaluation of impacts on the city of Sandpoint. An Environmental Impact Statement would have positioned the city to negotiate important mitigation measures for its residents and visitors, including grade-separated rail crossings which cost tens of millions of dollars. If wait times at rail crossings increase, it will be our taxpayers that will bear the burden.

8. I hope to create a legacy of consensus building and collaboration. This is essential to good leadership. It’s been my honor to serve alongside my fellow council members for six years. The council has worked in collaboration with the mayor and city staff to implement strategic initiatives to better serve the citizens of Sandpoint. I’m proud of the accomplishments we’ve achieved as a team. I’m committed to fostering an environment where team members are valued.

9. I will continue to balance my professional and civic roles every day, just as I have over the last six years. It’s my responsibility to listen and be responsive to citizen inquiries and concerns. It’s my responsibility to engage with city staff whenever necessary to accomplish positive outcomes for our citizens. As an elected official, I’ve never experienced the same day twice. My attention to the detail is and always has been on high alert.

10. To continue to serve the residents and visitors of Sandpoint. I’ve invested a significant amount of my time and energy over the past six years as a council member into the city’s various projects and initiatives and I can say with 100% confidence that every second has been worth it. If elected mayor, I look forward to serving as an administrative leader in close collaboration with council members and city staff.

11. The harshest criticism to date has been related to me expressing concerns about our current leadership. This is not a singular concern of mine and is why I was asked to step up and run for mayor. While nobody wants to be on the receiving end of criticism, how we handle that criticism is ultimately telling. You can choose to lash out or be professional. I’ve chosen the latter.

12. I have the professional and civic experience to help the city deliver on its promises to its citizens over the next four years if elected mayor. I’m a methodical and pragmatic leader who values collaboration and consensus building. I take my job as an elected official very seriously, I listen carefully and make well-informed decisions. I’m not easily distracted and will stay true to the strategic priorities adopted by the council.

13. Are you prepared to go above and beyond at your job as an elected official? My answer is yes. I’m a member of the Association of Idaho Cities Municipal Water Users Board and the Environment Committee. I have stepped up whenever needed to chair council meetings in the mayor’s absence. I have served on numerous selection committees for city staff. I will continue to go above and beyond because that’s what Sandpoint deserves.