Access Anacortes
Fiber Internet
Our Community-Owned Fiber Optic Internet
Anacortes is the only city in the State of Washington to offer municipal fiber optic service directly to both businesses and residents. By the end of 2021 Access Anacortes Fiber Optic Internet service will be available to more than 50% of the city, and our plan is cover the entire city by the end of 2023. I’ll work tirelessly in my second term to make sure we reach that goal.
The Internet has become one of the fundamental drivers in how business, government, education, healthcare, and society operate, and it is abundantly clear that reliable, low-cost, and high-speed access are critical to our success as a community. In building Access Anacortes Fiber Internet we have chosen to take control of our digital destiny.
Learn more: Access Anacortes Fiber Internet
A Carbon Neutral City
Developing a Climate Action Plan for our community
In 2020, the City of Anacortes signed a 20-year agreement with PSE to power all city operations with 100% wind energy. This agreement will reduce the City’s carbon dioxide emissions by 16 million pounds annually. The city has also largely converted to LED lighting, saving thousands of dollars per month in energy costs, in addition to significant reduction in energy consumption.
I want to build on these excellent efforts by leading the development of a comprehensive plan on emissions reduction for our community with specific and aggressive targets:
Carbon Neutral City Operations by 2035
A Carbon Neutral Communiity by 2050
Learn more: Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance
Your Local Government
Economic Development, Financial Planning, and Community Engagement
A robust downtown and commercial corridor: Buying local creates a virtuous economic cycle as it keeps money circulating in our local economy, rather than sending it out of town. In the next four years I hope to expand the radius and economic vitality of our downtown and commercial business core by creating connections to the waterfront and marketing our fiber optic internet service to attract high tech, green-tech, and marine-tech firms.
Long-term financial planning: In the past four years we’ve made major investments to catch up on road repair and water utility infrastructure. We’ve done so while continuing to improve the City’s financial position. In the next four years, I plan to work closely with the Mayor and Council to strengthen our long-term capital facilities planning processes, to maintain strong financial footing while keeping up with maintenance, upkeep, and upgrades.
Tools for community engagement: In the past four years, we’ve made major improvements to transparency and access to information. The implementation of Laserfiche document storage has allowed the City to digitize all contracts and other paperwork and make it available in easily searchable format on the City’s website. In the future I hope to implement additional technology tools, which will allow us to track and publish key performance metrics on subjects ranging from budgets and expenses, to road conditions, and our efforts to reduce CO2 emissions.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: I'm very proud to have co-written the Anacortes City Council's resolution on diversity and inclusion. The resolution is a pledge and a promise that all members of our community are welcome, that they and their contributions are valued, and that diverse experiences and perspectives make us a stronger, more vibrant, and thriving community. I hope to make good on that promise every day. Supporting a culture of diversity, brings diversity and I’ll be supporting the needed work it will take to get us there.
Photo credit: John Lloyd