In Their Own Words: Meet Edmonds City Council Candidate Diane Buckshnis

Editor's note: Edmonds Patch will be posting Q&As with candidates running for mayor and city council, beginning with those in races contested in the primary election. The primary takes place Aug. 16 and includes mayor, city council seat number four, and positions three and five on the Edmonds School Board. The top two vote-getters in each race move on to the general election. Earlier this week, Patch ran profiles on mayoral candidates Roger Hertrich, , and . Now, we look at city council position four candidate Diane Buckshnis. For more on the candidates and races,

What is your full, legal name?
Diane Marie Buckshnis

Where do you work and what is your job title?
Currently work for CITY OF EDMONDS - Edmonds WA  - Council Position #4: January 2010 - present. In the past, worked for:

• Coastal Environmental Systems Inc. as Air Force Weather System Deployment Project Manager and Technical Manual Writer. 
• International Business and Technical Consultants Inc. (IBTCI) - Vienna VA, Regulatory Project Consultant Manager-National Bank of Kazakhstan & National Bank of Lithuania
• Barents Group LLC., a subsidiary of KPMG - Washington DC, Resident Regulatory Project Manager - National Bank of Lithuania
• Office of Thrift Supervision, Western Region, San Francisco, CA
• Security Pacific Bank of Oregon, First Vice President-Credit Administrator: Real Estate Industries Group

 When and Where Were You Born?
1956, Oregon City Oregon

Where do you live now and  how long have you lived there?
I have lived in Edmonds with my husband, Steve, and our two dogs, Buddy and Buster, for the past 10 years. 

Spouse or domestic partner if any:  Steve Tholl

Children: None

Education (include graduation date(s), if any):
Bachelor of Science Degree Business Administration – Finance Minor – Portland State University 1979.

Bachelor of Science Degree – Psychology – Portland State University 1979.

Completed both degrees from a full scholarship from U.S. Bank of Oregon.

Military Service (include year(s) of discharge, if any): None

Memberships and affiliations with clubs and other organizations:
Edmonds Senior Center (Director) Edmonds Rotary (Co-Chair Gift Giving Program) OLAE or Off-Leash Area - Edmonds (Founding Member, Treasurer, President), Edmonds Floretum Garden Club (Auditor), Edmonds Art Festival (Former Director), Edmonds Backyard Wildlife Habitat, Sierra Club - Cascade Charter, Sustainable Edmonds, ACE, Edmonds South-Snohomish County Historical Society, Best Friends Network, ASPCA, PAWS, Humane Society, League of Women Voters - Snohomish, National Women's Political Caucus and Seattle American-Lithuanian Community.

Have you or a business you owned (or had principal interest in) ever filed bankruptcy?
No

As an adult, have you been convicted or charged with a crime other than a minor traffic violation?
No

If so, please explain and include dates and locations.
CAMPAIGN INFORMATION:

Web site:  http://dianebuckshnis.com
Email address:  votediane@comcast.net
Phone number:  206-228-3462
Campaign manager:  Me
Campaign manager contact information: same

PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE(S):

Elected: Appointed to position #4 January 2010

Other campaigns for public office:
Ran for Edmonds City Council Position #2 in 2009

THIS CAMPAIGN:

What is the primary reason you are running for this office?
I am a community-oriented volunteer that is now dedicated to public service.  My record reflects my determination to represent the ENTIRE Edmonds community by going beyond the status quo.  This includes accomplishments in the areas of: 1) Financial Accountability & Transparency, 2) Economic Vitality, 3) Environmental Sustainability, 4) Community Services & Arts, as well as 5) Open Government.  But my work is not yet finished which is why I am running to be retained for this position.   

What will be your top three priorities if you get elected and why?
1)  Continue ensuring the implementation of the financial ordinance that provides for citizen-friendly and timely financial reporting.  We must demonstrate fiscal responsibility that goes beyond mere words.  2) Continue providing support to the Strategic Planning and Visioning process, ensuring it is unbiased and citizen-driven.   The intent of this efforts is to provide a roadmap for budgetary and department prioritization.  As such, it is critical that all stakeholders are appropriately represented.  3)   Continue advocating for environmental sustainability, community services, and arts that reflects our values, brand, and demographics.  We must regard our natural resources and social equities as importantly as our economic resources. 

What sets you apart from the other candidates and/or previous office holders?
My leadership and accomplishments to date demonstrate my willingness, determination, and commitment to be a problem-solver that goes beyond the status quo.  “Representing the ENTIRE Edmonds Community” is not a slogan for me; it’s a verse that resonates in my head and pulses with my heart.  It provides the motivation for me to do the necessary research and work tirelessly for our citizenry.  It reminds me that this role requires patience, persistence, and a willing ear. 

 For instance, it was only after over a year of discussion that the financial policies ordinance that I authored and was passed unanimously by council is being implanted by the interim finance director.  While Edmonds was part of WRIA8 (Water Resources Inventory Area 8), our participation was sporadic at best.  I changed that.  In this role, I was able to have the Edmonds Marsh restoration accelerated and this move allows us to obtain alternative funding which has currently been recommended.  This recommendation is huge considering the number of larger environmental projects that are within our state.   

I’m not shy about asking questions –sometimes tough questions– to make sure the public understands the council’s thought process.  Had I not asked the questions, seniors at the Francis Anderson Center would not have a discount for their programs.  Likewise, the mural society would still be paying over $800 for their mural fees.  I believe my record shows that I am a leader who is willing to look out for the collective interests of our community. 

How much money do you expect your campaign to spend on this election?
$15,000 to $20,000

Official endorsements:
I have a growing list of official endorsements that to-date include:

Sheriff John Lovick

Senator Maralyn Chase

State Representative Cindi Ryu

Edmonds Council Members Adrienne Fraley-Monillas and Michael Plunkett

Past Edmonds Council Members - Jack Bevan and Roger Hertrich

Past Edmonds Mayor Harve Harrison

Edmonds School Board Member Susan Paine

Port Commissioner Bruce Faires

NARAL

National Women’s Political Caucus of Washington