I am also an environmentalist. I just returned to Tumwater from living in Beijing, China where, much of the time, the air quality is unbreathable without a mask . Many in Tumwater may think that such problems could never come to our city. However, without addressing problems now I believe we are headed for real trouble. We need to be ready when major effects come to Tumwater. Just small changes in air and water quality, and the demands that population growth have on a region and community can bring unsustainable stresses on our natural resources. I intend to be a leader in making Tumwater resilient to climate change, and a better, more prosperous place to live and work, a vibrant “green” community that will serve as a model for other small cities in America and elsewhere.
JONATHAN KAPLAN FOR TUMWATER CITY COUNCIL, POSITION 6
I am an anthropologist. I have spent my career studying societies, the relationships people have with each other and the natural world around them. Another part of my work has been helping Third World peoples improve their lives. As a Tumwater City Council member, my long experience with sustainable development projects will be helpful in understanding and serving our community. My goal is to preserve and improve our quality of life here while acknowledging that we face real challenges now and in the future. Smarter planning is necessary now.
WE CAN FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE and PROSPER, by GROWING THE RIGHT WAY
Working in Guatemala has also taught me many things about living and working in an environment impacted harshly by climate change.
SMART, PROSPEROUS GROWTH DESPITE CLIMATE CHANGE
We can prepare for, combat, and mitigate the effects of climate change. Beside the effect of changing weather here, we must accept that changes elsewhere will bring many more people to Tumwater. Tumwater will grow. As we welcome new people, we must celebrate their cultural diversity while ensuring we all enjoy Tumwater as a good place to live and work.
SOME OF MY PROPOSALS
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I want to develop a comprehensive Climate Change Action Plan for the city. This plan will include practical ideas to preserve water resources, expand urban farming with community gardens and more farmers’ markets, preservation of all remaining open spaces, methods to reduce greenhouse gas emission, while attracting more innovative and eco-friendly businesses along with green job training to the city.
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We must review our zoning policies. I want to make certain that housing and commercial development processes do not put unsustainable stresses on water, trees and wildlife habitat. Sustainable, affordable housing models must be developed.
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I want to expedite Tumwater’s six-year plan to solve street traffic problems with e-buses and e-vans, and expanded routes.
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We must recognize our rich indigenous history in a much more visible and powerful manner as we continue to appreciate the precedence of the “First Americans” in the Puget Sound area and the broken treaties and extermination of the North American Indians; simultaneously, we must acknowledge that, apart from them, we are all immigrants here, including undocumented refugees from environmentally and economically stressed and straitened places.
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I want Tumwater to participate in Olympia’s move to “restore the estuary” to preserve our part of the beautiful Deschutes River. I also support efforts along the river to restore the old brewery building – perhaps as an artists’ coop and city venue for music and arts festivals – in an environmentally responsible manner.
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I want to contribute to a council that always is judicious with expenditures.
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Thank you for your interest in Jonathan Kaplan for Tumwater City Council. If you have a question or concern, you can contact me through my Facebook website, https://www.facebook.com/TumwaterCityCouncilRace
I AM PROUD OF THESE ENDORSEMENTS:
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WFSE - AFSCME Local 443
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Thurston County Democrats (for campaign services)
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Green Party of South Puget Sound
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Our Revolution, Thurston County
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Tom Oliva, current Tumwater City Councilman
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Karen Valenzuela, former Port Commissioner and Tumwater City Councilwoman
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Kyle Taylor Lucas, former Tumwater City Councilwoman
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E. J. Zita, Port of Olympia Commissioner, Third District
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more major endorsements anticipated soon
