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07/30/2005: "Jamie Stevens (D): A Candidate For The BOCC"

Jamie Stephens, a small business owner and community booster, has lived with his wife and two children--Jessica, 16 and Dan 14, in Lopez Village for the past nine years. His wife serves on the Lopez Island School Board and both children attend Lopez School. "My experiences as a business owner and community volunteer have given me a greater understanding of what makes this County a special place, and the challenge we face to maintain it in the context of inevitable change."

Jamie currently serves on the Fisherman Bay Water Association Board and chaired the Committee for the Abbreviated Coordinated Water System Plan for the Lopez UGA for the 2 years of its existence. The committee, made up of a cross section of community members, engineers, and County health officials, achieved consensus on a plan that accounts for anticipated growth, provides for continuous monitoring of supply, and preservation of the nearshore environment fed by the island's groundwater. The Plan was presented to the BOCC and adopted with few modifications. He has been an active player in the GMA planning and compliance process. "I believe that clear and effective planning is one of the keys to maintaining the islands lifestyle."



Jamie is also currently serving on the Boards of the Family Resource Center and the Lopez Lions Club. He has also served on the Boards of the Lopez Chamber of Commerce and the Lopez Center for Community and the Arts (LCCA). He was the catalyst that put together a cooperative effort to build a skate park which was completed almost entirely by volunteers. "My work with these organizations has strengthened my ability to achieve consensus, plan effectively, exercise fiscal responsibility, and see projects through to completion. Successes have been gained through a blend of creativity, soliciting input, research and analysis." Through his involvement with the Lopez Lions Club, Jamie has chaired the 4th of July Parade on Lopez for several years.

Jamie served as Chair of Commissioner Rhea Miller's successful 2002 re-election campaign.

While serving on the Board of the LCCA, he chaired the operations committee, which guided it in the transition from a building project to an operating entity by establishing policies, procedures, and rate structures for usage and performances. He helped secure the adjacent Sally Bill property and helped administer leases to Fertile Ground community garden, the Farmers Market, and the Lopez Children's Center. He and his wife personally donated trees and waterway sculpting for Sally's Garden. He has been a strong supporter of the San Juan Preservation Trust, Lopez Housing Options (LOHO), Cascade Conservation Partnership, and the Lopez Community Land Trust.