For Immediate Release November 26th, 2007

Contact: Ann McDonald

Phone: 360-678-3854

Email: ann@conceptssolutions.com

 

Ann McDonald announces her Campaign for the State Legislature

 

 

Coupeville Port Commissioner Ann McDonald has announced her candidacy for the Washington State Legislature, 10th District, Position 1. This seat is currently held by Republican Chris Strow.

 

A twenty year resident of Greenbank and a former Realtor, Ann was elected in 2005 as a Commissioner of The Washington State Port District of Coupeville.  In this capacity Ann helped shape the Port’s first comprehensive plan in forty years. Ann insisted that all the projects and initiatives planned for port investment through 2026 consider the Port’s responsibility to promote economic development while blending environmental considerations. Although environment had not been emphasized in the planning guidance provided by The Washington Public Ports Association, Coupeville’s novel approach won approval and assurance that it will be used as a model for other ports in the state. Moreover, the State Recreation and Conservation Board has approved and endorsed the plan as the basis for future grants. Regarding the Greenbank Farm, owned by the Port and Island County, Ann said, “One of my goals as a Port Commissioner was to work for a conservation easement to preserve the farm and its rural character, protecting it from future development forever. That goal is well underway and I am proud to be part of that success.” Ann is a member of the Washington Public Ports Association Legislative Committee.

 

Ann and her husband Mark own a small business, Concepts/Solutions, in Everett. She has three children, her youngest; Niles is a senior at South Whidbey High.

 

Ann has a long history of community service as a Master Gardener and public workshop instructor, a former PTA President and Art Docent program co-coordinator in the South Whidbey School District. Ann supports and volunteers at several senior centers in the Tenth Legislative District. 

 

As a business owner, Ann works actively with  Chambers of Commerce in the 10th Legislative District; Langley, Freeland, Oak Harbor, Anacortes, La Conner, Burlington, Stanwood, Camano Island, and Arlington/Smokey Point.  She is also a member of Skagit Women in Business, (SWIB).

 

Ann serves on the Board of Directors of Island County United Way and also on the Boards of   the Island County Economic Development Council (EDC) and the Skagit Opera Guild. She is also a member of Island County Council of Governments (COG), The Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) and the Island County Drug Action Team. Ann is active in the North and South Whidbey Island Leagues of Women Voters, and belongs to a number of organizations including the Whidbey Camano Land Trust, The Holmes Harbor Rod and Gun Club, MoNA, (Museum of Northwest Art) in La Conner, and The Whidbey Aerie of The Fraternal Order of Eagles. 

 

Ann said “I believe that my years of community service have prepared me very well to represent the 10th district in Olympia.   I have developed a depth of knowledge and experience as an elected official and community leader on a wide range of important issues. I have spent years talking with our area’s residents and business leaders about the challenges facing state government.”

 

Ann declares that, “My priorities are to improve access to affordable health care, improving transportation, and preserving land for agriculture. Transportation is an overriding issue facing the state and a comprehensive solution is important for our state’s overall economy. It is important that the transportation needs of the state ferry system and rural highways not be totally overshadowed by the needs of the Seattle metro area.”

 

Ann continued, “The needs of veterans must be addressed by the legislature. There have been bills in previous sessions that would modify property tax exemption provisions for wounded veterans. I will work to see this measure enacted into law. There are many other concerns with returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans that need to be dealt with immediately. The Washington National Guard troops have fewer health care benefits than the regular Army troops. I want to make sure we take care of our own. We must provide these brave women and men with services they deserve.”

 

Ann is a Democrat.