Candidates for the Bainbridge Island City Council have submitted candidate statements for Kitsap County’s voters’s pamplet.

Richard “Dick” Haugan is seeking the North Ward, Position 7 seat on the Bainbridge Island City Council. His opponent is Val Tollefson.

Here is his statement as it will appear in the county voter’s guide.

Richard “Dick” Haugan

Biography: I am a 37-year Bainbridge resident who married and raised two children on the Island. After working for Boeing as a programmer-analyst and subsequently running a facility management contract, I launched my advertising and marketing career. This included directing a division of a Fortune 500 company and founding a major Seattle advertising agency. I currently run a consulting practice in advertising and database work. I am actively involved with APL fundraising in Seattle, a special-needs school dedicated to autism and am a supporter of Helpline House. I have a BS from Bradley University and an MBA from Seattle University.

Statement: I will use a “common sense” approach to city government: Budget/Fiscal. I will take steps to balance the needs of Bainbridge citizens with the financial resources available. We cannot spend what we don’t have. I will collaborate with other council members to prioritize projects and “stick to it”.

Management. We are coming out of a period where we have had four City Managers in four years. We must work in step with our City Manager to set policy and let him do his work. I will collaborate with council members to assess risk. This will avoid costly litigation and cost overruns. Finally, I will do my best to find better ways to incorporate citizen views into City policy.

Environment. This is our island. We must protect Puget Sound. It is among the highest environmental priorities and responsibilities we have. Working together we can find solutions, including inventive ways for all of us to control toxic storm water runoff.

“Dick is exactly the kind of guy we need on the city council. He’s a quick study with a collaborative, accessible style. He will protect the quality of life we all cherish for Bainbridge Island.” – Shawn and Chris Otorowski