The annexation of the North Juanita, Finn Hill and Kingsgate neighborhoods has been one of the biggest changes in Kirkland’s history. At the center of that change has been the Kirkland City Council, of which Jessica Greenway is a two-term member. She has helped to guide the city through all of the planning and implementation. Greenway also hopes to help make that transition more complete, as she seeks a third term this November.

“Figuring out the financial aspect and integrating the new neighborhoods into Kirkland are things I have experience and expertise in,” said Greenway, who is running against challenger Toby Nixon for Position No. 4. “My husband and I moved to South Rose Hill right after it had been annexed by Kirkland … I helped to establish the North Rose Hill and Bridle Trails Neighborhood Association and served as its first president. So I have the experience of being a citizen, a neighborhood association president and a city council member (with annexation issues).”

Most policy decisions for the council in the next session will have to do with annexation in one form or another and Greenway said the three most critical are integrating the neighborhoods, fiscal responsibility and public safety.

“My goal is to continue the great work our council has done balancing the budget,” said Greenway, who works as a financial planner and investment advisor. “It has been really hard and meant making some tough decisions. We have evolved into a system of setting priorities. It has been difficult but I am proud of the work the council has done. It has been outstanding because Kirkland is financially stable and not in any trouble.”

The councilwoman points to her business life, teaching her how to make tough choices and analyze financial situations, as a strength in her work on council.

“You really have to have a willingness to really delve into the budget,” said Greenway, who loves the process whereas some don’t.

Greenway said that the council has also taken the step to make those decisions with input from the community by way of a citizen survey. Greenway believes that the city has been able to maintain services that are citizens’ priorities through hard times.

“We have funded essential services out of predictable revenue,” said Greenway. “It is important to define that … Then we fund the nice things, the things we would like to have, if and when we can afford it.”

Greenway points to the fact that the city has been able to plan and will build a new public safety building and thinks about developing things like the Eastside rail corridor even through tough budget cycles. She also points out that Kirkland has maintained a AAA credit rating.

“I am so proud of this,” said Greenway. “The report from Standard and Poors really gave two main reasons, we have reserves and we have reserves’ policies … and that our council works well together. It is important to me to continue on with that work.”

The councilwoman said that part of that work is to continue the city’s economic development program. She said the city needs to do all it can to attract new businesses and grow economically.

“We have to continue to offer the complete package,” said Greenway. “Many businesses will relocate here because the CEO or owner wants to live in Kirkland.”

Greenway points out that even during the recent economic downturn Kirkland has continued to add new businesses. In 2008 the city had 3,456 businesses that are licensed to do business in Kirkland. In 2010 the city had 5,045.

Part of maintaining that and further growing the economy is also making sure the city has the right policies in place for things such as land use and transportation.

“We also have to keep the businesses that are already here and we have a business retention program that is a resource,” said Greenway.

The councilwoman said that the council needs to continue to work on new ways of doing things and thinking outside the box.

“I am very interested in the budget work that King County is doing,” said Greenway. “They have brought their employees in on the program … and asked them how to accomplish (the county’s) goals. We have always done this, but I would like to do this in a citywide way to provide a better standard of service.”

Greenway says that some of her proudest accomplishments as a part of the council are the N.E. 85th Street corridor improvements, the Transit Oriented Development at the South Kirkland Park and Ride and her part as the chair of the Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Advisory Committee in modernizing the transfer station infrastructure, including in Kirkland.

“I have this vast experience,” said Greenway. “I have lived in Kirkland for almost 25 years. I have served on the Park Board, the Planning Commission, I helped found a neighborhood association, I have been a volunteer in many different areas. Right now my husband and I live in Norkirk and we are traffic circle volunteers … So I have got this long and diverse history of being involved in so many things in Kirkland. It gives me a really broad outlook.”

Greenway said that she is really committed to an open process in government.

“I remember the days when the neighborhoods were really at odds with the city,” said Greenway. “It used to be ‘oh you have to fight city hall.’ I have seen that evolve to be a relationship where we see each other as a resource.”

That openness in government for Greenway means taking responsibility for how she votes on council.

“Something I always try to do is, over the dais, I explain in great detail, and sometimes it is boring, why I vote the way I do,” said Greenway. “I have this commitment to giving citizens unlimited access and giving them a voice on decisions that effect them. It is part of my value system.”

For more information on Jessica Greenway’s campaign visit www.kirklandforgreenway.com