Candidate Profile: Phyllis Forister

What is your full, legal name?   Phyllis Forister

Where do you work and what is your job title?   President of Factsfinder.com, an information retrieval, employment screening and testing service and Security Equipment

When and Where Were You Born?   Wichita, Kansas

Where do you live now and how long have you lived there?   I live in Renton and have lived in Washington for 35 years

Spouse or domestic partner if any:   My husband, Karl (Steve) Forister

Children:    I have two children and one grandchild

Education (include graduation date(s), if any):   I graduated from West High in Wichita, Kansas and attended Friends University 

Military Service (include year(s) of discharge, if any):    

Memberships and affiliations with clubs and other organizations:   Block Watch

As an adult, have you been convicted or charged with a crime other than a minor traffic violation?   NO

If so, please explain and include dates and locations.  

CAMPAIGN INFORMATION:  

Web site: www.phyllisforrenton.com

Email address: Phone number: phyllis@factsfinder.com

Campaign manager: Beth Asher

Campaign manager contact information: betha@mittenthal.com, 425-227-5372

PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE(S):  

Elected:    

Other campaigns for public office:  Campaigned for and helped elect Linda Montgomery Buell to the City of Shoreline’s first City Council

THIS CAMPAIGN:  

What is the primary reason you are running for this office? 

I think Renton citizens deserve more input into their city government.  Residents deserve better communication from their City Council.  Before cutting critical services to at-risk residents of Renton, or impacting police, fire and emergency services the city needs to consider other means of balancing the budget.  If necessary services have to be cut due to economic cycles residents should have more input into where their remaining tax dollars are spent.

As an example, the current City Council has burdened Renton taxpayers to pay millions for moving our landmark Cedar River Library 4 blocks away from its current location.  There is no reason to give up the current landmark library which spans the Cedar River.  The Consultants for the city’s own Library Master Study, Miriam Pollack &  Associates, Tina Roose, Roose Research said that our current libraries are in sound condition and should continue to be maintained and used.  The building is sound, roomy and inviting as well as being a part of Liberty Park, where the original Carnegie Library was located.  The library historically being located in the park has made it an unofficial community center with access to tennis courts, ball fields, skateboard park and the Cedar River Trail leading to the Renton Community Center and swimming pool.  There’s also a bus stop right out front.  All of these things enhance the current location of Renton Cedar River Library.

We are in a deep recession.  The Mayor has said this many times in his speeches yet he and the Council obviously think it is acceptable to saddle Renton taxpayers with the financial burden to build two new libraries which will then be given to and owned by King County Library System (KCLS). This is the time for budget cuts and reducing of tax obligations for taxpayers not adding them.  Spending the millions needed to move a sound and thriving main branch library the equivalent of 4 city blocks unnecessarily burdens taxpayers in a down economy. 

With the cuts in the City budget, especially those made to essential services, this is not the right time for this spending decision.

What will be your top three priorities if you get elected and why?     

·       Open and responsive city government –Renton residents should have clear choices and input into how those choices impact them.  

·       Taxation with representation – Citizens should be informed and encouraged to speak and be heard on the issues facing them. Citizens will be asked to make hard decisions about annexations and spending for revitalization.  Special interests should not dictate these decisions.  Renton taxpayers should.

·       Term limits – In order to keep city government responsive I favor term limits for both the mayor and council members

What sets you apart from the other candidates and/or previous office holders?  

I intend to make transparency in government my focus.  All Renton citizens deserve to be supported, advocated for and respectfully listened to before decisions are made, not after. 

How much money do you expect your campaign to spend on this election?  

My campaign is supported by ordinary citizens of Renton.  It has no political party or special interest funding.  I intend to get out and meet Renton’s residents, not depend on heavy financial contributions.  I would welcome invitations to speak with concerned citizens’ groups, organizations, merchants and all Renton residents.  I can be contacted at my campaign website or by mail at P.O. Box 206, Renton, WA  98056-0206.