Barbara Phillips seeks seat on Kent City Council | Election 2013

Barbara Phillips has announced her plans to run for the Kent City Council.

Phillips is running against Ken Sharp and Bailey Stober to replace Elizabeth Albertson for Position No. 6. Phillips is vice chair on the city Land Use and Planning Board. She ran unsuccessfully against Albertson for the council in 2009.

Sharp is owner of Minuteman Press in Kent. He served last year as president of the Kent Chamber of Commerce. Stober works as executive assistant to the Washington State Commission on African American Affairs. Stober lost a 2011 run for the City Council against incumbent Deborah Ranniger.

Sharp and Stober announced their candidacy plans earlier this year.

The primary election is Aug. 6 and the general election Nov. 5. The top two candidates among Sharp, Stober and Phillips advance to the general election.

Here is a media release sent by Phillips:

“My family has called Kent home for 20 years, and I believe in the honor of public service. I have served on the City of Kent’s Land Use and Planning Board, which provides important guidance to the City Council on shaping the future of our community. I earned an appointment to the Mayor’s Advisory Team, providing valuable feedback about the issues facing Kent’s underserved communities.

I am committed to a strong education system, both through my election as President of the Kent Meridian High School PTA, to serving on the Kent School District Diversity Task Force. Our diversity plan, received national acclaim and recognition by civil rights leaders and educators alike as a model diversity strategy for the nation. This memorable and collaborative experience brought together ordinary people, from diverse backgrounds and we achieved extraordinary results.

With other Kent leaders, I co-founded and currently serve as President of the Community Network Council which serves families on the East Hill through two elementary schools, and partners with the Kent Police Department to foster healthy communities for our youth.

Although, I live on the East Hill, I am committed to serving the residents of the West Hill, I worked to secure a grant in partnership with Growing Transit Communities, which works to build coalitions and gather input from the neighborhoods on the important issue of future transit station location and the impacts to our current residents.

I believe that, even as we celebrate our diversity, we have far more in common than we do differences. I care about Kent and I want to work with you to strengthen our neighborhoods, create new opportunities for economic development, build bridges with our schools and celebrate our community. I would be honored with your early support and your vote on Election Day.”