About Me - Elect Pamela Randolph

What does One Community, Many Voices mean to me?

It means building bridges within our community in order to understand and accept the diverse views we hold. My commitment to our community is to listen for understanding and to be respectful of varied points of view. My strongly held belief is that community members should feel comfortable voicing their views without fear of retaliation. I am running for the City Council to build bridges, reduce divisiveness, and promote respectful interactions. I will promote the One Community, Many Voices approach to governance.

Why should you elect me?

Having been in public service for 40 years, protecting the waters of Puget Sound as a State certified wastewater treatment plant operator for the past 35 years, I arrived at a crossroads in my career. The conflicting priorities of Federal, State, and local government vs. environmental conservation vs. a sustainable future seem almost insurmountable. The only realistic path forward is to break down the barriers between us vs. them and begin listening to the diverse ideas of the community. I present to you my lived experience, and evidence of perseverance and integrity, in hopes of earning your support for Sammamish City Council Position #3.

Job history

Prior to 1988, while living in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, I focused on environmental projects, and earned the respect of my co-workers for energetically working with and leading two youth groups. This experience afforded me the opportunity to see the underlying socioeconomic challenge that existed between the Youth Conservation Corps, whom I advised, and the CSET team of youth who I lead. At that time, the CSET youth were offered the opportunity to spend the summer in the park working as opposed to a formal detention facility.

While I thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity, in 1988 I accepted a utility worker position with King County Metro. Through perseverance, ongoing education, and increased certification I advanced, in a non-traditional field for women, to an operations Supervisor position. I gained experience in process control, facilities, collections, dispute resolution and creative problem-solving. While at King County, I was afforded the opportunity to attend the University of Washington Business School’s Management Program.

After accepting the Assistant Division Manager of wastewater operations in Tacoma in 2004, I completed my Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis on Human Resources. I completed a Dispute Resolution Certification and volunteered on a Community Accountability Board (CAB) in Pierce County. CAB supports the youth and their families to create a positive change they would like to see by supplying needed resources.

In 2011 I accepted a treatment plant manager’s position in Edmonds. I continued my education, mentoring, and volunteer work. My dedication to water quality, biosolids beneficial use, fiscal responsibility, sustainability, energy reduction and greenhouse gas reductions in the field are well documented and available upon request.

As an active member of the Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association (PNCWA), I have presented several papers, volunteered as a mentor to youth, women and people of color who have pursued interests in the field of wastewater treatment, and visited high schools to talk about opportunities in the wastewater industry. After hiring two people from the Monroe Correctional Institution, I volunteered as a technical trainer for the wastewater treatment program in order to assist them, focusing on process control.

My career highlights

My career highlights are receiving the William D. Hatfield Award from the Water Environment Federation and the Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association for Outstanding Performance and Professionalism in the Operation of a Wastewater Treatment Facility and being instrumental in the City of Edmonds being awarded the Utility of the Future Today from the EPA. Building on these successes, recently, I started a consulting firm. Based out of Sammamish, the consulting firm will assist small communities with regulatory compliance.

Personal History

I have raised two boys who grew up enjoying what the NW has to offer! However, in 1991, I became a single parent. As a creative solution, I invited my sister, who was also a single parent, and her three children to live with us in Washington. Together, we raised five independent and successful children who thrive in our State. I attributed this success to my experience as a foster parent, in which I met the needs of our culturally diverse family. Learning to love, accept, and support children – where they are – is a passion of mine.

In 2010 I found myself doing everything I could to support my son through a period of homelessness and drug use. Again, personal perseverance paid off. Finding the resources and support needed for my son to successfully manage and recover from this dependence provides me with a unique perspective, that of empathy and compassion.

Charity support

I support charities that work with and protect children, rescue missions in our State, feeding the poor around the world, animal rights groups, and groups dedicated to protecting our civil liberties.

My activities

I enjoy family activities like hiking, camping, boating, gardening, and cooking. I have been blessed with two grandchildren who love to bake brownies, blow bubbles, play hopscotch, and dance with complete abandonment when we are together!

Why I am the best candidate to serve you on the city council?

These skills, experiences, and character traits are what I will rely upon as your representative on the Sammamish City Council. Specifically, my background in wastewater treatment operations, and facilities can provide valuable insight into the cost of services and the conflicting priorities we must navigate. Building bridges within our community necessitates the understanding and acceptance of diverse views. I will commit to listening for understanding, being respectful of varied points of view, being transparent in future planning and will be fiscally responsible. Above all else, I will promote the One Community, Many Voices approach to governance.

Paid for by

Friends of Pamela Randolph

704 228th Ave NE, #276
Sammamish, WA 98074

pamela@electpamelarandolph.com