Dear Friends,

It is official--I am running for Whatcom County Council. It is time for our values and priorities to shape public policy.

I am excited to take this step. I envision a county that we can be proud to hand to our children and grandchildren--where they can hunt, fish, camp, and bike, where they can earn a living, where they know their neighbors, and where they have a say in their communities. My priorities on the Whatcom County Council will include:

• I will protect our communities from irresponsible development. We must be stewards of our resource lands, and we must not sprawl into our working farms, forests and water supply.



• I will restrain spending and search for savings. If we are using tax dollars wisely and frugally, our citizens will respect and appreciate it. We need to run county government efficiently and transparently to earn the faith of the people.



• I will support our local economy and job creation.I will foster the development and success of independent, locally-owned businesses, which are the engine of a strong economy. supply.

Since 1992, I have worked in finance, civil engineering, and construction. For the past five years, I have been at the forefront of land use and growth discussions as a member and Chairman of the Whatcom County Planning Commission. I have gained valuable knowledge and experience that has prepared me for service on the County Council.

My wife, Amy, and I have been married for nine years, and we were lucky enough to be able to build our own home right here in Whatcom County. We started a company that restores older buildings within existing urban areas. Amy serves on the board of the Pickford Film Association and I volunteer in the Friendly Visitors program and the Interfaith Coalition.

As a small business owner, I know how important it is to set goals and have a plan to reach them. I have worked hard to make our small business profitable and honor our values of sustainability and community. I will bring these same principles to the Whatcom County Council.

Together we will make a difference in 2009. As your Whatcom County Councilman, I will work to protect our working farms and forestlands, preserve our natural resources, strengthen our local economy, and keep Whatcom County the place we love to call home. Please feel free to contact me at any time, and thank you for your support!

Sincerely, Ken Mann

I envision a County that we are proud to hand to our children and grandchildren - where they can hunt, fish, camp, and bike, where they can farm the land, where they know their neighbors, and where they have a say in their communities. - Ken Mann