Government
Gig Harbor Council 7: Storset vying for Abersold’s seat
Incumbent Spencer Abersold is being challenged by political newcomer Seth Storset for Gig Harbor City Council Position 7.
Abersold, a lifelong Gig Harbor resident, is completing his first term as a Council member. In seeking re-election, he said, his priorities include helping the community find a way out of the COVID pandemic.
The Spencer Abersold-Seth Storset race for Position 7 is among four City Council seats being contested in the Nov. 2 election. Ed Friedrich / Gig Harbor Now
“It’s like we’re in a tunnel and we can see the light at the end, but we need to stay on the tracks and just keep doing our part and heading for that light,” he said.
COVID has brought with it an energy crisis, high unemployment rates and supply issues that are especially troubling, he said.
“What happens if we need a part for a major project and it’s stuck in port in the Philippines or somewhere? Or, heaven forbid, we need a chemical for our wastewater treatment plant and we can’t get it,” he said. “We’ll get through this, of course, but we need to be prepared over the next 18 months so we can turn this around and fix our problems.
“We need to put aside our politics and come together. I hope at the end that we’ll realize that we’re all one and that the COVID crisis, like the global warming crisis, can bring us together. History can teach us good lessons and good habits.”
There are no yard signs or banners advertising Abersold’s candidacy because he “feels strongly that people don’t appreciate all the clutter that those signs add to our neighborhoods.”
Storset has lived in Gig Harbor since he was 13. He and his family reside downtown in the Finholm district. He says that Gig Harbor is “the kind of place that you really love, and if you ever left, you’d want to move back here.”
He added that, as the father of two children, ages 6 and 9, he can represent the many families that call Gig Harbor home.
“And as a parent I’m very aware of things like the fact that we need more sidewalks in our residential areas and near our schools, for example,” he said.
He’s also keenly aware of how many family-owned businesses are struggling.
“I’ve been watching City Council meetings and hearing about the issues we face and I just decided that I want to be part of the solution,” he said. “I think I can represent all of Gig Harbor. I’ll be an ear for people and listen to what matters to them. And I’ll also be a voice for them. And I’ll explain why things are being done.”
Abersold does not accept campaign contributions. Storset has raised $3,277 with zero expenditures, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission’s latest figures.
On Sept. 30, Gig Harbor Now sent an identical questionnaire to each City Council candidate. We are printing their responses verbatim.
Seth Storset
1. Should city government facilitate the building of more affordable housing? How?
In recently years and in the years to come we Washington State will be forcing communities like Gig Harbor to allow more affordable housing. Where these projects will go is always tricky, but there are some places that make more sense than others, such as in areas where residents can walk to needed goods and services, along bus routes and parks. Placement of affordable housing in some of our currently developed areas could greatly benefit our local businesses.
Seth Storset
2. What can the Council do to maintain the city’s small, charming personality while adhering to the Growth Management Act and other growth pressures?
While the State Growth Management Act is powerful, there are still things the City of Gig Harbor can do to retain the character that defines Gig Harbor. A few of these are protecting the historic, waterfront and view basin areas. Attention to the style, size and scale of development is important throughout the City. Even when change is forced on us, we can always implement Gig Harbor solutions to help lessen the impacts.
3. Many city employees have been characterized recently as dissatisfied and have left their jobs. What can be done to reverse this trend?
The dedication, and abilities of our City staff is impressive. It’s sad to witness what has happened to City of Gig Harbor employees who have endured over the past four years. With a new Mayor taking over in January, treating staff with kindness, respect and trust I believe much improvement can be achieved. What we have witnessed over the past four years should never happen again.
4. How can city government assure that infrastructure keeps up with growth?
The infrastructure of the City of Gig Harbor is largely meeting and exceeding the needs of the community. Our water, sewer and stormwater utilities have good systems in place and we are financially well positioned to deal with the needs of the future. The areas we come up short are transportation and parks, specifically fields for our youth. Most of our largest transportation solutions require support from Washington State, as it controls State Route 16, which cuts our community in half. Working with our State legislative delegation is critical. For local roads we have revenue from the recent sales tax and increase in Transportation Impact Fees on new construction that has been piling up.
5. What would be your top priority should you be elected or re-elected to the Council?
I am committed to representing the Citizens of the City of Gig Harbor, so my priorities are their properties. Much of what I hear from fellow citizens relates to growth, and how Gig Harbor is going to meet that challenge from traffic to constructing the entire sports complex & other parks to taxes & utility rates. I am committed to, and look forwards to, serving the interests of our wonderful community.
Spencer Abersold
1. Should city government facilitate the building of more affordable housing? How?
Philosophically yes, is The City of Gig Harbor in any position to do it on its own? No. The City would need to partner with the County and the State as well as private corporations. The City of Gig Harbor does not have the budgetary resources or the available lands needed to create affordable housing on its own.
Spencer Abersold
2. What can the Council do to maintain the city’s small, charming personality while adhering to the Growth Management Act and other growth pressure
First we need to recognize our choices. I believe if no new home construction happened within the City limits Gig Harbor citizens will still face an onslaught of development on the outskirts of its borders by Pierce County. Our population at night is 11k and doubles to 20k during the day from residents who live outside our city limits but do their shopping, entertainment and enjoy our City and its opportunities. We need to pivot from land development as our source of City finance and move to a service oriented business environment to protect our existing way of life. Gig Harbor began as a service industry community with our timber and fishing industry. Our heritage sprang from those families who recognized the vast beauty and perfect natural habitat that surrounds us and sought ways to protect it and at the same time create a vibrant, sustainable community within. That same goal must exist today as our work in not finished. The responsibility passes from generation to generation.
3. Many city employees have been characterized recently as dissatisfied and have left their jobs. What can be done to reverse this trend?
First we need to recognize labor trends. Dept of labor studies have concluded that employees above the age 50 tend to stay an avg of 8-11 years in their current employment. Employees under that age group are now trending at 4-6 years in their current career. Making more upward mobility opportunities and career growth as well as a competitive salary structure have been determined as credible employment retention practices. The Mayor should work with our HR dept to target opportunities like these to make Gig Harbor city staff more inclined to make Gig Harbor their personal choice for employment.
4. How can city government assure that infrastructure keeps up with growth?
We can begin by targeting business that are service based and where available allow for expansion. For example our gas stations need to grow from 8 gas stalls to 12-16 stalls. Our shopping centers need an additional 200-300 parking stalls. Our local retailers should focus more on year round local community needs and move away from seasonal tourists retail. A gas dock certainly couldn’t hurt, and we need to elect Gig Harbor citizens to The Pierce County Council to try and limit the amount of growth the county is going to impose on our city outside our city’s borders.
5. What would be your top priority should you be elected or re-elected to the Council?
Guiding our community through the darkness of covid and its effects on our society in the near term. Pushing the mayor to budget for an additional 3-4 police officers to combat crime and speeding, over the next 4 years would be my midterm. And longterm goal would be to get Commercial Fisherman’s dock and Gig Harbor Sports complex finished. As well as start planning our community’s pivot from a economy dependent on land development to a service bases economy.