Meet James A. Hart, Candidate for Kirkland City Council

Editor's note: Here's another in a series of candidate profiles Patch is bringing to you for the 2011 elections. James A. Hart is challenging incumbent Dave Asher in Tuesday's primary for the Position 6 seat on the Kirkland City Council, along with Martin Morgan of Rose Hill. Here is Asher's candidate profile, posted on Aug. 3. Morgan has not responded to Kirkland's Patch's request for profile information.

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Full name:

James Andrew Hart 

Occupation and place employment:

Professional Land Surveyorm owner of Jim Hart & Associates, LLC (Kirkland)

When and Where Were You Born? 

April 22, 1923 – Seattle, WA. 
 
Where do you live now and  how long have you lived there? 

Kirkland – 35 years 
 
Spouse or domestic partner: 

Sally S. Hart 
 
Children:

Jamie (Deceased), Keri, Kim, four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Education (include graduation date(s), if any): 

Attended UW and WSU 
 
Military Service:  

N/A 
 
Memberships and affiliations with organizations: 

Land Surveyors Association of Washington (LSAW), Kirkland Rotary, Lake Washington Ski Council, Moss Bay Celebration.

 
Have you or a business you owned ever filed bankruptcy? 

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

No 
 

CAMPAIGN INFORMATION 
 
Web site: www.hartforkirkland.com 
Email address: info@hartforkirkland.com 
Phone number: 425-822-4171 
Campaign manager: Chris Morgan 
Campaign manager contact information: csmorgan@gmail.com / 206-718-3633 
 
PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE(S): 
 
Elected: Houghton Community Council
 
Other campaigns for public office: 
Kirkland City Council (Campaign) 
 
THIS CAMPAIGN: 
 
What is the primary reason you are running for this office?  

I look around and see too many vacant businesses in our community – largely a result of the council’s policies and ‘head-tax’.  I’d like to welcome all who would like to provide services to our citizens.  My opponent’s votes against the annexation was also sticking point. 

I feel the incumbent’s 12 years in office has not served the citizens and businesses of Kirkland well, a fresh set of eyes for this job is required and those are mine.  

 
What will be your top three priorities if you get elected and why?  
 
Ending the “Head Tax”

As a business owner, I can see the effects of a Council that has treated our local businesses as an unending source of revenue.  Especially in these hard economic times, it is time the Council view our local businesses as the lifeblood of the community and to treat them as such.  I would work to end the overly burdensome “head tax” that has led to far too many empty spaces in our community.  I can draw a clear difference here with my opponent, who hasn’t seemed to vote ‘no’ on any tax on our small businesses.  

Helping the City Live Within Its Means   

The benefit of my education and hands-on work experience is that I would approach budget issues from a business perspective.  My approach to budget issues would be pragmatic.  I know how to identify when we need to “do without” as well as make the choices that will best benefit our residents and businesses.   I thank and commend the city employees for taking a reduction in hours in order to keep more employed.  I will work tirelessly to ensure we meet our budgets- which is the most fundamental obligation we have to our residents.

Welcome Our New Residents 

I want the Council to work to successfully merge the existing and new neighborhoods into a cohesive unit. What can the Council do that will ease concerns and help these new citizens feel truly welcomed and proud to be part of Kirkland? I was working in Kirkland during the 1968 merger with Houghton and living in Kirkland during the annexation of Rose Hill in 1988. Some of the things done then were to make sure that these new areas were briefed by City Staff on code changes; that their infrastructure was improved to a level equal with the rest of the city and neighborhoods were given encouragement and recognition through appropriate signage and meetings.

On a financial basis, we are beholden to the health of the economy: locally, nationally and globally, whether we like it or not. Therefore, while recognizing that the Central Business District may be pre-eminent, Kirkland has many business districts. Let us work to encourage and strengthen all of them.

I’m in a unique position as a property owner in the Houghton are and the newly merged Finn Hill area.  I have a vested interest in the economic vitality in both areas.

 
What sets you apart from the other candidates and/or previous office holders? 
 
As a local business person, I have met payrolls and worked within a budget.  I have the unique perspective of seeing how our City Council policies affect our private sector business owners – the lifeblood of our community. 

My incumbent has worked for government entities for his entire life and has not been sensitive to the needs of our business community.  His consistent votes to raise taxes on our citizens and businesses does not comport with my ideals of how government should serve the people. 
 
How much money do you expect your campaign to spend on this election? 
 
As much as I can raise from the citizens of Kirkland who are eager for a change. 

Please list your major endorsements 

Former Mayor Bill Woods, numerous Local Business Leaders, King County GOP