The Suburban Times

A community bulletin board for Western Pierce County.

Mike Swalko announces Lakewood City Council election bid, Position 6.

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Submitted by Mike Swalko.

Mike Swalko announces his candidacy for Lakewood City Council, Position 6 replacing Marie Barth who is retiring after eight years of distinguished and honorable service. As a retired Army Colonel with over 31 years on active duty, Mike knows a little about leadership and selfless service. During his Army career, he has proven his commitment to our Nation in various capacities and roles and now wants to direct this same level of commitment to Lakewood, his home of the past five years, by becoming your next City Council Member. Mike and his wife, Angelika of 39 years have two adult daughters, Nichole and Allison, along with a six-year-old rescued dog named Zady.

“Our city of Lakewood must continue to build on policies advancing both short- & long-term goals that embrace and support good family wage earning jobs while keeping taxes and fees in check. Lakewood has made great strides in the last few years in multiple areas impacting all of us from public safety to recreational areas. But Lakewood must continue this effort to ensure its vitality, viability, and livability…and we will. Our involvement with our community, business, military, other governmental entities, and neighborhood partners and stakeholders remain strong, but cannot be underestimated or taken for granted. We must continue to strive for excellence in all we do from managing the budget to communicating and listening to our citizens and stakeholders. How can we build that winning formula…through building trusting relationships with our citizens and stakeholders. Our policies therefore must undergo a thorough and rigorous review to ensure the cost to benefit ratio is not burdensome or inappropriate or unfair to the taxpayer. Such policies must consider job growth in a sustainable manner without compromising public safety, creating urban sprawl, inefficiencies, or impinging on our open spaces and neighborhoods. Let’s continue to work together towards a shared common goal of advancing successful policies thereby setting the conditions which promote and enhance the livability of Lakewood.”

Comments

    • Hi and thanks for your comment. My commitment is to the people of Lakewood if I’m elected. I appreciate why there are those with such concerns and acknowledge such concerns. To be candid with you, I personally feel those elected by the people have an obligation to serve their constituents in a honest and faithful manner. With that, I am unable to provide you with a direct answer to you question regarding if I would serve only one term as this issue and decision rests with people of Lakewood. As you know City Council terms are four years and members can serve for a total of two terms. Hope that helps some. Best, Mike

    • Hi Joan,
      Appreciate you taking the time to read my announcement. This is my first run for public office so I have much to learn as I begin the process. I look forward to hearing more from you and others as well as meeting the Lakewood constituents I hope to serve. Best, Mike

  3. A lot of lofty objectives without much in the way of specifics. I see the word “must” used over and over again when discussing his objectives. I think however it would be more enlightening to hear “how” all these “musts” are going to be accomplished. “Motherhood and apple pie” reveals little about what to expect from this candidate. It’s great to set a noble objectives but the real challenge is finding a route or routes to those objectives. Sounds like a speech a politician would give.

    • Hi John,
      Thanks for your response to my announcement and please know I understand your concerns regarding how I structured it including the objectives. I have never had the honor to serve in public office, so my announcement may have come off more as a political speech to some simply because I wanted to cover a broad area in a very short and concise format. Totally agree with you on the “how” part of your concern as this is indeed the meat and potatoes of the formula. As you may know, managing a business or even a household requires a team of good people dedicated to the mission. This requires building trust with those we work with and for. Not an easy task as in most cases this requires time, consistency, dedication, and active communication. What I hope to provide to the people of Lakewood if elected, is a member willing to sit down with our stakeholders, listen to their issues, concerns, and stories so collectively we can bridge a path to an outcome we all agree with. Please feel free to respond with concerns, soecfics, etc and I will do my best to address. Best, Mike

    • Thanks Jerry for your response. I look forward to discussing some ideas with you and others on how we can continue to make Lakewood an even better place to call home for all. Best, Mike