Bateman is the advocate that Olympia needs

I met Jessica Bateman after she announced her candidacy for Olympia City Council. I was intrigued by her campaign, especially her work on climate change, local food projects, and the Planning Commission. We met for coffee and I learned about her deep investment in our community. She is the first City Council candidate with whom I have felt a real connection.

I have volunteered on her campaign twice going door-to-door to talk with voters, learning more about how she will represent Olympia. Jessica wants to see downtown thrive. She wants to support economic development to build the tax base and revenue needed for social services and infrastructure. She is committed to advocating for cities by insisting that the Legislature restore funding for mental health services.

Jessica is a strong ally for the environment. As a student of environmental studies at Evergreen, she interned with the city on the climate action plan, serving as the liaison to community stakeholder groups. She understands the challenges of a growing population and the need for density in urban areas to protect rural communities and farmland from sprawl. She wants to see healthy urban ecosystems, and is supporting parks and water quality. She thinks critically, with the ability to review technical information and discern fact from fiction.

In the short time I have known Jessica, I have witnessed how she responds to issues with tact, diplomacy and integrity. She demonstrates collaborative leadership and will build the bridges

This story was originally published October 12, 2015 at 1:21 PM with the headline "Bateman is the advocate that Olympia needs."