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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Meeting regular files for Valley council run

Council meeting regular Jennie Willardson filed with the county Tuesday to run against Steve Taylor for position 2 on the Spokane Valley City Council.

Of herself, she said: “This is more a person who’s done a lot of volunteer work who wants to see their community develop in a positive manner.”

Just before filing, Willardson, 43, turned in a thesis for her master’s degree in history from Eastern Washington University, where she also earned a bachelor’s degree.

Since the city’s incorporation, she has been involved in committees on the library and the arts in Spokane Valley. “I’m the one who’s been on pretty much everything,” she said.

Recently, she has been talking with residents in the Greenacres and Ponderosa neighborhoods about development.

“I really thought, on the comprehensive plan, that we needed a dedicated neighborhood chapter,” she said.

Willardson also said the city should make better use of land near the Spokane River and charge developers impact fees for new projects. “They at least help with building new schools, parks and roads,” she said.

The council has not taken a position on impact fees.

Increasing park space in Spokane Valley to per capita levels closer to Spokane’s and Coeur d’Alene’s would also be a priority for Willardson, she said.

“We need a more livable city, and, although we want to encourage business, not business dominated,” she said.

Other issues that interest her include better efforts at publicizing committee openings and meetings and increasing public comment on development issues.

“I think I have a different perspective than what’s been on the City Council at looking at what the people think about things,” she said.