2025 City of Stevenson Mayor, Stevenson City Council and Skamania County Hospital Commissioner Candidate Q&A

The Skamania County Chamber of Commerce invited candidates running for City of Stevenson Mayor, City Council and Skamania County Hospital District positions to participate in a Q&A to inform our members and the greater community about the candidates and their visions for the future.  The following are their responses to questions that were focused on economic vitality, business development, education, and community health.

What specific policies or initiatives will you champion to attract new and support current small businesses in Stevenson to ensure we have a vibrant and thriving economy?

Scott Anderson – Mayor:  As a former small business owner, I recognize the critical role organizations like the Skamania EDC play in our community. They offer invaluable resources such as training programs and financial tools for business development, retention, and expansion. As mayor, I would advocate for continued strong support of this partnership.

I am also a proud founding member of the Stevenson Downtown Association (SDA). Their commitment to revitalizing our downtown through placemaking and business support aligns perfectly with my vision. I will continue to champion their efforts and strengthen our partnership to promote business diversity and enhance the resilience of our downtown.

Furthermore, it is crucial that we communicate with our legislators about the potential negative impact of Senate Bill 5813, which proposes raising the Capital Gains Tax from 7% to 9.9%. This increase could significantly hinder local businesses and discourage investment in Washington.

Lucy Lauser – Mayor: I think we need a more community-focused approach. Developing a town plaza at the courthouse lawn with public restrooms, and constructing roundabouts at each end of town to direct through-traffic onto 1st Street would be good steps to make downtown more inviting as a place for people to spend time (and money). Washington’s new shared streets law would also allow us to lower the speed limit on 2nd Street and make the area more friendly to pedestrians.

Personally, I’ve been working on a plan for a community rec center in downtown Stevenson. Some of the ideas for the project include a storefront for local artisans, and sort of a small business incubator with resources for entrepreneurs. Also, making sure people have stable housing and reliable access to necessities gives them more freedom to do things like starting a business

Jenny Collins Taylor – Mayor: Stevenson’s economic future depends on finding the right balance: supporting small businesses that want to grow and thrive, while protecting the sense of community that the people who live here love.

Our local businesses are more than storefronts. They’re neighbors, employers, volunteers, and part of the fabric of this town. As Mayor, I’ll champion policies that make it easier to start and sustain a business in Stevenson without sacrificing livability, affordability or our small-town character.

My approach includes:

• Modernizing Permitting and Licensing – I will streamline the permitting process to make it more efficient, predictable, and transparent. Business owners shouldn’t have to jump through hoops or hire consultants just to navigate a system that should be working for them. That includes making signage regulations clearer and more business-friendly. City Hall should operate with the same level of service and responsiveness we expect from the private sector: approachable, solutions-focused, and committed to helping people succeed.

• Fixing What’s Underneath – We can’t have a thriving economy without functioning infrastructure. Too many of our core systems — water, sewer, stormwater, and roads — are outdated or failing. I will prioritize investments in the infrastructure you don’t see, because when those systems break, businesses suffer. At the same time, the City must be more cost-conscious and explore ways to reduce sewer rates. Our residents and small businesses deserve affordable, reliable service without runaway costs.

• Protecting and Enhancing Downtown for Locals – Much of the beautification and walkability work downtown has already been done, and that’s a good thing. Now it’s time to focus on how we make downtown more usable, comfortable, and enjoyable for the whole community — those who live, work, and spend time here. That means supporting businesses that serve locals year-round, encouraging community-centered events, improving winter accessibility, and making sure our public spaces are welcoming for families, seniors, and working residents — not just tourists.
• Keeping Stevenson’s Identity Intact – Tourism is part of our economy, but it shouldn’t define us. Growth must be intentional and community-first. A successful economy strengthens our town; it doesn’t push people out.

As Mayor, I’ll advocate for business growth that is responsible, locally grounded, and built for the long haul — not just the next fiscal year. That’s how we build a future Stevenson families and business owners can both believe in.

Tina VanPelt – City Council Position #1: I would like to research the possibility of reducing the System Development Charges for new businesses and promote existing businesses through offering incentives to expand, remodel or otherwise make their business better.  I feel that in order for Stevenson to grow and prosper, we have to support our local businesses as much as possible to ensure their future growth and continued success.

Jeff Breckel – City Council Position #2:  Ensuring a vibrant and thriving local economy depends on strong public/private partnership.  In 2019, the city embarked on an effort to develop the “Stevenson Downtown Plan for Success”.  That effort brought together city, county and port officials, representatives of the Chamber of Commerce, the Stevenson Downtown Association and the Skamania County Economic Development Council and the public to create a vision and plan of action for a viable downtown serving the needs of visitors and residents alike.   While the city has undertaken several measures and projects identified in the plan, efforts to build the partnership needed to effectively implement plan have largely languished.   We need to rekindle the energy and enthusiasm that went into that plan, revisit the actions proposed, focus our priorities and build the partnership needed to succeed.   We need a collective commitment to action.  As a council member, I will be committed to building cooperative partnerships needed to grow our local economy and downtown business community.

Erin Minnis – City Council Position #2:  I’d like to work to simplify and expedite the permitting, zoning and licensing processes.  Better communication between businesses and the city.  Help to reduce unnecessary fees, and try to make it easier for local businesses to open, grow & thrive.  I’ll celebrate local success stories, show up for ribbon cuttings, listen to concerns, and be a consistent advocate for businesses- large and small- and every step of the way.

How do you plan to collaborate with local organizations—including the Chamber, Downtown Association, Economic Development, and Schools—to meet the current and future needs of our local workforce?

Scott Anderson – Mayor: A skilled local workforce begins in our schools. While many jobs in hospitality and manufacturing offer in-house training, there’s a need for skills such as accounting and management that can be developed within our educational institutions. Graduates with these enhanced skill sets are a significant asset to employers and make Stevenson an attractive location for businesses considering relocation or startup.

We must move beyond the sole measure of success being a college degree. By collaborating with our partners, we can explore innovative funding solutions for enhanced trade training, including programs that foster entrepreneurship by teaching students how to start and manage a business.

Lucy Lauser – Mayor: 

Continuing with the theme of community-building, I’ve heard a lot of people at different organizations talking about wanting to do similar things, and I’ve talked to many of them about the community center plan. There are also existing projects that could be expanded with more resources and collaboration. My dream is to have a reliable web of communication and mutual aid between organizations so we can work together on projects where our interests overlap, and avoid duplicating effort or competing when we should be collaborating.

I’m also interested in a more action-oriented approach. It frustrates me when we have a lot of meetings and people spend a lot of time talking about doing something, but then it never gets done. This community has been talking about needing a youth center for several decades, and we’re finally opening one this summer. It just took a team of people who were ready to take action and do the work to make it real. The Skamania Pride event I helped organize this year involved the work of over 100 people to make it happen. We should create opportunities for action and encourage everyone to step up and participate. I love what the downtown association does with Spruce Up Stevenson and the Streatery. More of that!

Jenny Collins Taylor – Mayor: Collaboration isn’t optional—it’s essential. As a fourth-generation resident of Stevenson, I’ve spent a lifetime listening, learning, and connecting the dots between people, projects, and priorities. I’ve built strong relationships across Skamania County and know how to bring the right voices to the table to move good ideas into action.

Stevenson has a proud history of vocational education and workforce readiness. Our community is filled with builders, tradespeople, and entrepreneurs who know how to get things done. Our next industry can—and should—grow from right here at home. It’s time to double down on that strength and create opportunities for the next generation to thrive.

My approach includes:

• Joining Local Coordination Efforts – I will actively participate in existing roundtables like the Springboard Committee — the brainchild of State Representative Kevin Waters — where public agencies come together to prioritize projects and align funding strategies. Too often, City initiatives have caught local agencies off guard, leading to missed opportunities. In some cases, we’ve even found ourselves unknowingly competing for the same state funding, which makes our community look uncoordinated and unprepared. Each agency has a core mission to fulfill. By staying focused on our respective roles while aligning early, we can build on each other’s momentum, present a united front, and avoid duplicating efforts. It’s not just good governance — it’s good business sense. I’ll ensure our local agencies are not only informed, but that the City’s priorities are well-represented with transparency, collaboration, and the kind of thoughtful persuasion it takes to get things moving.

• Supporting Working Families and Local Talent – I will advocate for the infrastructure, services, and job opportunities families need to build lasting lives in Stevenson. That includes ensuring access to affordable housing and childcare, and working with the Skamania County Commissioners, the Economic Development Council, and the Port of Skamania to attract a diverse mix of family-wage employers that match the strengths of our local workforce. Whether it’s advanced manufacturing, light industry, or trades-based entrepreneurship, our goal should be to make Stevenson a place where working families can succeed and contribute for generations.

Tina VanPelt – City Council Position #1: I would work towards setting up a relocation program that could help potential and current workforce employees find and keep adequate housing.  Further a collaboration between multiple organizations could implement a temporary internship type program with individuals new to the workforce to help them acquire the skills necessary to become future leaders in our community.   The school system could be able to provide much needed technical support reinstating the real life and vocational programs that have been stripped from the curriculum in the past years.  As with many of the issues we face today, there is no one big solution but rather many smaller ideas. By working together we can help the local economy and the schools enrollment by creating generational families that stay and work in our area.

Jeff Breckel – City Council Position #2: Empolment opportunities. Job training. Affordable housing. The issues facing our local workforce are often beyond the ability of any single agency or organization to address on their own.  They demand a collaborative approach whereby parties are willing to cooperate and commit their individual skills and abilities to achieve a common goal.    Such collaboration depends on regular, ongoing and open communications among all parties.  Throughout my career I have worked to bring people together to address challenging issues and capitalize on opportunities.  As a city council member, I would draw on this experience to work with chamber, downtown association, business owners, and the schools to understand and address the workforce needs.

Erin Minnis – City Council Position #2: The purpose of my campaign is to put people first. This includes the leadership of organizations, businesses and churches.  I would like to meet with our local leaders and gain knowledge of the specific issues they face and work together to find solutions that benefit the development and growth of Stevenson.  I will support partnerships with the local schools, trade programs and employers to prepare our children and residents for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

A thriving local workforce depends on access to affordable housing. What specific strategies do you support to increase the availability of affordable and workforce housing in our rural community?

Scott Anderson – Mayor: Increasing the availability of affordable and workforce housing has long been a city goal, though challenges remain.

Zoning and Density: While introducing changes to current zoning for higher density has met with resistance, we need to foster more open communication with Stevenson residents to explore all aspects of this discussion.

Infrastructure: Inadequate sewer and water infrastructure has consistently been a barrier to new housing, particularly for workforce and affordable options. The City will continue to explore various funding avenues and incentives for builders, such as reduced or deferred System Development Charges (SDCs).

Available Lands: As a city within the National Scenic Area, our growth is constrained. While annexation of certain areas is possible, it would also present infrastructure challenges. Regionally, there are potential sites for workforce and affordable housing, such as in the Carson area, but again, infrastructure is a key hurdle.

Solving our workforce and affordable housing challenges will require collaborative conversations and planning at both the City and County levels, along with engagement from residents and builders.

Lucy Lauser – Mayor: As someone who spent a few years homeless, doing something about housing is my primary interest. Even before I became homeless it was almost impossible to find anything to rent. I’m now a resident of low-income housing and my total income is less than the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment. Unfortunately there are a lot of competing interests and social norms that are blocking progress. We’re also in a massive housing price bubble. I think we need bold political action to limit rent increases and corporate ownership of housing. Also, vacation rentals should only be allowed at legal hotels or on the property where you live, so our residential housing stock isn’t being consumed by investors turning them into AirBnBs.

Given our status as a very beautiful, desirable area with limited land for development and a high demand for vacation rentals, affordable housing needs to be prioritized over luxury vacation homes for non-residents. I think right now we should be building as much affordable housing as we can to add supply and bring prices down. I believe Austin TX has had some success with that approach. I know someone who started a nonprofit that’s been building modular tiny home villages in Vancouver, and we’ve talked over the last few years about doing one here. If we made it a priority, we could quickly add a few dozen new affordable housing units. But that would require electing leaders who see it as a priority. Something has to be done before our community becomes just a resort for wealthy outsiders.

Jenny Collins Taylor – Mayor: We can’t build a strong workforce if people can’t afford to live here. I support a mix of strategies that promote long-term affordability, protect housing stock for local residents, and reduce unnecessary barriers to building homes that meet real community needs.

My approach includes:

• Bring Balance to Short-Term Rentals  – Short-term rentals play a role in our local economy, but we need to ensure they don’t come at the expense of long-term housing options for residents. The City already has a short-term rental program in place, but it would benefit from more active management, clearer communication, and consistent enforcement. I support placing a cap on the total number of vacation rentals and adjusting permit fees to reflect the impact of ownership by individuals and corporations outside our community. Permits should be time-limited and renewed based on compliance and community feedback. We should also consider neighborhood-level limits to prevent overconcentration and look for opportunities to reinvest a portion of permit revenue into local housing and infrastructure. Regular impact reviews can help us keep policies aligned with community goals and neighborhood stability.

• Reduce Barriers to Building – In conversations with local builders, Stevenson’s permitting process is consistently described as one of the most cumbersome, confusing, and inconsistent systems they’ve ever encountered. That adds cost, delays projects, and pushes much-needed housing out of reach. More regulation often means more expense — and when building becomes too expensive, it simply doesn’t happen. I will work to simplify, clarify, and standardize the City’s development processes to reduce friction for quality housing projects. This includes clearer design standards, predictable timelines, and better coordination between staff and applicants.

• Promote Housing for Local Needs -The City should prioritize housing that serves the people who already live and work here. I support policies that make it easier to build smaller homes, duplexes, and multi-unit dwellings that fit within the scale and character of our neighborhoods. We should also promote mixed-use housing downtown, where it can support local businesses, reduce car trips, and contribute to a vibrant community feel.
• Use Resources Wisely – We must be cautious about hiring expensive outside consultants to tell us things we already know — especially when those dollars leave our community. Too often, developers and property owners are forced to pay for studies, assessments, and consulting work that adds cost without delivering local value. I’ll ensure we are cost-conscious and solutions-oriented in how we use our planning resources.

Stevenson’s business community deserves leadership that understands your challenges, values your role, and fights for solutions. I’m committed to making it easier to do business here while protecting the community we all depend on.

Tina VanPelt – City Council Position #1: We need to be open to all the options available to incentivize builders and developers to pursue projects that create affordable housing for our local community.   This would include the City working with property owners to partner on projects that benefit the local workforce.  Retaining our current residents who live and work here will also help our local businesses by ensuring adequate employees are available to grow their business.

Jeff Breckel – City Council Position #2: Ensuring adequate, affordable housing is a complex and multi-faceted issue for which there is no simple solution.  As chair of the City Planning Commission, I have struggled with this issue.  The city has significant undeveloped areas zoned for higher density residential use and is working to extend water and sewer services needed to support such development.  But we still have a shortage of affordable housing.  We need to bring together landowners and builders, local lending institutions, realtors and stakeholders to better understand why the need is not being met and what needs to be done.   The city should take the lead in this effort and actively pursue actions it can take in concert with others to help ensure our housing needs are met.

Erin Minnis – City Council Position #2: There is no doubt that affordable housing is a very important issue for our community.  While I don’t have specific ideas, I do have a desire to be a part of the solutions.  I want to see young families be able to raise their children in Stevenson, but to do this, there needs to be housing they can afford and local jobs for them to work.