Because of some of the negative information going around, I wanted to clarify a few things about my campaign for City Council. I did not get into this race for myself, I got into the race for the people of Mercer Island. I believe my experience with government and leadership provides a significant contribution.

First, my vision for the island. In regards to tolling I-90, I see a long fight in which our community unifies as never before. Our eventual victory will be a service to the entire region. By defeating this policy, we will help preserve the environment, the economy and the mobility for the entire region. Our community leadership in this fight will benefit people all over the state, and especially those struggling to make ends meet.

I see a town center that blends with the character and charm of the Island.  Instead of traffic, parking and large similar-looking buildings, I see a car-free area where people can gather or just hang out. I see a town center integrated with who we are, not something redefining us.

I see a community where people can grow old in the same house without getting taxed off the island.  I see a community where we have economic diversity, where the schools remain top notch and the parks are an integral part of our lives.

My experience and successes in the Coast Guard and leadership support this vision. Here are some examples:

While serving in Washington, D.C., the Coast Guard was faced with a crisis in aviation with readiness decreasing to 70%. As a result of my work obtaining budget increases, readiness returned to 100%, hundreds of additional lives were saved each year and the Coast Guard aviation fleet was adequately funded for repair parts for the next 20 years.

Arriving in Seattle as the Chief of Search and Rescue for the NW region, I faced a decades-old problem of training and retaining qualified rescue surfmen in the most hazardous water rescue environment in the world.  The solution I developed was a Readiness Management System that was eventually adopted as a foundation for the Coast Guard-wide system.

Presently, I am VP of a local leadership and management consulting firm called Best Christian Workplaces Institute. We consult with K-12 schools, Colleges and Universities, Churches, mission organizations, camps and others. Our goal is to help our organizations become the best workplaces in the world and to set the standard with motivated, engaged employees who achieve goals not thought possible.

I hope this helps clarify my campaign, and look forward to serving you. I will work hard for you, and appreciate your support.

Kevin Scheid

City Council Candidate, Position 2