A familiar face is a breath of fresh air in the race for Island County
Jill Johnson
Commissioner District 2. Jill Johnson, Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, announced she is running for Island County Commissioner as a Republican against Angie Homola.
“I grew up in Island County and look forward to giving back and serving the people of Oak Harbor and all of Island County,” Johnson stated. “I believe that we need local leadership to tackle the challenges the County is facing, someone who knows our communities and understands our values.”
Johnson is a vocal advocate for local businesses and policies that promote and encourage job growth.
“Island County is a beautiful place to live, but it’s time to be more vigilant in the protection of our local economies,” she stated. “We need to do all we can to continue to support NAS Whidbey and ensure the continued mission of the base, but we also need to look outward to broaden our economy and increase other employment opportunities on our Islands.”
As the only filed candidate in the race who does not currently hold public office, Democrat Angie Homola currently holds the position, and Oak Harbor City Councilman Jim Campbell has also announced his candidacy, Johnson is encouraged by the opportunity to bring a fresh perspective to the Commission.
“The bickering that has bogged down local politics is a disservice to the people of Island County. It’s time we elect leaders who care less about partisan politics and personal agendas and more about the everyday needs of the people they serve,” Johnson said.
The current legal appeal between the city of Oak Harbor and Island County over the urban growth area is one example of taxpayers footing the bill for politician’s inability to work cooperatively, Johnson said.
Johnson has extensive local involvement. She has volunteered on multiple school bonds and levies including the new Wildcat Memorial Stadium and the recently renovated Oak Harbor High School.
In 2010 she was awarded the Admiral Jim Symonds “Friend of the Navy” Award and was recognized by the American Planning Association in the Implementation Category for her involvement with the City of Oak Harbor’s Windjammer program in 2009. Johnson was recognized as the Best Community Volunteer in 2006 and received an award from the Oak Harbor Education Foundation for her outstanding contribution to the local youth, schools and community that same year.
Johnson is a graduate of Central Washington University and holds a Degree in Communications with a minor in Economics. She and her husband, Alexander Pfeiffer, reside in Oak Harbor.
“I am passionate about Island County, and I am excited about this opportunity to really make a difference, she said. “I want our Islands to be a place people want to live, to do business, to shop, to vacation, to raise a family, and to retire. There is no reason we can’t have it all.”
Contact/More information:
Facebook: Vote For Jill
Twitter: VoteJill
Web: http://www.voteforjill.org (site under construction)
Paypal: Yep!
E-Mail: VoteforJill@gmail.com
Phone: 360-632-2558
Donations are accepted!
Friends of Jill Johnson
PO Box 818
Oak Harbor, WA 98277
Tags: Island County, Island County Commissioner Candidate Close up, Island County Commissioners
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Jill is a nice person and an advocate for local schools, etc…but her qualifications and experience unfortunately pale immensely when compared side-by-side with those of other candidates, such as Jim Campbell and/or Phil Collier. Jim Campbell is running as a Republican (as is Jill) while Phil Collier is seeking the job as an Independent. Jill’s long-tenured involvement with the local Republican Party makes her pitch for officials “who care less about partisan politics” seem a a bit hollow. Phil Collier maybe could use that tag line more effectively as a candidate, though I am uncertain as to how valid his claim to be an “Independent” really is; he may simply want not to be the “other” Democrat in the race, while running against an incumbent Democrat.
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Hm-mm…Phill Collier’s one-time shot pales greatly in comparison to Jill Johnson’s pedigree of Republican campaign contributions over the years:
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In the Whidbey News Times on 3/2/12 Jill Johnson was quoted to have said that if elected, her top priority will be “economic stability in the county.” In the same article she states, “You need to fight for those private sector jobs.” In the above candidate close-up, she says she is all for keeping business thriving in our community — “I want our Islands to be a place people want to live, to do business, to shop, to vacation, to raise a family, and to retire. There is no reason we can’t have it all.”
Johnson’s lack of experience and direction for our local business owners has resulted in over sixty Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce members who have either quit or failed to re-new their memberships since Johnson became “Executive Director.” After having read more about Johnson’s “so-called” dedication to keeping our local economy stable and her encouragement to shop locally, I was appalled to discover she chose NOT to support our Islands economy through purchases linked to her own campaign!! According to the Washington State Public Disclosure Commissions website, Johnson has not only gone outside our county, but out-of-state to purchase her campaign signs! A total of $2532.17 has been spent elsewhere (Connecticut, Iowa) to order campaign signs despite there being several local businesses that provide these same printing services.
I am a firm believer that actions do speak louder than words. While Johnson continues to promise to be a “vocal advocate for local businesses,” she contradicts what she stands for and what she says she believes is best for our county. On December 11, 2011, Johnson updated her Facebook status:
Jill Johnson-Pfeiffer
December 11, 2011 via BlackBerry Smartphones App
“I had to go! I left the OH! Seattle called, I’m being malled! But I don’t care, the crowds are fun, I’ll power through, til shopping’s done!”I can only be left to believe that Johnson is telling us what she thinks we want to hear.
It is common sense. Phil Collier’s campaign signs have been purchased through two local businesses. Collier’s common sense approach shows that he understands the importance of stability within our local commerce. Collier does more than merely vocalizing his support for Island County, his actions have proven and will continue to prove he is a local business owner with loyalty and dedication to our economy.
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I normally don’t get involved in mudslinging, but after reading the garbage spewed by Ms. Deah Baker in the viewponts section of The Whidbey Examiner on Thursday (June 21, 2012) and posted on this website (June 14, 2012), I am left with no choice.
Seriously, taking information off of Jill Johnson FB page for shopping off the Island 14 days before Christmas last year (Really?). Also, without any detailed facts you bring up where she purchased her campaign signs. Wow, two huge scandals; maybe you should write for a gossip magazine?
Ms. Baker you failed to mention or do any research that Jill Johnson received several bids from local vendors and chose to go off the Island saving her campaign a several thousand dollars. Loyalty to local businesses is one thing, but blind loyalty regardless of cost is ridiculous. This over taxed and over spent county would be better served by a Commissioner like Jill Johnson who strives to be fiscally responsible and remain within a planned budget.
Jill Johnson has made it a focal point of her campaign to remain positive and you Ms. Baker could have served the readers much better by writing an affirmative political endorsement and simply admit that you’re a hack for your listed candidate. Thank you for securing my vote for Jill Johnson, the only true candidate for Island County Commissioner (Dist 2).
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“… my vote for Jill Johnson, the only true candidate for Island County Commissioner (Dist 2).”
You might want to rethink that when you learn of Jill’s performance with TJ LaMont and the firemen at their Candidates forum Wed evening June 27 -
hmmmm… Mr. Rob Myers, sounds like you are telling me that candidate Jill Johnson chose to do what is best for Jill Johnson by looking outside Island County for her campaign materials. She chose to turn her back on local businesses. Sounds about right to me!
I did in fact, ask candidate Phil Collier if he had “shopped” outside island businesses to compare prices on printing services and he informed he himself that he did in fact find the best price and value right here in our community. He found “cheaper” out-of-state printing prices, but after using his Common Sense and figuring in the shipping costs, the price was within dollars of using Island County businesses. Mr Collier added that even if the the prices in town were a little more, he would rather make the small sacrifice to support his own community. If the difference would have saved Collier thousands, in my opinion, he may of reconsidered.
As far as the Christmas shopping post, the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce, currently run by “Executive Director” Jill Johnson, avidly advocates shopping on the island. I always see signs on the Chamber reader board promoting shopping within our community, especially around holidays. Jill Johnson demonstrates that she does the opposite of what she promotes.
I know that pointing out facts along with backing them up with sources is not “mudslinging.” Have you heard about Johnson’s outburst directed at on June 27th? THAT is mudslinging.
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