Thomas Sauers

Work experience: Honda certified technician, martial arts instructor at Lee’s Martial Arts, Puyallup

Education: AAA business management degree; Honda certified training; automotive training, Green River Community College and Renton Vocational Technical Institute; electronics, Highline Community College; criminal law, Green River Community College; high school diploma

Political experience: Candidate for Auburn City Council Position 4

Community service: Vice president of Norpoint Soccer Association, ethics chairperson, team manager and coach; vice president of Sound View Little League and junior-senior director, manager and all-star coach; martial arts coach for local competitions; watchdog volunteer; and chaperone for school events.

Q & A

Q. Why are you running for this office?

A. As a resident of Auburn for 14 plus years, I have seen the business and residential communities in the valley area fall behind while neighborhood criminal activities rise. Through the years, I and fellow residents have noticed the lack of support and involvement by our present council representative in critical neighborhood issues, especially housing, code enforcement and public safety. We have also noted that our business community has lagged behind in economic and business development, that roads are not repaired properly and do not last long after they are repaired, and that money is spent on things that aren’t important. I have seen nothing liberating in Auburn for many years. I was motivated to run because the citizens’ concerns of where this City maybe heading have invigorated me to do something about it. The time has come for responsible and accountable leadership representation of the City of Auburn for the people.

Q. What are the top three problems facing the City of Auburn?

A. Public safety: to clean up our neighborhoods and streets by creating a city-wide watch block committee/organization to get the citizens involved to help restore and bring safety to the communities affected by drugs, gangs, child molesters and problem individuals by working with law enforcement and city officials.

City growth: to help build and refurbish the local community areas, buildings and businesses to attract more businesses and people to the city. Also, by creating incentive programs for businesses and property managers to keep their buildings attractive, modernized and area clean. Increase revenue by bringing more retail businesses to the Auburn area to create more jobs for our local citizens, which will generate more revenue for the City and to vitalize our communities.

Human services: to keep the people in the community strong by providing need services to the low income families, children, homeless people and senior citizens. Have local citizens, businesses and city government work together in funding programs to help these individuals or families.

Q. How are your abilities a good match for those problems?

A. My leadership abilities and skills along with my business management education, compassion for people and wanting to do the right thing for others make me a strong match to remedy these problems.

Q. What sets you apart from your opponents?

A. It’s about getting the job done right the first time. I attend the City Committee and City Council meetings to be aware of what is going on within our city and Auburn Chamber of Commerce functions and other events provided by the Chamber. Also, I attend local area organization meetings. My beliefs are to support our local business, senior citizens and community programs, give back to the community, and be a strong voice for the citizens by investing time, hard work, dedication and good judgment as your city council member.

Personal statement

As your Auburn City Council member, I will advocate the following: to make our streets safer and cleaner; to hold the City government accountable in all areas, most importantly in wasteful spending; unite local community organizations to ensure our senior citizens are well taken care of; create better educational programs for our high school graduates, unemployed workers, and returning military personnel to become successful in their future goals and endeavors; attract more businesses to create more local jobs and work with the citizens, businesses, neighboring cities, and city officials to make Auburn the number one city in the state.