Yolanda Trout
Work experience: Small business owner, beauty consultant, bilingual childcare pre-school owner for nine years, 18 years as a journeyman meat wrapper and meat deli manager.
Education: Walla Walla High School graduate; Walla Walla Community College graduate with degree in early learning.
Political experience: Candidate for state representative in Walla Walla; appointed commissioner for two years by Gov. Locke to the State Early Learning Foundation; and appointed to the Auburn Planning Commission by the City Council and Mayor.
Community service: The Noon Lions Club; the Veterans Parade; volunteer for the Auburn School Lunch Backpack Program at the Auburn Food Bank, Auburn Lions Club Fishing Derby, and Christmas Family Program; member of the Auburn School District Equity and Excellence Committee, the Auburn Latino Communication Committee, and a Community Block Watch Co-Chair.
Q & A
Q. Why are you running for this office?
A. As I’ve said before, I really love this city and care about its future. With all the diversity throughout our city, I felt that there was room for one more at the city council table. As a councilmember, my priorities will focus on providing safe parks and neighborhoods, building our economy strong by supporting our small and new business growth to help our tax base and further enhance our infrastructure. I am dedicated to ensuring that our city is a safe place where families can help their children thrive and prepare them for their future. I am known as a relentless advocate who will work on behalf of all of the people to make things happen. As a planning commissioner, I have worked hard to listen and act thoughtfully. I have learned that it is important to be a compassionate observer and to be an independent leader. You can count on me to work diligently for the citizens of our city if I am elected to the Auburn City Council.
Q. What are the top three problems facing the City of Auburn?
A. Safety: Provide support for a safe Auburn for our neighbors and children of our communities by working together and closely supporting our local police and other city departments.
Jobs: Build our economy strong by supporting our small businesses and providing opportunities for businesses with family-wage jobs. Work closely and partner with our Green River Community College, Chamber of Commerce, and our Muckleshoot Native Tribe, to create a friendlier education and work environment for the citizens of Auburn, and by working and partnering with our neighboring cities, letting everyone know that Auburn is “open for business”.
Roads: We need to provide better roads to have our products delivered to our businesses, provide necessary and safe ingress and egress for shipments, and to keep our families and children safe on our streets. We know that state and federal money to repair our roads is almost non-existent, but we should continue to lobby for additional funding and revenues from those using our arterials.
Q. How are your abilities a good match for those problems?
A. For safety, jobs and roads; I have already brought into the state of Washington a safer highway by lobbying and securing funds to initiate a four-lane highway on the east side of the mountains. I feel that I have the ability to understand and negotiate plans for new and existing businesses, city projects, and to assist in obtaining the necessary funding or support services to facilitate these important tasks. I’m not afraid to ask and demand whenever required, to obtain those things where there is a great need for our city and our citizens.
Q. What sets you apart from your opponents?
A. I’m a woman who is easy to approach, friendly, compassionate, and a person who genuinely loves people. I am always looking for a challenge and ways to improve the status quo, and I strongly feel that I have what it takes to represent our citizens on our city council. During my working career, I have been affiliated with 18 different organizations, which have provided me with leadership experience and a strong work ethic.
Personal statement
When elected I will work hard for the people of Auburn and continue to have an open-door policy at all times. That’s only one of the many ways that I will be able to know and understand your needs. While door-belling around our city, I have met such wonderful people who have inspired and encouraged me. Again, that is only one of the many reasons why I want to serve the citizens of this wonderful city, and I thank you for the opportunity.
