This is the first in an intended series of profiles on running candidates in the Sumner city council race.

At 28 years old, Melony Kirkish is the youngest candidate vying for a seat on Sumner’s city council, though she’s not lacking in experience or ambition. She holds two bachelor’s degrees and serves on the city’s Design Commission. Now she wants to affect positive change for the city as a legislator.

You work as a Project Manager for the Physicians and Dentists Credit Bureau; do you think your job experience would benefit your work with council?:

Absolutely! My main task with P&D is to find efficiencies in their processes; how to take what they’ve already been doing and make it more user friendly and profitable. This has a clear connection to potentially streamlining governmental policies and procedures.

You’ve studied both Architecture and Urban Studies. What attracted you to these fields and how do you think they would benefit your work as a member of council?:

I’m a designer through and through which when applied to the built environment is really exciting! We all eat, live, work, learn and play in buildings and around buildings all day long. Having the ability to affect positive change in the world through that conduit is what drew me into the Architecture program. Working with clients over the years has really helped me hone my listening and problem solving skills; both of which can be readily applied in local government! Urban Studies is urban planning, city management, political science, socio-economics and sustainability all wrapped up into one degree. During my time in the program I had the amazing opportunity to spend some time in Holland meeting with local officials and getting a real feel for how they intentionally collaborate until there’s a consensus before they move forward with a decision that affects the city. This teamwork approach was a genuine part of their culture and it was so inspiring. That exposure will be a huge benefit to me as a member of the council.

How did you come to the Design Commission?:

The Urban Studies program stresses how to be a good citizen in your own community and part of that is getting involved; being the change you want to see. Having worked with building codes and jurisdictions around the country on projects it became clear that sometimes our codes are weighing the system down. I wanted to start affecting code and changing it for the betterment of all parties involved. Between those things and having a mayor that was so willing to meet with me and help me find a place in the city’s commissions was how I came to working with such a great group.

What is your family dynamic like? How would you describe your approach to marriage and parenting?:

My family dynamic is wonderful. We have three amazing kids that share time with us as well as their other set of fantastic parents! My approach to marriage is that of integrity and lightheartedness. There’s nothing I take more seriously than my vows to be a supportive, inspiring and loving wife which is balanced with making sure we live each day to the fullest. My approach to parenting is that of unconditional love. I make sure I expose them to all the wonderful things in this world that I can and help them be the best they can be at what they chose to be a part of.

Do you have any hobbies?:

I recently started making jewelry and am always looking to learn more in the arts; pottery, crocheting, watercolors etc. I love reading books on cities and social justice issues. And by default having three kids makes one of my hobbies chauffeuring.

You’re originally from Milwaukee. How did you come to live in Sumner?:

After I graduated from UWM I moved to the west coast to immerse myself in the sustainability conversation. At the time it was much more prevalent here than in the Midwest and although its coming around there we’re still the front runners to say the least. After I lived in Seattle for a few years I moved in with my now wife and children in the area. They were established in the schools and community already and I followed suit and couldn’t be happier about it.

What made you decide to run for elected office? Have you had longstanding political ambitions, or is the process new to you?:

This is a brand new process to me. My first experience with local government was with the Auburn City Council in November of 2008 as part of an assignment for a course I was taking. It was so empowering to be able to go up and ask anything you wanted about the city I had no idea how easy it was to have a voice and be heard. Since then I’ve gotten involved in my own community which had lead to my choice to run for office. Once you start it’s hard to stop!

Why did you select Council Position 6 over the other three open races?:

Position 4 already had two contenders and I had no intention of forcing a primary. I’d be a fool to run against Leroy; clearly I didn’t know he wasn’t planning on running. Lastly I was more familiar with Cyndi’s positions on topics than Curt’s and therefore chose to run for Position 6.

You’re a relatively young person at 28, and the youngest of all the candidates running for council. Do you think your age lends you a different perspective in looking at city issues?:

My age along with my experiences and personality definitely gives me a different perspective. I come from a place of possibilities. The conversations in development and government don’t have to be adversarial. I’ve grown up in a different generation than everyone one else running and currently serving. The top three things that are found to be important to “Millennials” (my generation) are having a successful marriage, being a good parent and making a difference in the world; I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Do you think age is a factor in politics, or  are experience and ambition the more important driving elements?:

Unfortunately everything is a factor in politics; age, lifestyle, ethnicity, what color shoes you wear, etc. Thankfully at this level of government it isn’t full blown ‘politics’ and while those surface things in life help shape who you are its really the drive and ambition that make the difference. Experience isn’t just how long you’ve been here its what you fill your time with and I’m very grateful to have had so many wonderful opportunities in my 28 years!

What city issues are important to you? Do you have aspects of city life and law that you would like to focus on during a council term?:

The opportunities I see are lending my knowledge on the proposed development projects, making sure we have a diversified Main Street that’s at capacity and building empowerment in the community. Part of city life is knowing what’s going on; we’re all sharing the same space and I want to make sure everyone feels heard and is comfortable sharing. I’d also like to make sure that we’re making the best building choices possible for our great city. Let’s make sure we’re living up to our mission of “setting the standard of excellence for a progressive small city”!

How would you describe your personal political philosophy?:

Everyone belongs and has a voice that’s what democracy is about and we can probably save ourselves some money along the way.

How would you describe your experience campaigning so far? How have voters responded to you, and what issues seem to be most important to them?:

It’s been a great experience! I’ve been really surprised how many people that I’ve never met have reached out with support since the moment I filed. It seems people are excited to have someone with my background pursuing this position. So far people  seem most concerned about parking issues, maintaining that “Sumner” feel and the effects of Orton Junction.