Meet Andrew Morrison, Candidate for PenMet Parks Commissioner

This is part of a series of candidate profiles Patch will be bringing you for the 2011 elections. Andrew Morrison is running for the Commissioner Position 5 of . He will face Randy Boss, Ashlee Lehnert and incumbent Curtis Hancock.

CANDIDATE PROFILE INFORMATION:

What is your full, legal name? Andrew Gustavus Morrison

Where do you work and what is your job title? Pierce County Department of Assigned Counsel, Public Defender

Age: 28

Where were you born? Spokane.

Where do you live now and  how long have you lived there? Gig Harbor, since 2008 (but graduated from in 2001).

Spouse or domestic partner if any: Wife, Melissa.

Children: Daughter, Madeleine, born earlier this month (July).

Education (include graduation date(s), if any):

• JD, cum laude, Seattle University School of Law, 2007
• BA, Political Science, University of Washington, 2003
• AA, Tacoma Community College (Running Start), 2001
• Graduated 2001 from Gig Harbor High School

Military Service (include year(s) of discharge, if any): N/A

Memberships and affiliations with clubs and other organizations:

• Committee Member, Pierce County Allocation Advisory Committee on Youth Violence Prevention
• Assistant Coach, Peninsula High School Speech and Debate Team
• Secretary, Archdiocesan Council for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (Western WA)
• Volunteer, Bandix Dog Park

Have you or a business you owned (or had principal interest in) ever filed bankruptcy? No.

As an adult, have you been convicted or charged with a crime other than a minor traffic violation? No.

CAMPAIGN INFORMATION:

Web site: N/A

Email address: agmorrison82@gmail.com

Phone number: 253-219-9196

Campaign manager: N/A

Campaign manager contact information: N/A

PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE(S):

Elected:  N/A

Other campaigns for public office: N/A

THIS CAMPAIGN:

What is the primary reason you are running for this office? 

To increase the number of youth recreation activities available on the Peninsula and to create new, dog-friendly trails within our PenMet Parks network.

What will be your top three priorities if you get elected and why? 

Priority 1: Expansion of youth programs through project development, grant applications and recruitment.

Priority 2: Setting aside dog-friendly spaces in the PenMet system for off-leash play.

Priority 3: Preserving the diverse character of our parks network. Finding spaces for families seeking more facilities while still preserving rustic escapes for ourselves and future generations.

What sets you apart from the other candidates and/or previous office holders?

I bring a fresh perspective to the campaign, focused on the recreation portion of the PenMet Parks mission. My career has been in public service and criminal justice, and my community activities have dealt in large part with youth development and youth violence prevention. 

I have a lot of energy to devote to promotion of youth recreation activities, which have broad public safety impacts that benefit the whole community. No other candidate has my enthusiasm, my experience in youth activities and public safety or my vision for the parks commission.

How much money do you expect your campaign to spend on this election?

$250