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News About Amy Falcone for Kirkland City Council


 

Tuesday, October 24, 2023 10:39 PM

Op-Ed: Amy Falcone Is the Councilmember Kirkland Needs

As progressive Kirklanders, we have been extremely impressed by Amy Falcone’s work on the Kirkland City Council during her first term, and we wholeheartedly support her re-election bid. She is a regional leader in affordable housing and human services, and uses her seat on the council to push Kirkland to be a more welcoming and inclusive place for all families, community members, and Kirkland businesses.

Amy first got involved in Kirkland politics because she wanted safer sidewalks for kids walking to school — and she got them. She continues to focus on these sorts of practical, everyday improvements to our city — a free snow shovel program so we can all keep sidewalks clear, better fencing in city playgrounds to keep kids who are prone to elopement safe. Many of these changes focus on walkability and improving community safety and access, especially for children, elders and disabled Kirklanders.

Other improvements she’s made are much broader, requiring immense amounts of regional collaboration and advocacy. We are huge proponents of the new Regional Crisis Response (RCR) program, which provides mental health professionals as part of the first responder team when 911 responds to behavioral health concerns in five local cities. This program is a crucial equity and community safety policy, since previously those calls were usually handled by the police, and those of us with mental illness are at significantly increased risk of violent police response — as we saw locally with the tragic shooting of Andrea Churna by Redmond police.

Amy has been quietly working toward a community responder program since before she was elected to the council — back when she was a founding member and co-chair of the Kirkland Human Services Commission. Less than one term into her tenure on the council, the program is already up and running.

As the rising cost of living pushes lower-income Kirklanders out, Amy has worked hard to keep our lower-income neighbors in their homes, as well as to ensure affordable housing. She was a leader in creating tenant protections in Kirkland, including requiring landlords to provide substantive notice ahead of rent increases and caps on move-in fees like security and pet deposits.

While on the Human Services Commission, Amy championed a pilot program that provides free legal aid to Kirkland residents at risk of eviction — part of her proactive approach to homelessness. This is now a very well-utilized permanent program. As our city leadership has grappled with how to collaborate with the county on a new Health through Housing project at the former La Quinta, Amy has been a stalwart voice for the dignity and humanity of our neighbors who will move into the new permanent supportive housing community.

A great example of how Amy works is the way she championed a change at the county level that sets the formula for how much affordable housing each King County city needs. As caucus chair of the Sound Cities Association within the King County Affordable Housing Committee, she worked strategically and tirelessly to convince other local leaders that each city’s affordable housing need should take into consideration the income level of people who work in that city as well as those who already live there. This increases the affordable set-aside for high-income cities, with the explicit aim of enabling more people to live near where they work. By the time she was done championing this important equity principle, the plan received a unanimous vote from her caucus, including from the cities who will now need to provide substantially more affordable housing. She is a strategic and diplomatic leader who strives to bring others together in support of her vision.

This commitment to providing more affordable housing, especially for our lowest-income community members, is paired with a serious commitment to a greener Kirkland. She has led efforts to preserve Kirkland greenspace and led tree code updates that protect landmark trees and groves. The heat pump incentive program that she has championed — which focuses on low-income, multi-family housing — is an example of how she brings together her focus on sustainability with her focus on equity.

Just as she does with families and neighbors, Amy prioritizes equity and inclusion in her work with local artists and small businesses.  She has helped make downtown Kirkland more community-minded and people-centered. Amy has been a strong voice for bringing diverse local art and culture to public spaces. For instance, she helped bring the Africans on the Eastside fashion show to Kirkland, she has supported local murals and the Pride crosswalk, and she has been a strong supporter of the annual Juneteenth event, organized by Eastside advocacy groups. Amy supported the recent Summer Certification Series, which aimed to help women- and minority-owned businesses navigate opportunities to work with the City. 

Because she believes local government can have a tremendous impact on people’s daily lives, Amy also treats local government as a space where everyone belongs. Collaborating with Kirkland residents most impacted by a policy is her first step in developing and implementing a new program. She has also led efforts to remove barriers to participation in City boards and commissions. Amy has advocated for pay for these positions — in order to make it possible for low-income Kirklanders to participate — as well as childcare for those serving in government positions. All of these small changes in how the city does business make it easier for regular Kirklanders to participate in city governance.

Amy has been a huge asset to our city council, pushing it to enact bolder and more people-friendly policies. We hope she continues to serve Kirkland for years to come.


Wednesday, November 6, 2019 9:39 AM

Kirkland council race results are in

Kirkland council race results are in.
Initial returns have Nixon, Black and Falcone leading.


Friday, October 18, 2019 1:30 PM

Falcone is the smart choice | Letter

In the race for Kirkland City Council Pos. 6, Amy Falcone is the smart choice.

Amy is a dedicated community volunteer, serving as co-chair of the Kirkland Human Services Commission, board member of the Finn Hill Neighborhood Alliance (FHNA) and outgoing president of her local elementary school PTA, where she continues to serve on the board. She is passionate about our community and she is relentless about getting good things accomplished for our neighborhoods. In my roles as former co-chair of the Kirkland Alliance of Neighborhoods and Moss Bay Neighborhood Association board member, I have had the opportunity to work with Amy as an FHNA board member. She has served on the Kirkland Neighborhood Safety Panel for the past four years, successfully advocating for practical and impactful safety improvements for pedestrians and bicyclists throughout the city. She has also organized community events that bring together hundreds of neighbors, such as DennyFest, the Finn Hill Spring Egg Hunt and the Thoreau Elementary Spring Carnival.

Amy is genuine, approachable and responsive, always willing to meet with residents to hear and understand their concerns. I sincerely appreciate her energy and the passion and expertise that she brings to improving our community and continuing Kirkland’s tradition of being a safe, inclusive, livable and vibrant city. I am also impressed with her deep understanding of the city’s complex financial workings and her commitment to fiscal responsibility.

I will proudly vote for Amy Falcone for Kirkland City Council and I encourage you to do so as well.

Bea Nahon
Kirkland



Friday, October 18, 2019 8:30 AM

Falcone is the right choice | Letter

We are writing to recommend Amy Falcone for Kirkland City Council.

As a former council member with 12 years of service and as active community volunteers, we know what it takes to do the job well, and Amy exhibits all the qualities needed to serve our community. She is thoughtful, well spoken and listens carefully to all viewpoints. She has experience in public policy, does her research, and is incredibly intelligent.

Most importantly, Amy has a strong background in civic and community service and a proven track record of success working collaboratively with Kirkland city government.

We strongly recommend Amy Falcone as the right choice for election to Kirkland City Council.

Sue and Santos Contreras
Kirkland


Thursday, October 17, 2019 8:30 AM

Kirkland council candidates talk racial equity, gun control, affordable housing and more

Kirkland City Council candidates participated in a forum hosted by Lutheran Peace Fellowship on Oct. 14. The forum was a collaboration with Faith Action Network and Indivisible Kirkland. The forum was held at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church and moderated by pastor Mary-Alyce Burleigh.

Included in the panel were candidates Kelli Curtis (Pos. 1 and unopposed), incumbent Toby Nixon and David Schwartz (Pos. 4), Neal Black and Martin Morgan (Pos. 5), and Amy Falcone and Jory Hamilton (Pos. 6).

The purpose of the event was to give the candidates a chance to introduce themselves, speak on key city subjects and respond to questions posed by the community. The focus of the forum was on social justices issues including racial equity in Kirkland, climate change, police reforms and homelessness/affordable housing.



Friday, October 11, 2019 11:30 AM

Vote for Falcone | Letter

I am writing to support Amy Falcone for Kirkland City Council Pos. 6. 

As someone who volunteers extensively in Kirkland, I deeply value candidates I see investing their time to make their community better. Amy has served as PTA president, as a board member on her neighborhood association and as co-chair of Kirkland’s human services commission — and in every role she has become known as a person who can get things done, but also a person who listens to all sides of an issue.

I can’t help but notice that instead of sending mailers, she has been at every parade, festival, and neighborhood picnic and meeting this summer and fall meeting Kirklanders and asking what issues are important to them.

Please join me in supporting Amy Falcone for city council.

Melissa Stone
Kirkland


Monday, October 7, 2019 8:30 AM

Falcone and Hamilton seek Kirkland City Council Pos. 6

Candidates share their views on transportation, housing and more. Kirkland City Council candidates seeking Pos. 6 are Amy Falcone and Jory Hamilton. Falcone is a community leader and volunteer, a stay-at-home parent, social scientist and former adjunct statistics professor. Hamilton is an educator and coach.


Monday, May 27, 2019 8:30 AM

Locals honor fallen heroes at Kirkland Cemetery

Numerous volunteers gathered at the Kirkland Cemetery to honor and commemorate fallen veterans in recognition of Memorial Day.

“I think it’s very important for us to remember the things that service members do and I think this is a great way to honor our veterans,” said Kirkland City Council candidate Amy Falcone, who brought her 1-year-old Rocky to the Memorial Day event.


Friday, May 17, 2019 7:28 PM

Candidates file for November 2019 election

Kirkland residents will vote on a variety of local and county positions in November.

The following candidates are running for the following positions.

Kirkland City Council Position 2 (Currently held by Tom Neir)
Kelli Curtis

Kirkland City Council Position 4
Toby Nixon (incumbent)
David Schwartz

Kirkland City Council Position 5 (Currently held by Kelli Curtis)
Neal Black
Bill Henkens
Martin Morgan

Kirkland City Council Position 6 (Currently held by Dave Asher)
Amy E. Falcone
Jory Hamilton


Thursday, May 9, 2019 8:30 AM

Candidates continue registering for local Kirkland races

Candidate filing for the November election is next week, with both the Kirkland City Council and Lake Washington School Board primed for a shake up.

On the council, Positions 2 (currently held by Tom Neir), 4 (Toby Nixon) and 6 (Dave Asher) will be up for election for four-year terms, while Position 5 (formerly held by Amy Walen, and now Kelli Curtis) will be a two-year term, expiring in 2021.

Neir already said that he will not seek re-election in 2019, due to growing demands from his business, and Asher is retiring. He is endorsing Amy Falcone, human services commissioner and Finn Hill Neighborhood Alliance board member, for his seat.

Falcone will be running for the Pos. 6 seat this year too. Falcone has raised more than $7,200 in contributions, again, mostly from small donors.


Thursday, May 2, 2019 8:30 AM

Vote for Falcone | Letter

I am writing to endorse Amy Falcone enthusiastically for Kirkland City Council Pos. 6.

Amy is a well-respected and effective leader in the community, serving for the past several years on the board of the Finn Hill Neighborhood Alliance, as a PTA president and legislative advocacy chair, and as a member of Kirkland’s Human Services Commission.

I have had the pleasure of getting to know Amy on the Finn Hill Neighborhood Alliance board; she is organized, collaborative, diligent and very effective. Working with the city, Amy has secured funding for a variety of pedestrian safety projects on Finn Hill. She has also planned a variety of large events to enhance the sense of community in our neighborhood. She is a problem solver, an astute listener and a persuasive advocate for under-represented groups in Kirkland. She is passionate about affordable housing, public safety and ensuring Kirkland makes investments now that will benefit our city in the future.
She will be a superb representative of Kirkland’s citizens on the City Council.

Scott Morris
Kirkland



Wednesday, March 6, 2019 2:45 PM

Falcone announces run for Kirkland City Council

Amy Falcone, human services commissioner and Finn Hill Neighborhood Alliance board member announced her intention to run for Kirkland City Council, Pos. 6, in this year’s election.


Tuesday, February 12, 2019 10:52 AM

Kirkland City Council to interview five finalists for vacancy

The Kirkland City Council has selected five candidates to interview at a special meeting on Feb. 19 to fill the current council vacancy: Neal Black, Uzma Butte, Kelli Curtis, Amy Falcone and Sue Keller.


Paid for by Falcone for Kirkland
PO Box 101
Kirkland, WA 98083
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