Ty Stober, who describes himself as a business, human rights and neighborhood advocate, says he will run for Vancouver City Council.
Stober, a 42-year-old initiative manager for the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, says he will file for Position 2 on the council, currently held by Vancouver City Councilor Jeanne Stewart.
Stober said in a press release that, if elected, his top priorities will be to focus on helping families feel safe, secure and valued in the city and to foster job creation through local, quality infrastructure projects and investments.
“Vancouver is a dynamic community that has served as a natural trade hub for hundreds of years. This is a strategic advantage that we can use to grow our economy and the security of our families. I look forward to working with the Council to create opportunities for our city,” Stober wrote in a press release.
“Having worked on both sides of the bridge, I can tell you that we need new leaders on the council committed to growing local jobs for local families — that means smart investments and a city government that works with business to create opportunity,” he wrote.
Stober said he believes “his values are the best qualifications he brings to the position. “
“As an Eagle Scout, I learned honesty and to leave a place better than I found it,” Stober said. “At church, I learned the means justify the ends and that the greatest honor is to be a servant to others. As an American, I learned that all people are created equal,” he said.
This could be considered Stober’s second run for office. Last year he announced his intent to run as a Democrat for the 49th District seat vacated by Democrat Craig Pridemore.
But Stober dropped out of the election in March 2012, and the seat was later won by Democrat Annette Cleveland.
“I had to make a strategic decision how best to spend my political energy last year,” Stober said of the decision.
Stober served as board chair for Seattle-based Equal Rights Washington, one of the main groups behind last year’s freedom to marry campaign.
Stober’s press release says he is a graduate of Leadership Clark County, has served on the Felida Neighborhood Association board and volunteered at the Fruit Valley Community Resource Center.
Stober has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Puget Sound and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of North Carolina — Chapel Hill.
Erik Hidle: 360-735-4547; http://twitter.com/col_clarkgov ; erik.hidle@columbian.com.
