As a member of the city council I will stress the importance of the basics. Water, sewer, power, transportation and public safety are what every city need. My wife, our children and I all grew up here and I want current and future families to be able to feel safe and secure wherever they go. A walkway for people to walk on so they are not in traffic is important. Low crime, emergency services and especially disaster preparedness are highly important to me. Improving transportation, reducing energy needs and increasing recycling are also areas of priority. My background and training will help me accomplish this. I look forward to being a conduit for the citizens of Mercer Island and will stress the will of the people by giving them a voice. As I am now semi-retired and my children are grown I will have the additional time and energy to devote to this position. I believe that government should be open to all citizens and I plan to run on a limited campaign budget. I am also environmentally conscious and do not like our beautiful island littered with campaign signs so I will limit my campaign signs on public property.

Born in Seattle in 1955, my family moved to Mercer Island in 1960. Purchased my own home on Mercer Island in 1977 making me a native for over 45 years.

I attended Mercer Island schools from first grade to graduation in 1973. In addition to the B.A. in Public Administration I received from Seattle University, I also acquired a Management and General Studies degrees from Olympic College and a Media Technology degree from Bellevue Community College.

I married Dorian Goucher, another Mercer Island native, and am still married to her. We have three children, Josh, Mike and Laura, who attended and graduated from Mercer Island schools and have continued on to local colleges.

When I turned 18 I joined the Mercer Island Volunteer Fire department and remained a volunteer firefighter for over thirty years. I was also involved with the Poulsbo and South Kitsap fire departments in Kitsap County. In addition to fighting fires and saving lives, I put my efforts into the training of new firefighters and working with the community in teaching classes in fire safety, first aid, CPR, and disaster planning. In Kitsap County I also worked to set up mutual aid and training between the county and Subase Bangor.

I became a career firefighter at the Trident Naval Base in 1979 and stayed with them for 22 years, until I became disabled and was unable to return to work. I started out as a firefighter and went through the ranks to become a Captain and with filling the rank of Assistant Fire Chief when needed. During that time, I specialized in hazardous materials responses and training, aircraft, shipboard, submarine, explosive ordinance, nuclear firefighting and water rescue. I was also certified in high angle and confined space rescue and other specialized training. As a certified fire inspector, I worked with building inspections, building plans review and acceptance, I specialized in fire suppression certifications, acceptance and maintenance. I assisted in bid proposals for the Navy, Johnson Controls and other contractors on the base.

As a union president, I was part of the negotiation team for the Steelworkers and negotiated contacts between the union and contractors, I also had the authority to resolve grievances between the company and union.

An on the job injury and a bout with cancer ended my firefighting service career. I am now employed as a school bus driver for Mercer Island. This line of work has allowed me to talk to a large cross section of the population and see what is happening around the island.

I hope that this information has given you a quick look into my past. I feel confident that I will do my best for you if you make me your city council member.


Thank you

Bob