Tag: #AmyforMayor

Duvall Chamber Q&A

amymcforduvall

Here is another question from the Duvall Chamber of Commerce Candidate Townhall on Small Business Vitality & Economic Growth.

Q: Small businesses are the heart of Duvall’s downtown. What are the top three specific actions you would take in your first year as mayor to support and grow our small business community?

A: Small businesses are the backbone of Duvall’s economy and the heartbeat of our community. In my first year as mayor, I would:

• Establish a Small Business Roundtable — a regular forum where local business owners, the Chamber, and City staff can identify challenges, share ideas, and collaborate on solutions directly.

• Streamline and modernize business support by building clear, accessible online resources for permits, grants, and local promotion programs—making it easier to start, grow, or expand here in Duvall. With recent leadership changes in our Community Development Department, I’ll prioritize restructuring that team to bring an economic development focus and a customer-obsessed approach.

• Launch a “Shop Duvall” initiative in partnership with the Chamber and downtown businesses to promote local shopping and draw regional visitors, especially during construction or seasonal slowdowns.

City Hall Pride Art Display

amymcforduvall

Recently I Was Asked Why I Voted Yes on Pride Art at City Hall.

When the City Council voted on whether to display Pride-themed art on the side of City Hall, the measure passed with majority support — and I voted yes. I want to be clear about why.

I believe we can all agree that LGBTQ+ people should feel welcome in our community. Public art on government property can be a powerful way to promote inclusivity, celebrate diversity, and acknowledge the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community to Duvall. This is not something we do for only one group, we’ve also sought out ways to highlight Indigenous peoples and other underrepresented groups when we’ve recognized our community would benefit from more representation. When we intentionally recognize marginalized groups, we foster a sense of belonging among residents without promoting a specific political stance.

Some people say the Pride flag is political. I understand where that perspective comes from, there are contexts where it has been used in political debate. But I do not believe it is inherently political. Its meaning depends on context and intent. In this case, the context and intent were clear: a community-driven effort to convey inclusivity and acceptance of all people, including LGBTQ+ neighbors.

Before the vote, I spoke with a local teenager about the idea of neutrality in government. They told me they thought neutrality meant leaders shouldn’t bring their personal religion or beliefs into decisions that affect everyone, but they had never considered it to mean that government shouldn’t represent specific groups, especially marginalized ones. That perspective really stayed with me.

I also thought about how, every month, we issue proclamations that highlight specific groups or issues, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Veterans Day, Domestic Violence Awareness Month. These do not represent every single person in Duvall, but they matter deeply to many in our community. I cannot think of a single piece of public art that could make every person feel equally represented. That’s not the purpose of art. The purpose is to inspire, to represent stories and perspectives, and sometimes to speak directly to those who most need to hear, “You belong here.”

I know not everyone agreed with this decision. But as an elected official, I can’t make choices solely based on universal agreement, that would be impossible. My responsibility is to listen, to consider all perspectives, and to act in what I believe is the best interest of the community.

For me, voting yes was about ensuring the LGBTQ+ community heard a clear message from their city government: We see you. You are welcome here. You are supported here. That is a message I will always stand behind.

Who do I look up to?

amymcforduvall

Sharing another Ballotpedia Q&A!

Q: Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

A: I look up to my dad, a Coast Guard veteran, whose example of service, discipline, and integrity has profoundly shaped who I am. From a young age, I watched him put service above self, face challenges with calm determination, and approach every responsibility with honesty, accountability, and preparation. He taught me the importance of always being ready, thinking ahead, and acting thoughtfully under pressure. His dedication to protecting and serving the public inspired me to make service a central principle in my own life.

I strive to follow his example in all that I do—as a parent, small business owner, volunteer, and public servant. On City Council and as Mayor Pro Tem, I have worked to show up, do the work, and make decisions that reflect fairness, thoughtfulness, and a focus on the greater good. I prioritize transparency, collaboration, and preparation in every project, whether managing budgets, guiding policy, or engaging with residents. My dad’s example reminds me that integrity, commitment, and preparedness are the foundations of leadership and the keys to making a meaningful, lasting impact in our community.

You can read my full Q&A here: https://ballotpedia.org/Amy_McHenry_(Mayor_of_Duvall,_Washington,_candidate_2025)

3 Key Messages

amymcforduvall

I recently completed Ballotpedia’s candidate questionnaire — it’s a great opportunity to share more about why I’m running for Mayor and what guides my leadership.

But I’ll be sharing a few highlights here over the next week, starting with this question:

Q: Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

My Answer:

Steady, Experienced Leadership

• With eight years on the Duvall City Council and three as Mayor Pro Tem, Amy McHenry brings deep, hands-on experience in city operations, budgeting, and policy development. She has served on committees for finance, public works, and public safety, and represented Duvall regionally on boards addressing transportation, housing, and environmental planning. Her leadership is defined by collaboration, preparation, and accountability—ensuring decisions are well-informed and community-centered. Amy’s steady, consistent approach provides continuity and trusted guidance as Duvall navigates growth, infrastructure needs, and fiscal challenges.

Balanced Growth and Infrastructure

• Amy is committed to managing growth responsibly while preserving the small-town character that makes Duvall unique. She supports long-range planning that connects new development to infrastructure capacity, public safety, and environmental protection. Her priorities include maintaining roads and utilities, improving transportation safety for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians, and expanding walking and biking connections throughout the city. Amy also emphasizes fiscal discipline—ensuring infrastructure investments align with community needs and budget realities. Her goal is a balanced, sustainable path forward that supports families, local businesses, and Duvall’s rural surroundings alike.

Transparency and Community Connection

• Transparency and accessibility are central to Amy’s public service. She believes residents deserve to understand how decisions are made and to have genuine opportunities to share input. To strengthen communication, Amy created “Council Chats” and community surveys, inviting direct dialogue and feedback on city priorities. She values diverse viewpoints and believes collaboration builds stronger, more lasting outcomes. Whether working with residents, city staff, or regional partners, Amy strives for an open, respectful approach that keeps the community at the heart of every decision. Her leadership reflects integrity, inclusivity, and a deep commitment to public trust.

More to come soon—but if you’d like to dive into my full Ballotpedia profile, you can read it here anytime: https://ballotpedia.org/Amy_McHenry_(Mayor_of_Duvall…

A Better Way to Build Duvall’s Budget—Together

amymcforduvall

Over the past week, I’ve shared how Duvall’s budget actually works—how our funds are structured, why reserves matter, and how we plan for stability and transparency. Now I want to talk about what comes next—and how I’d like to do things differently as Mayor.

Creating a city budget isn’t just about numbers. It’s about values, priorities, and trust. Some parts of the budget are non-negotiable—things we’re legally required to fund. Others are the community’s clear priorities—like safety, infrastructure, and parks. And then there’s a small portion that’s discretionary, where we have room to make meaningful choices.

That’s where you come in.

I want Duvall residents to have more than a seat in the audience—I want you to have a seat at the table. That’s why I plan to introduce “Balancing Act” workshops, where the community can walk through the real tradeoffs that go into building our biennial budget. These sessions will make the process interactive, educational, and collaborative—so everyone can see how decisions are made and share input before the budget is finalized.

A transparent budget process shouldn’t just inform people—it should invite participation. Together, we can make sure every dollar reflects the priorities of the people who live here.