Ken Pearson, a political newcomer, faces James Jeyaraj, an advocate of partnership building, in a bid for Auburn City Council, Position 3.

The candidates recently responded to an Auburn Reporter questionnaire. Here are their replies:

James Jeyaraj

Auburn is dealing with big -city problems like homelessness, the opioid epidemic and affordable housing, said James Jeyaraj.

Making headway on these issues, Jeyaraj said, will take a true partnership between the city, its residents and the business community to develop innovative solutions. It is likewise imperative, he said, that the city council sets benchmarks so residents know their leaders are making progress on these fronts and have results to show.

“Auburn is an amazing city with a ton of potential to continue to grow and attract new residents and businesses,” Jeyaraj said. “As your city council member, it is my pledge to work with the mayor and my fellow council members to work towards common goals and workable solutions.”

A native of Singapore, Jeyaraj has lived in the Pacific Northwest home since 1985. Since moving to Auburn in 2007, he said, he has been active in the community as a board member for the city’s Parks and Recreation board and as a volunteer at various community events.

Employed in the aerospace industry, Jeyaraj cites his experience with project management, his work with diverse teams and his record for completing projects on time and under budget as assets he will put to work for the residents of Auburn.

“I want to work hard to bring jobs and economic opportunity home for our residents,” Jeyaraj said. “But in order to continue to attract quality employers and new residents, we need to make strategic investments to ensure Auburn is a place we are all proud to call home. This means we need to invest additional funds in public safety, repairing our roadways and sidewalks and ensuring we continue to have a vibrant parks system.

“These are amenities that new residents and businesses look at when looking for a new home. I want to create an Auburn that is welcoming to everyone and ensure it is a place where everyone sees an opportunity for themselves,” Jeyaraj said.

Ken Pearson

A city council’s job, Ken Pearson said, is to provide an environment that makes a safe, secure and prosperous community possible.

Local issues, Pearson said, demand local solutions.

“We don’t need to embrace the failed policies of the ‘big city.’ We need a voice of responsibility and common sense on the city council,” Pearson said.

Educated at the Bailie School of Broadcast, El Paso Community College and North Idaho College, Pearson’s been a chaplain, a radio announcer and a truck driver.

“I am not a polished politician, nor am I politically correct,” Pearson said. “I’ve been called brutally honest, and what you see is what you get. You can expect me to do what is right for the community, not special interests. Auburn is my special interest, my home of 15 years.”

Auburn residents work hard for the money they use to pay their taxes, Pearson said and deserve representation that works as hard to spend those tax dollars responsibly to provide the services they expect.

“A vote for me, is a vote for you, and your voice,” Pearson said.