City of Wenatchee : Meet the Council Members

The Wenatchee City Council is comprised of the following seven members:

Jim Baker

Position No. 1
Jim Bailey (2013)

844 Kittitas Street
Wenatchee, WA 98801
(509) 662-2751
Email Jim

In June of 2007, Jim retired from his 38-year teaching post at Wenatchee High School. In addition to his WHS teaching duties, Jim also served as adjunct faculty at Wenatchee Valley College and Seattle Pacific University. He has served on various state-wide professional boards and committees for a number of organizations, including the Washington Education Association, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for the State of Washington, and the Washington State Council for the Social Studies.

Jim has offered his talents to various City organizations for the past 25 years and considers his position as a City Councilmember a stewardship responsible for protecting and enhancing the property, facilities and programs of the City. As a Councilmember, his priorities include increasing citizen input and communication to the Council, encouraging sustainable economic diversity and supporting affordable housing efforts.

Jim and his wife have three grown children and six grandchildren. He enjoys reading, hiking, biking, backpacking, alpine climbing, traveling and spending time with family.

Tony Veeder

Position No. 2
James "Tony" Veeder (2013)

PO Box 5094
Wenatchee, WA 98807
(509) 665-6981
Email Tony

Tony was elected to the City Council at a time when most state and municipal budgets were struggling with significant cuts and drops in revenue. This environment has fostered his commitment to maintaining a balanced budget and essential services.

Tony’s business background fuels his dedication to creating a business-friendly environment with solid infrastructure that provides businesses the capacity to thrive.

During his term on the City Council, Tony will be seeking creative solutions to the following questions:

1. How will the City gracefully exit the entertainment business and allow for private investors to make the Town Toyota Center thrive as a real revenue venture?
2. How can the City make Riverside Drive and the waterfront more available to immediate investors?
3. How can the Planning Department rezone vast areas of the City to accommodate more sustainable growth and affordable housing?
4. Can the Planning Department be more efficient in processing and permitting building applications, which should result in lower permit fees?
5. Can other budget areas such as the Museum and Art on the Avenue be revisited to alleviate business license fee increases and cuts to essential services?
6. Can snow be dumped in all City parks to alleviate traffic congestion and expenses associated with melting?

A native of Brewster, Tony has called North Central Washington home for most of his life. He graduated from Cornell University with an Engineering degree and is a partner in Genext, a local technology and security company. Tony is also an avid pilot and flight instructor and enjoys buying discarded properties and revitalizing them into affordable housing units. He and his wife Luanne own and operate a ranch where they enjoy buying and selling livestock, hauling hay and riding horses.

Karen Rutherford

Position No. 3
Karen Rutherford (2013)

2105 Ione Street
Wenatchee, WA 98801
(509) 662-2039
Email Karen

Raised an Army brat, Karen spent her childhood traveling, always returning home to Eastern Washington to visit grandparents and relatives in the lower Yakima Valley. Eighteen years ago she moved to Wenatchee with her husband Peter to raise their young family. They love Wenatchee for its beauty and year-round activities and skiing, hiking and biking are favorite family pastimes. Karen is currently the Science Resource Coordinator for the Wenatchee School District.

Karen graduated from Walla Walla’s Whitman College in 1978 with a degree in History/American Studies. She has worked in the banking industry as a lending officer in Washington and Oregon, and in 1985 she began her career in downtown development with the Cody Main Street Project as their Executive Director.

Upon her arrival in Wenatchee in 1990, she continued her work with the Main Street Project as a volunteer with the Wenatchee Downtown Association. She served for many years on the WDA Board of Directors and is a past president. Being in Cincinnati with the Wenatchee delegation to receive the Great American Main Street Award was the highlight of her Main Street career.

Karen has been active with the City’s Historic Preservation Board and is a former board member of both the Wenatchee Museum and Cultural Center and Habitat for Humanity. She is passionate about children excelling in math and science and is the Regional Director for the Math is Cool program. During the summer, she teaches a science class for elementary students that involves everything from racing solar powered mini cars to blasting pop bottle water rockets high in the sky!

Current Council/Intergovernmental Assignments:
• Chelan Douglas County Board of Health
• Regional Support Network Governing Board/Developmental Disability Program for Chelan/Douglas Counties
• Wenatchee City Park Board
• Wenatchee Valley Tourism Promotion Assessment Commission

City Council Priorities:
• Wenatchee Downtown – Support and help to maintain our vibrant downtown area.
• Planning – Continue to review and revise zoning ordinances to accommodate our changing and growing community. Affordable housing, parks and the foothills are areas of special support and concern.
• Communication – Foster and maintain open communication with all citizens and governmental agencies in our Valley.
• Infrastructure – Strong supporter of maintaining our roads and public facilities. A new fire station is a high priority for our community.

Doug Miller
Position No. 4
Doug Miller (2013)

924 Millerdale Heights Drive
Wenatchee, WA 98801
(509) 663-3052
Email Doug

A 22-year veteran of Douglas County Fire District #2, Doug joined the Wenatchee City Council in early 2006 with a focus on ensuring effective public safety for City residents.

Prior to joining the Wenatchee City Council, Doug owned and operated a small business, served on the Wenatchee School Board, and served as a liaison for the Chelan County Solid Waste Council, the Wenatchee Parks Advisory Board, and the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center.

Born in Wenatchee, Doug attended schools in both the Wenatchee and Eastmont School Districts prior to earning a degree in Fire Administration and Geography. It was his interest in public service that led Doug to serve with the Fire District and the Wenatchee City Council.

Doug has been married for nearly 20 years and has two children. When not serving the citizens of Wenatchee, Doug enjoys aviation, including civil air patrol, and amateur radio operations.

Mark Kulaas
Position No. 5
Mark Kulaas (2011)

1219 Red Apple Road
Wenatchee, WA 98801
(509) 662-6059 (h) (509) 884-7173 (w)
Email Mark

Born and raised in Wenatchee, Mark is grateful for the opportunity to serve the public. Mark is a graduate of Eastern Washington University and brings a 31-year land use planning background to the Council. He also currently serves as the Land Services Director for Douglas County.

In addition to his professional responsibilities, Mark is currently serving as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Washington State Association of County and Regional Planning Directors, is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, the Washington State Department of Ecology Director’s Performance Advisors Group, and the Professional Advisory Committee for Eastern Washington University Department of Urban and Regional Planning. He also holds the designation of Certified Municipal Leader bestowed by the Association of Washington Cities.

Mark has worked tirelessly to initiate some of his top priorities as Councilmember, including implementation of the City’s newly redesigned website as a vehicle to improve and expand citizen communication, the street overlay program, and the passage of design standards to guide an improved appearance for new development. Mark has also been instrumental in the creation of the Grandview Historic District, and the development of the Hearing Examiner system that has established a professional land use decision-making process.

Mark is grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Council and be part of a team of elected officials and employees who share a dedication to creating a world-class community, and believes that together we can build a better City for current and future generations.

Mark is the proud husband to wife Kathleen, who both enjoy their two grown children and one grandson. Mark is also an active member with the Rotary Club of Wenatchee and serves on its Board of Directors.

Current Council/Intergovernmental Assignments:
• Link Transit Board of Directors
• City of Wenatchee Disability Board
• City of Wenatchee Grievance Committee
• City of Wenatchee Cemetery Advisory Committee
• Wenatchee Valley Stormwater Management Steering Committee

City Council Priorities:
• Our physical community should develop in a manner envisioned by our citizens for the benefit of the public as a whole and not for narrowly focused, specific interests.
• Our natural community should be protected and conserved so that the environmental qualities that make us an attractive City are not lost.
• Our social and cultural community should offer a wide range of educational, financial, housing, recreational, and entertainment opportunities for all citizens, regardless of age, economic status and cultural heritage.
• Our City services, and the finances to pay for them, should be managed in a manner that assures efficient delivery at a sustainable cost.

Don Gurnard
Position No. 6
Don Gurnard (2011)

306 Canyon Place
Wenatchee, WA 98801
(509) 663-8873 (h) (509) 393-1412 (c)
Email Don

A well-known community supporter, Councilman Don Gurnard has been involved with the Wenatchee Central Lions, Wenatchee Applarians, the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival, United Way, the Wenatchee Downtown Association, the Wenatchee Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau, the City of Wenatchee’s Disability Board, and Habitat for Humanity. A lifelong Wenatchee resident, Don is a graduate of both Wenatchee High School and Wenatchee Valley College.

Don is proud of his community involvement and believes that Wenatchee’s greatest attribute includes the citizens who live, work and play here. He has witnessed first-hand countless acts of charitable giving, dedication and volunteerism and an immense amount of community pride. He believes this level of community pride contributes to Wenatchee’s vibrancy, economic strength and desirability as a place to live and work.

Don and his wife Debbie, also a Wenatchee native, have raised two children in this community and enjoy spending time with their five grandchildren.

Carolyn Case
Position No. 7
Carolyn Case (2011)

729 Monroe Street
Wenatchee, WA 98801
(509) 393-4064
Email Carolyn

A lifetime North Central Washington resident, Carolyn is serving her second term on the Wenatchee City Council. Born in the old Deaconess Hospital in Wenatchee, Carolyn’s work ethic was instilled at a young age while being raised on an orchard in Douglas County. She graduated from Eastmont High School and earned her B.A. degree in Missions from Northwest College (now University) in Kirkland, Washington.

Carolyn has worked in the fruit industry since childhood; work that continues to be part of her passion to this day. She also coordinates various National Day of Prayer events, including award-winning groups featured in two local parades. Carolyn has also directed various choirs and a children’s musical through her church.

Carolyn has offered her talents to the Chelan-Douglas Community Network, the Diversity Advisory Council, and the Community Action Board. She was also a founding member of the local Community Center and advocates passionately for our area’s underprivileged residents.

Carolyn is married with four children. When not serving the residents of Wenatchee, Carolyn can be found reading, writing, walking, horseback riding, enjoying inspirational music or relaxing outdoors.

Last updated: 5/5/2010 3:49:41 PM

	Position No. 1 Jim Bailey (2013) 844 Kittitas Street Wenatchee, WA 98801 (509) 662-2751 Email Jim In June of 2007, Jim retired from his 38-year teaching post at Wenatchee High School. In addition to his WHS teaching duties, Jim also served as adjunct faculty at Wenatchee Valley College and Seattle Pacific University. He has served on various state-wide professional boards and committees for a number of organizations, including the Washington Education Association, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for the State of Washington, and the Washington State Council for the Social Studies. Jim has offered his talents to various City organizations for the past 25 years and considers his position as a City Councilmember a stewardship responsible for protecting and enhancing the property, facilities and programs of the City. As a Councilmember, his priorities include increasing citizen input and communication to the Council, encouraging sustainable economic diversity and supporting affordable housing efforts. Jim and his wife have three grown children and six grandchildren. He enjoys reading, hiking, biking, backpacking, alpine climbing, traveling and spending time with family.
	Position No. 2 James "Tony" Veeder (2013) PO Box 5094 Wenatchee, WA 98807 (509) 665-6981 Email Tony Tony was elected to the City Council at a time when most state and municipal budgets were struggling with significant cuts and drops in revenue. This environment has fostered his commitment to maintaining a balanced budget and essential services. Tony’s business background fuels his dedication to creating a business-friendly environment with solid infrastructure that provides businesses the capacity to thrive. During his term on the City Council, Tony will be seeking creative solutions to the following questions: 1. How will the City gracefully exit the entertainment business and allow for private investors to make the Town Toyota Center thrive as a real revenue venture? 2. How can the City make Riverside Drive and the waterfront more available to immediate investors? 3. How can the Planning Department rezone vast areas of the City to accommodate more sustainable growth and affordable housing? 4. Can the Planning Department be more efficient in processing and permitting building applications, which should result in lower permit fees? 5. Can other budget areas such as the Museum and Art on the Avenue be revisited to alleviate business license fee increases and cuts to essential services? 6. Can snow be dumped in all City parks to alleviate traffic congestion and expenses associated with melting? A native of Brewster, Tony has called North Central Washington home for most of his life. He graduated from Cornell University with an Engineering degree and is a partner in Genext, a local technology and security company. Tony is also an avid pilot and flight instructor and enjoys buying discarded properties and revitalizing them into affordable housing units. He and his wife Luanne own and operate a ranch where they enjoy buying and selling livestock, hauling hay and riding horses.
	Position No. 3 Karen Rutherford (2013) 2105 Ione Street Wenatchee, WA 98801 (509) 662-2039 Email Karen Raised an Army brat, Karen spent her childhood traveling, always returning home to Eastern Washington to visit grandparents and relatives in the lower Yakima Valley. Eighteen years ago she moved to Wenatchee with her husband Peter to raise their young family. They love Wenatchee for its beauty and year-round activities and skiing, hiking and biking are favorite family pastimes. Karen is currently the Science Resource Coordinator for the Wenatchee School District. Karen graduated from Walla Walla’s Whitman College in 1978 with a degree in History/American Studies. She has worked in the banking industry as a lending officer in Washington and Oregon, and in 1985 she began her career in downtown development with the Cody Main Street Project as their Executive Director. Upon her arrival in Wenatchee in 1990, she continued her work with the Main Street Project as a volunteer with the Wenatchee Downtown Association. She served for many years on the WDA Board of Directors and is a past president. Being in Cincinnati with the Wenatchee delegation to receive the Great American Main Street Award was the highlight of her Main Street career. Karen has been active with the City’s Historic Preservation Board and is a former board member of both the Wenatchee Museum and Cultural Center and Habitat for Humanity. She is passionate about children excelling in math and science and is the Regional Director for the Math is Cool program. During the summer, she teaches a science class for elementary students that involves everything from racing solar powered mini cars to blasting pop bottle water rockets high in the sky! Current Council/Intergovernmental Assignments: • Chelan Douglas County Board of Health • Regional Support Network Governing Board/Developmental Disability Program for Chelan/Douglas Counties • Wenatchee City Park Board • Wenatchee Valley Tourism Promotion Assessment Commission City Council Priorities: • Wenatchee Downtown – Support and help to maintain our vibrant downtown area. • Planning – Continue to review and revise zoning ordinances to accommodate our changing and growing community. Affordable housing, parks and the foothills are areas of special support and concern. • Communication – Foster and maintain open communication with all citizens and governmental agencies in our Valley. • Infrastructure – Strong supporter of maintaining our roads and public facilities. A new fire station is a high priority for our community.
	Position No. 4 Doug Miller (2013) 924 Millerdale Heights Drive Wenatchee, WA 98801 (509) 663-3052 Email Doug A 22-year veteran of Douglas County Fire District #2, Doug joined the Wenatchee City Council in early 2006 with a focus on ensuring effective public safety for City residents. Prior to joining the Wenatchee City Council, Doug owned and operated a small business, served on the Wenatchee School Board, and served as a liaison for the Chelan County Solid Waste Council, the Wenatchee Parks Advisory Board, and the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center. Born in Wenatchee, Doug attended schools in both the Wenatchee and Eastmont School Districts prior to earning a degree in Fire Administration and Geography. It was his interest in public service that led Doug to serve with the Fire District and the Wenatchee City Council. Doug has been married for nearly 20 years and has two children. When not serving the citizens of Wenatchee, Doug enjoys aviation, including civil air patrol, and amateur radio operations.
	Position No. 5 Mark Kulaas (2011) 1219 Red Apple Road Wenatchee, WA 98801 (509) 662-6059 (h) (509) 884-7173 (w) Email Mark Born and raised in Wenatchee, Mark is grateful for the opportunity to serve the public. Mark is a graduate of Eastern Washington University and brings a 31-year land use planning background to the Council. He also currently serves as the Land Services Director for Douglas County. In addition to his professional responsibilities, Mark is currently serving as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Washington State Association of County and Regional Planning Directors, is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, the Washington State Department of Ecology Director’s Performance Advisors Group, and the Professional Advisory Committee for Eastern Washington University Department of Urban and Regional Planning. He also holds the designation of Certified Municipal Leader bestowed by the Association of Washington Cities. Mark has worked tirelessly to initiate some of his top priorities as Councilmember, including implementation of the City’s newly redesigned website as a vehicle to improve and expand citizen communication, the street overlay program, and the passage of design standards to guide an improved appearance for new development. Mark has also been instrumental in the creation of the Grandview Historic District, and the development of the Hearing Examiner system that has established a professional land use decision-making process. Mark is grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Council and be part of a team of elected officials and employees who share a dedication to creating a world-class community, and believes that together we can build a better City for current and future generations. Mark is the proud husband to wife Kathleen, who both enjoy their two grown children and one grandson. Mark is also an active member with the Rotary Club of Wenatchee and serves on its Board of Directors. Current Council/Intergovernmental Assignments: • Link Transit Board of Directors • City of Wenatchee Disability Board • City of Wenatchee Grievance Committee • City of Wenatchee Cemetery Advisory Committee • Wenatchee Valley Stormwater Management Steering Committee City Council Priorities: • Our physical community should develop in a manner envisioned by our citizens for the benefit of the public as a whole and not for narrowly focused, specific interests. • Our natural community should be protected and conserved so that the environmental qualities that make us an attractive City are not lost. • Our social and cultural community should offer a wide range of educational, financial, housing, recreational, and entertainment opportunities for all citizens, regardless of age, economic status and cultural heritage. • Our City services, and the finances to pay for them, should be managed in a manner that assures efficient delivery at a sustainable cost.
	Position No. 6 Don Gurnard (2011) 306 Canyon Place Wenatchee, WA 98801 (509) 663-8873 (h) (509) 393-1412 (c) Email Don A well-known community supporter, Councilman Don Gurnard has been involved with the Wenatchee Central Lions, Wenatchee Applarians, the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival, United Way, the Wenatchee Downtown Association, the Wenatchee Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau, the City of Wenatchee’s Disability Board, and Habitat for Humanity. A lifelong Wenatchee resident, Don is a graduate of both Wenatchee High School and Wenatchee Valley College. Don is proud of his community involvement and believes that Wenatchee’s greatest attribute includes the citizens who live, work and play here. He has witnessed first-hand countless acts of charitable giving, dedication and volunteerism and an immense amount of community pride. He believes this level of community pride contributes to Wenatchee’s vibrancy, economic strength and desirability as a place to live and work. Don and his wife Debbie, also a Wenatchee native, have raised two children in this community and enjoy spending time with their five grandchildren.
	Position No. 7 Carolyn Case (2011) 729 Monroe Street Wenatchee, WA 98801 (509) 393-4064 Email Carolyn A lifetime North Central Washington resident, Carolyn is serving her second term on the Wenatchee City Council. Born in the old Deaconess Hospital in Wenatchee, Carolyn’s work ethic was instilled at a young age while being raised on an orchard in Douglas County. She graduated from Eastmont High School and earned her B.A. degree in Missions from Northwest College (now University) in Kirkland, Washington. Carolyn has worked in the fruit industry since childhood; work that continues to be part of her passion to this day. She also coordinates various National Day of Prayer events, including award-winning groups featured in two local parades. Carolyn has also directed various choirs and a children’s musical through her church. Carolyn has offered her talents to the Chelan-Douglas Community Network, the Diversity Advisory Council, and the Community Action Board. She was also a founding member of the local Community Center and advocates passionately for our area’s underprivileged residents. Carolyn is married with four children. When not serving the residents of Wenatchee, Carolyn can be found reading, writing, walking, horseback riding, enjoying inspirational music or relaxing outdoors.