March 15, 2005 ♦ Edition 1

Welcome to the first edition of The Ferguson Flyer, a periodic update from my re-election campaign for King County Council. The campaign is off to a great start! I know the important work precinct officers do for our Party, so my first priority has been to personally meet all the PCOs in the new 1^st County Council District. So far, I’ve knocked on almost all of their doors.

This newsletter provides you with more information about my commitment to our shared Democratic values. Prior to my election, I was proud to serve as Executive Director for the King County Democrats and pro bono legal counsel for the Washington State Democratic Party. If you have any questions about my campaign, please call me at home at 206-523-7245 or email me at bob@electbobferguson.com. I would love to have your support!

Best,

My Commitment to Human Services

I am 40 years old and a life-long resident of King County. I attended high school in our District and then graduated from the University of Washington where I served as Student Body President. My wife, Colleen, and I were married last August and, like you, live in the new 1^st County Council District. Colleen works at Shoreline Community College as Assistant Director of International Education.

In addition to raising seven children, my Mom taught Special Education in the Seattle Public Schools. As a young boy, I learned that not everyone had the same opportunities that I did. After graduating from the University of Washington, I postponed law school to spend a year directing an inner-city emergency services office through the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. I was responsible for assisting individuals in need with food, clothing, and paying utility bills. A few years later, I spent a summer working with Yaqui Indians in Guadalupe, Arizona.

These experiences taught me many things, but in particular they taught me the unfortunate fact that our human service agencies are asked to serve those most in need, but often are allocated the fewest resources. I vowed that if I ever became an elected official I would fight to secure necessary funding for these critical services.

As a member of the King County Council, I am leading the effort to find a dedicated revenue source for these programs. I was recently asked by King County Executive Ron Sims to join a group of elected officials, human service providers, and religious, community, and business leaders, to increase public awareness of human services and to analyze potential funding sources.

My commitment to preserving and strengthening human services doesn’t end with serving on a committee. I believe it is important for elected officials to work with non-profit groups in the community. That is why my staff and I volunteer once a month at a human service agency in the District. Over the past year, we have sorted and distributed food at food banks, served lunch and helped decorate for the holidays at senior centers, served meals to homeless youth, and organized clothes for a thrift store.

Thank you for reading this newsletter. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

LABOR DONATED