LAKE STEVENS  The 100 Ideas Initiative, a statewide, nonpartisan project launched last month to seek the best ideas for the future of Washington, today announced the formation of an advisory board to help evaluate ideas submitted by the people of the state.

“We are honored to have such a talented and diverse group of leaders join our leadership team.  Our advisory board members are some of Washington’s best and brightest leaders from various professions and backgrounds,” said Rep. Mike Hope (R- Lake Stevens), the 100 Ideas Initiative’s founder.

“Each of these leaders has a passion for the future of our state, and they are ready to see innovative, new ideas emerge from the 100 Ideas program.  We are excited to have their participation in the idea gathering and selection process over the course of this year,” Hope said.

Next month, the 100 Ideas Initiative will launch a series of Idearaisers across the state soliciting ideas from citizens. Later this year, the advisory board will help review the ideas to select the best 100, to be published in a book.

Hope said he was especially pleased to have a strong contingent of Snohomish County leaders participating on the advisory council.

“I know the people of Snohomish County have a lot to offer the state when it comes to ideas and solutions for our future.  That’s why I am thrilled to be joined by so many Snohomish County leaders.  And it’s why we plan to hold many Idearaisers in the county to hear directly from the people about what they would like to see in government,” said Hope.

Advisory board members praised Hope for launching the 100 Ideas Initiative and expressed confidence that many good ideas will emerge from the program.

Kirke Slevers, Snohomish County Treasurer, said "Our state is full of people with ideas. At a time when we need solutions to help our economy listening to these ideas will greatly benefit our state."

Dave Gossett Snohomish county Councilmember, said "In a democracy all of our authority comes from the citizens. Part of re-building trust in government is listening to their concerns and ideas."

Janice R. Greene, President of the NAACP Snohomish County Branch, said "I am looking forward to this opportunity to participate in '100 Ideas Initiative.' I'm particularly pleased that this is a bipartisan effort that reaches out to all communities in Washington State. “

JJ Frank, the Director of Minority Achievers program for YMCA of Snohomish County, said "Government can never go wrong when it outreaches to the community for input and gathers ideas to serve the citizens better."

Shannon Affholter, Everett City Council President, said "To build a strong alliance it is important for leaders to reach out to others in a community."

Mark Lamb, Mayor of Bothell, said "As the City of Bothell has redeveloped our downtown, some of the best ideas came from reaching out to our citizens and asking them to envision the future of our City.”

Dr. Bruce Kochis, a professor at the University of Washington Bothell, said “Dialogue is an essential component to the student/teacher interaction. It is equally important that our community and political leaders engage with the citizenry in the same manner."

Jon Nehring, Mayor of Marysville, said "The decisions that we make affect the daily lives of our constituents on so many levels, making it absolutely essential that their voices are heard clearly and often. We need to ensure that all the culturally diverse voice are represented in the decision-making process."

For more information about 100 Ideas, visit the 100 Ideas web site online at www.100ideaswa.org.

Members of the board include:

Representative Mike Hope - R, Washington State Representative 44th District

Representative Chris Hurst - D, Washington State Representative 31st District

Kirke Sievers, Snohomish County Treasurer

Dave Gossett, Snohomish County Councilmember

Reagan Dunn, King County Councilmember

Ray Stephanson, Mayor of Everett

Jon Nehring, Mayor, City of Marysville

Shannon Affholter, Everett City Council President

Mark Lamb, Mayor of Bothell

Gordon Cole, Small Business Owner

Ed Eisseman, Orthopedic Surgeon

Suzi Wright, Education Advocate

Kenyon Chan, University of Washington, Bothell Chancellor

Janice Green, President, NAACP Snohomish County Branch

JJ Frank, Director of Minority Achievers Program, YMCA of Snohomish County

Representative Kevin Parker, Washington State Representative 6th District

Dr. Bruce Kochis, University of Washington Bothell

Hunter Graham Goodman, Assistant Attorney General, Washington State Attorney General's Office

Shelly O’Quinn, Director of workforce and education, Greater Spokane Incorporated

Rich Hadley, President and CEO of Greater Spokane Incorporated

Lisa Schmidt, Owner, MarketingMatters, Inc

Larry Worden, Executive Board, Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs