Brian McClerren of Lopez Island has declared his candidacy from District 3 Lopez/Shaw/Decatur for the new county-wide county council election April 23, 2013.

McClerren moved to Lopez Island in 2004, lured by a plethora of good paying jobs. Initially he was hired over the telephone by a local building contractor.

“The labor shortage was so acute that I remember trying to convince my friends back in Oregon to move up and work construction,” he said.

Jobs were easy to find, but places to live were not. His first rental on the island had a priceless view of the ocean but no kitchen or shower.

“Well, I used to go to IMC super early and use the coin showers. I was worried that someone would see me and think I was a bum or something,” McClerren said. “When you live somewhere this special you’re willing to accept some sacrifices.”

McClerren and his family joined with others in forming Common Ground, the Lopez Community Land Trust’s forth affordable housing project. Brian served as co-op treasurer during the construction process. At the same time he and his former partner Andrea Huss started the Media Cocktail business in Lopez Village. McClerren used his time as a business owner to return to school and studied economics, accounting, and business law.

“I figured out early on that if you want to survive out here you’ve got to have a broad set of skills and you have to keep adapting,” he said.

McClerren recently hired the first employee for his new business Reveal Window Cleaning while also working full time at Sunset Builder’s Supply.

McClerren is married to Leslie Franklin, the cheery new face at the Southend General Store. Together with Andrea, they co-parent Kayla, 9, and Levi, 7, and are expecting a new baby in June.

McClerren has been interested in civil service ever since his involvement in the LCLT, “I saw firsthand how government policies and priorities affect individuals. When the regulations are not in your favor, the cost of building goes up really fast. I realized the county is just as capable of being a hindrance to progress as it is to being a facilitator.”

McClerren has pledged to restore monthly town hall meetings and make himself available to those who can’t find the time to attend.

“We must find ways to improve citizens access to our government and give the people tangible reasons to believe that the council is their advocate and not their adversary,” he said.

You can contact McClerren at 468-3075 and revealclean@gmail.com. For more info, visit http://www.mcclerren4lopez.com/.