Stephen, Neighbor

<strong>Bio</strong><br>Stephen Lauzon is a Microsoft SQL Server database administrator and application developer at a Washington not for profit company headquartered in Seattle.  He has 10 years experience in the database field with a previous career in architectural drafting.  A United States Air Force Veteran, Stephen has received world-class training and gained priceless experience supporting the worlds most advanced fighting forces.

On the Personal side, Stephen is married to a Patch contributor--Rachel--and has two wonderful children who keep him on his toes.  He is a &#34;Jeeper&#34; who enjoys off- and on-road adventures alike.  His other hobbies include his family&#39;s Halloween display, (it&#39;s spectacular,) which grows each year, and geocaching with his family when time and weather permit.

A native of Michigan, Stephen grew up just a mile from US-2 and is well versed in winter driving and downhill skiing, which differ only slightly in Michigan&#39;s UP (that&#39;s Upper Peninsula, not University Place.)  His rural upbringing and insatiable curiosity have provided him with a breadth of knowledge that makes him a self-proclaimed authority on many topics.

<strong>Politics/Beliefs</strong><br>How would you describe your political beliefs?<br>Stephen is a fiscal conservative, yet somewhat of a social moderate perhaps leaning towards libertarianism, but not the fanatical type that thinks all drugs should be legalized.  He is a firm believer in the U.S. Constitution and that this country&#39;s founding was divinely inspired.

<strong>Religion</strong><br>How religious would you consider yourself? (casual, observant, devout, non religious)<br>Stephen was raised in a Catholic family, and attended Catholic grade school.  He has a relationship with God, but doesn&#39;t feel that requires him to be a member of any church at this point in his life.

<strong>Local Hot-Button Issues</strong><br>How do you feel about the Town(e) Center?<br>Stephen feels this project was handled the wrong way from the start.  Rather than local government trying to be a developer and trying to control every detail of the way the city develops, he believes they should have created clear zoning and ordinances and a favorable business environment to encourage development, i.e. low taxes and tax incentives for businesses.  Now that we&#39;ve shelled out $50 million&#43; to build a brand new library where a brand new library once stood and to welcome Applebee&#39;s to the neighborhood, he thinks we need to take a serious look at where to go from here and how to mitigate our losses.

How do you feel about Chambers Creek Properties<br>Some say that Chambers was meant to be a playground for the elite, and to some degree, Stephen concurs.  Again, government was trying to get into the business of development where private firms would have been better suited to develop the property.  That being said, he thinks the property is beautiful and the trails are extensive and tries to get the most benefit for his family that he can.  He does believe that $160 for &#34;public&#34; golf is outrageous, and the no carts idea is just plain crazy.