With North Bend’s Position 7 councilman Chris Garcia vacating his seat this fall, two challengers are facing off for the right to take the council job, effective immediately after the vote is certified.

One of them, Planning Commissioner Piper Muoio (pronounced “Mew-yo”), hopes to bring a fresh perspective to the North Bend City Council. She feels her professional background in process improvement and customer service will serve her well on the council, as she works toward economic development and growth for the city.

Piper M. Muoio

Residence, Occupation:

I have lived in King County for 13 years, in North Bend for five of those years. I have over 20 years of experience as a Business and IT professional, working for both public and private companies around the world. I currently work as a consultant for Microsoft, deploying support tools for the Xbox Customer Support Team. I have served on the North Bend Planning Commission for two-plus years.

What are your qualifications for a seat on the city council?

I have over seven years of experience in providing community and public services, as a board member (VP & Treasurer) for numerous Home Owners’ Associations, and as a current member of the North Bend Planning Commission. These experiences give me the foundation and detailed understanding of the process and technicalities of a public service role. My professional experience allows me to bring skills in public speaking, customer service, operations, process improvement, risk management, team building and an overall passion for success, which are all valuable tools in decision making while considering what is best for our great city and the citizens of North Bend.

What is the primary reason you are running for office?

I’d like to expand my role in the decision-making process beyond my activities on the Planning Commission. My expertise in other areas will be encompassed through a seat on the City Council, including financial management, operations and general economic development.

How would you bring jobs to the city?

The key to bringing jobs is getting to a stable economy. The challenge is how the city can encourage and support new and existing business owners, as well as up-and-coming entrepreneurs. I’d like to think I can bring new ideas to the city for aiding in growing the downtown corridor.

How would you resolve infrastructure issues?

I am hopeful that my fresh ideas can help bring a new perspective and subsequently new ways to resolve current issues.

What other challenges do you see for the city in the coming year?

For our city as others, economic development. However, for North Bend specifically, we need to look at how we can help current business owners be successful in the use of their properties in the downtown corridor for their own benefit, but also as a benefit to our citizens and visitors to our city. We need to figure out how to make the downtown corridor a destination.

What do you see as the role of a council member?

I see the council member position as a moderator and facilitator for the voice of the citizens of North Bend. It is of upmost importance to me that I act in a manner where citizens feel comfortable sharing their views on city issues with me, so I may consider those views in making decisions as a council member.

What’s something about you that your neighbors may not know?

On a professional note, my husband and I hope to start a business one day. We would be elated if it could be in North Bend. The concept is simple, but would bring great joy to me and my husband and hopefully to our patrons.On a personal note, I began riding a motorcycle three years ago. It is one of my favorite things to do, especially riding in and around the beautiful Snoqualmie Valley.

What specific challenges will the council need to address as North Bend grows?

As the city grows, the infrastructure needs to grow as well; however, there needs to be a balance of what makes sense in the near term versus what can come in stages. An example, might be how to offer more services without stretching current staff too thin, but also being sensitive to how current processes might be adjusted to help accommodate more work.