Councilmember Monica MickHager

Monica has made Port Townsend her home since 1985, where she raised her kids and has owned a landscaping business for 30 years. She has had the gift of being able to be part of our community for 36 years as a parent, business owner, neighbor, friend and volunteer. 

Monica started her volunteer life as a volunteer firefighter in Bodega Bay CA, from 1979 to 1983, and remains committed to public service and engaged in public safety issues. She has been able to experience deeply all the changes in our community; good, and not so good as our city has evolved through the years. She believes we are a community of individuals committed to taking care of our city. We have a strong interest in our local government that provides services to everyone who has chosen to live here.

Monica's Approach to Council Services include being available and listen to those who want to share ideas and thoughts about how we can steward this amazing town. Taking the time to reach out to people, gather opinions and participate in dialogs prepares her to do the best she can to work with her fellow Councilmembers and City staff. Monica is delighted with this opportunity to work for all of us in this capacity as a City Councilmember.

"Immediately after I started as a councilmember in January 2020 I offered a standing weekly time that I was in the council/mayor office in City Hall where anyone could stop by and talk to me. I enjoyed doing this for the few short months I could do this before the pandemic. When we are back completely open again I am going to go back to office hours one afternoon a week. Years ago all city council members had this office time available and I took advantage and would meet with a council member. It helped me to feel heard and seen and to have a discussion on issues of importance to me. I am working to give this same accessibility to my community now."

Boards and Committees

• City Council Infrastructure and Development Committee
• City Council Finance and Budget Committee
• Jefferson County Clean Water District Advisory Council
• Jefferson County/Port Townsend Regional Emergency Planning Committee
• Team Jefferson Economic Development Council (EDC)
• Parks, Recreation, Trees and Trails Advisory Board (Council Liasion)
• Historic Preservation Committee (Council Liasion) 

Monica's public/government volunteer Experience:

• 11 years - Port Townsend Planning Commission;
• 6 years - Port Townsend Parks & Recreation Advisory Board;
• 5 years - Community Representative on Port Townsend School District hiring committees
• nonprofit/neighborhood volunteer:
• 19 years - commitment to Port Townsend film Festival as Operations Manager or volunteer
• 5 years - volunteer for the Port Townsend Rhody Parade
• Current KPTZ Board Member
• 30 years of passionate involvement on community/neighborhood activist groups