By Brandon Hansen
For the Nisqaully Valley News
Earlier this summer, in June, Amanda Johnstone was selected to fill a vacancy on the Yelm City Council.
Along with her husband, David, and son, Alex, she moved to town in 2017.
“We were purchasing our first home and chose Yelm as our ‘forever home’ to raise our family,” Johnstone said. “We liked the idea of a small town where our son could play outside with the neighborhood kids all day, and there was a strong sense of community.”
Johnstone said two weeks after her family moved in, she was driving on Yelm Avenue and saw the first UFO Festival by Yelm Cinemas. As a big X-Files fan growing up in the 1990s, she took that as a sign that Yelm was the perfect place to be.
Johnstone joined many community Facebook groups to stay up with her new community. She noticed that more postings were getting increasingly negative.
“My heart hurt seeing community members engage in arguments online, and it was painting a picture in my head that I did not like or want to be a part of,” Johnstone said. “I knew Yelm was filled with people who were selfless, helpful, caring and loving. Yelm needed more people on the council who could bridge the divide, not increase it. When I saw Mr. Blair’s seat become available, I knew it was the perfect opportunity for me to join the council and represent the positive that Yelm can offer.”
Johnstone said she wanted to show that city government is not you versus me but how people can work together.
“I hope to foster relationships with community members that will continue after my time on the council expires,” she said. “I have met so many amazing people this past month that do so much for our city. They are the ones who work so hard to make Yelm good, and you do not see or hear about them because they work quietly behind the scenes. These people are the glue that holds our city together.”
Johnson added she hopes to open the door to questions community members deserve answers to and start the conversation about these questions.
“I want to bring my support to Mayor Joe DePinto and current council members who have been working tirelessly on safety issues for our community, most importantly bringing a hospital or stand-alone ER to Yelm,” she said. “This is not a small task and for sure will not even begin to be accomplished during my brief time on council, but offering my support, knowledge and connections to this goal are how I am able to contribute.”
While not having prior government or civil service experience, Johnstone currently works as a director of operations with a litigation support firm.
“I have worked in the legal industry since I was 19 and enjoy it very much,” Johnstone said. “I went to college while I was working and have worked my way up in my organization. My company has 11 locations in the U.S., and I am the director for the [Pacific Northwest] region.”
Johnstone said she was worried about not being received well after pointing out critical actions of a council member in her interview for the open seat. However, all current council members, Mayor DePinto and the City of Yelm staff have been helpful, welcoming and informative.
“I can see the positive direction Yelm continues to move in and am honored to be a part of this,” Johnstone said.
She added that the council is focusing on working with the Washington State Department of Transportation to ensure loops and roundabouts stay on schedule to help alleviate congestion and support infrastructure. The council also continues to hold meetings to bring a YMCA to Yelm and recently created a Homeless Taskforce Committee.
Yelm is also breaking ground on a new dog park and constructing the stage for events at Yelm City Park.
“I have met some amazing Yelm community members since being appointed,” Johnstone said. “I have been given the opportunity to volunteer with various organizations and will continue to do so, even after my time on the council has expired.”
Johnstone will not be running again for this seat in November’s election but looks forward to running for City Council in 2024.
“I hope that whoever wins the seat in November will continue with this mission,” she said. “Yelm continues to grow, and the elected officials voters put into place will be the ones ushering in the growth for years to come. Everyone should use their right to vote and have their voice heard. I encourage all voters to participate in the primary election as well as the general election in November.”
