Joe Campbell’s Background:
Joe Campbell grew up in New Jersey and went to graduate school at the University of Arizona. He got a job at Washington State University as a professor of philosophy and worked there for 26 years before retiring this year.
“I retired with a lot of work to do,” Campbell said. “I edit books and I have a book I wrote that I am trying to get published, so I am still active, but not teaching.”
What are your main campaign goals and what do you hope to change in Moscow:
“I’ve been emphasizing education, transportation, and housing,” Campbell said. “I think those are the three I’ve been focusing on the most because they allow me to talk about some of my political ideas because they all require some kind of cooperation.”
Campbell said he talked to people in differing income brackets who expressed concerns about housing.
“Of course, as you go down the income level, the problems become worse,” Campbell said. “Nobody is really happy with the housing choices, and I think if you have a situation like that, there’s got to be a way to find some political relief for a variety of people from different income levels who are unhappy with the situation.”
Campbell also expressed optimism in the City of Moscow’s Climate Action Plan.
“[According to the Climate Action Plan] We’re supposed to cut emissions in half by 2035, so there’s a commitment to certain kinds of changes in the infrastructure. I think that together with these issues like the housing issues that affect us all that there is potential for some relief for some of these issues.”
“I would love to change housing, but one thing I think I can really have some effect on is transportation,” Campbell said.
Campbell said an issue that he heard about from people at the ASUI meeting on Oct. 17 was the walkability of the city.
“There were people that would love to walk more, but the issue is walkability. There aren’t places to walk comfortably. But again, that is part of the [Climate Action Plan], to create more spaces like that,” Campbell said.
Campbell also wishes there were more options for bus transportation, stressing the importance of student participation in getting more options.
Ways to improve the relationship between university and city:
Campbell emphasized how important students are to the vitality of Moscow. He also said providing housing for students is important.
“You make them [students] happy, you really make a large portion of the community happy,” Campbell said.
Campbell hopes to see collaboration between the university and city in creating more housing options for students.
“Moscow is what it is in part because of the university and students. As a former teacher, I understand that. People like to be around young people and if you can integrate communities, I think it just makes for a nicer community.”
Any oversights or mistakes the city is making now:
Campbell said he thought the city was doing well right now.
“When I first started asking around about issues, there weren’t a lot of complaints,” Campbell said. “A lot of people have concerns about the trees. I think it is because in Pullman they had to remove a bunch of ash trees for unrelated issues.”
Campbell expressed concern that the shade trees in downtown Moscow were planted at the same time and will likely come down at the same time.
“But this is in the community action plan,” Campbell said. “I talked to people on the Tree Commission. They are thinking about getting an arborist. So, these concerns are already being talked about.”
Campbell added that water is always a concern, but certainly not overlooked.
“I’ve gotten to know a lot more about the city, how well-run it is, and I don’t really see a lot of things that are overlooked,” Campbell said.
Why should people vote for you:
“I think being a philosopher gives me a sort of appreciation of alternative ideas and it really helps me to think outside the box. I’ve spent my life working with students, so I have worked with people from all ages as a professor. I think of myself as a people person. In high school I was elected friendliest. I think part of it is because I got along with everyone, and it is still the case now. I can see the good in a lot of different people, and I try to see how we can work together.”
Additional comments:
“I am really excited to be running. I am retired and it’s given me a better idea of the community and a better way that I can be of some assistance in my retirement. So, whether I win or lose, I am happy with my decision to run. I’m enjoying myself, though it is a little stressful at points. I find it enjoyable.”
Georgia Swanson can be reached at [email protected]