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Determined to serve
1/27/2010 11:11:24 AM
By Hope Brumbach
Splash Editor
Profiles:
Cris Kaminskas
Cris Kaminskas has spent the last eight-plus months pursuing a Liberty Lake City Council position.
Last spring, she lost a Council appointment to fill a vacated seat. In the fall, she lost a closely contested race to Josh Beckett for an open position.
Last week, her perseverance paid off.
The newest Council member recently answered some question for The Splash about her determination to serve, her hopes for her position and some tidbits about her life the community likely doesn't know. Advertisement
Q. You've had a long road to the City Council. What kept you motivated to continue pursuing a seat?
A. I knew that this was something I really wanted to do. When I lost in November, I decided to get involved with the community in a different way. I was going to volunteer for Friends of Pavillion Park but (when) Patrick resigned I decided to give it another try. I don't give up very easily. Like I said, everything happens for a reason.
Q: What was the most difficult part about your path to the City Council?
A: It was difficult for me to accept the fact that so many people just didn't care about or pay attention to either of the council races in the November election. I wish more people would pay attention and get involved.
Q: What was your first reaction after your appointment last week to the Council?
A: I was glad that the time and effort that I've put in finally paid off.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish first now that you're a councilwoman?
A: Long term, I'd like to see Liberty Lake become a destination place. I want people to say, "Let's go spend the day in Liberty Lake." I envision people coming to spend the day shopping in specialty stores, eating in cute, neighborhood restaurants and telling their friends what a great place this is.
Q: What do you see as the biggest challenge to you personally as a city official?
A: I think the biggest obstacle is making sure I fully understand both sides of an issue before voting.
Q: You've talked a lot about your goals for the city. Could you summarize the top-three issues you'd like to address?
A: I guess the first would be to manage business and residential growth so that they support each other's success. Anything beyond that is hard to say. I'm not coming into this with an ax to grind or a chip on my shoulder about any issue. For now, I want to get my feet wet and take things as they come. I'd like to hear from residents and businesses to understand what the biggest things are that they want to see addressed.
Q: What was your backup plan if you weren't chosen for the Council?
A: I would have volunteered with Friends of Pavillion Park if this hadn't worked out. They're a great asset to this community and are an important part of attracting people from beyond the community's borders. I probably would have run again (for City Council) in 2011, maybe depending on who was running again, circumstances, which positions were up for election.
Q: Tell a little about your current position with KeyTronic. What was your career path leading to your current employment?
A: I started as a Program Manager in electronics contract manufacturing 16 years ago when I lived in Tampa, Fla. I've worked for three different facilities in that time frame under six different corporate owners. I moved from Cincinnati in 2006 to take the job at KeyTronic as senior program manager. I wasn't looking for a new position, it just came up and it was a great fit. I see it as another one of those "everything happens for a reason" moments in my life. On a daily basis I work with engineers, buyers, quality, planning and manufacturing personnel both at KeyTronic and at my customer to make sure a project is completed on time, meets financial goals and exceeds the customer's quality expectations.
Q: Could you share something that most people in Liberty Lake wouldn't readily know about you?
A: Not too long ago I was an excellent pianist and vocalist. Unfortunately, I haven't spent much time lately keeping up those skills.
Q: This is a session of "would you rather." I'll give you two scenarios, and you choose which one you prefer.
Would you rather boat on Liberty Lake or relax on the beach? Relax on the beach
Would you rather dine out or cook at home? I don't really cook
Would you rather take a road trip or travel to a destination location? Road trip with no plans
Would you rather watch a movie at home or host a party for friends? Watch a movie
Would you rather drink coffee or a soda? Diet Coke - I don't like coffee
Would you rather attend the Winter or Summer Olympics? Summer
Would you rather eat Mexican or Italian food? Definitely Italian
Would you rather read classic literature or a murder mystery? Murder mystery
Would you rather live without a car or a cell phone? If I pick the cell phone, can I have a horse?
Would you rather follow American Idol or the NFL? Probably NFL
Profiles:
Cris Kaminskas
Age
41
Family
Husband Scott (married for 14 years in May); son Kyle, age 7
Employment
Senior program manager, KeyTronicEMS
Education background
Bachelor's degree in psychology from Miami University in Ohio, work toward a master's degree in business at the University of Tampa
Hobbies
Music, reading
Favorite vacation destination
Lake Lure, NC
Personality trait valued in others
Fairness
Last book read
"I, Alex Cross" by James Patterson
Talent you'd most like to have
"I'd love to know how to play the violin."
Lived in Liberty Lake
Three and a half years
Life motto
Everything happens for a reason
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