TJ Fantini for Anacortes City Council

Position 3

Local

TJ’s family moved to Anacortes in 1987 when his dad Mike was transferred from the Chem Trade refinery in St Louis to Anacortes, WA. His family immediately moved to serve the community, with his Dad working to help the local youth baseball organizations and his mom Jean first as PTA president and eventually President of the Anacortes School Board for 12 years.

Engaged

There aren’t many community events where you won’t run into TJ. He believes the best way to represent the voices in our community is to meet them where they are at. Whether a play or participating in a city/chamber/port event like the Water Front Festival, the Anacortes’ Annual tree lighting, or Senior Center Fashion Show– TJ is engaged in many different aspects of our community.

Focused

TJ has dedicated 30-40 hours per week for the past six years as the volunteer president of Anacortes Community Theater. Working to keep the theater viable through covid so that it could return to its greatness took every single one of those hours. TJ is looking forward to shifting that time commitment to serving his constituents on the council.

Key Issues

TJ seeks to bolster the Mayor and Councils efforts in developing Anacortes’s infrastructure plan due in 2025. Aiming to bridge the gap between the council, city staff, and the Mayor's office, TJ will serve as a representative for the citizens' voice and will support city staff's expertise. His goal is to facilitate an effective, understandable plan that's backed by the citizens and prioritizes their needs. We welcome growth that enhances Anacortes, but need to be careful about growth that detracts from it.
Committed to public safety, TJ advocates for an increased staff presence in police and fire departments to address peak-hour calls and successfully implement the levy lid that the citizens of Anacortes overwhelmingly supported. He is also committed to improving pavement and sidewalk conditions through his active participation in city council meetings, ensuring every neighborhood's concerns are addressed. TJ emphasizes the importance of equally enforcing all laws, particularly those impacting areas like T Ave, to uphold community safety and integrity.
TJ champions the preservation of Anacortes's parks and forestlands over excessive development. He envisions maintaining distinct spaces, like recreational parks and natural reserves, and ensuring safety measures for boaters in marinas. Additionally, TJ acknowledges the need for replacement community spaces following the loss of the Transit Shed, advocating for shared solutions between the City and Port of Anacortes.
Recognizing the common goals of the City and Port of Anacortes, TJ will continue to build on his relationships with port commissioners and staff, committing to regular meetings to foster a thriving maritime community. He stresses the importance of solid communication for solving long-standing issues such as parking needs and community center provisions.
As a staunch supporter of the arts, TJ is passionate about growing the Arts community in Anacortes. His efforts toward gaining a state-level Creative District designation reflect his commitment to increasing tourism and securing funding. His leadership in initiatives like Anacortes Community Theater and AKtion Theatre for adults with disabilities underscores his dedication to enriching the local cultural scene. Look no further then the brand new Arts Center at Buxtons – a collaboration between the Anacortes Arts Festival, Fidalgo DanceWorks, ACT Theater, and AMP (Anacortes Music Project) that TJ was instrumental in taking it from an idea to a reality.

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Community-Focused

TJ Fantini's deep-rooted connection to Anacortes is evident in his community-focused leadership. During the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, ACT, under TJ's guidance, was among the first organizations to safely bring the community together. He managed community "yard" sales to reduce excess inventory, an effort that, while challenging, engaged the community and promoted a spirit of togetherness. The sales provided a platform for heartfelt, tearful reunions while adhering to safety guidelines. TJ's community-centric approach ensured that everyone's voice was heard and every decision was made with the community in mind.

Resilient Leadership

TJ's resilience was on full display as he navigated ACT through the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic. Tough decisions had to be made, such as shutting down beloved community programs like the AKTION Theatre. Yet, TJ faced these challenges head-on, leading with transparency, empathy, and a focus on long-term sustainability. His steadfast leadership ensured that these programs were successfully reintroduced once it was safe, demonstrating his ability to adapt and lead in times of crisis.

Fiscally Responsible

Exemplifying fiscal responsibility, TJ made significant cost reductions for ACT during a period of great financial strain. He successfully ended a lease on an unusable stage, a move that significantly decreased costs. Furthermore, his organized community sales effort reduced inventory by almost 80%, freeing up funds and space. Through his efficient management, TJ ensured that ACT could continue serving the community while remaining financially stable. His prudent fiscal decision-making and cost-cutting efforts reveal a leader who values and practices economic responsibility.