Stephanie Kramer, the owner of The Old Tower House Bed and Breakfast in Empire, has filed paperwork and announced she is running for a position on the Coos Bay City Council.

A four-year resident of Coos Bay, Kramer has no experience with public office, but has served as a board member of the Concerned Citizens of Empire for the last two years. If elected in November, Kramer said she wants to work to build opportunities for young people and preserve Coos Bay's historic culture.

“I never ever dreamed I would run for a political office, but I feel like I would like to be a part of the changes going on,” Kramer said. “I can feel the pulse of the community. In downtown and Empire you can really feel that things are going to happen, and I want to be a part of that.”

A graduate of Colorado State University with a degree in food science and nutrition, Kramer has experience in management and has been an entrepreneur for several years. An open mind and a positive attitude are two qualities that Kramer said she hopes to offer the council and the community.

“I don't want this to turn into L.A. by any means, but I'd like to see some family wage jobs come in,” she said. “You can't keep young people in this area on minimum-wage jobs. I don't know how people survive on a minimum wage.”

If elected, Kramer said she wants to see some public projects through the council - especially the Hollering Place.

“My heart and soul is really in Empire, so I really hope to see the Hollering Place project get moving. It would be good for the whole community, not just Empire,” she said. “With the new Empire Cafe going in, and all the remodeling efforts, it's great to see people taking pride in their buildings.”

Although she said she has a stake in revitalizing Empire, Kramer said she also wants to expand the police and fire departments and clear up some of the red tape for new business owners.

“There's so much bureaucracy in getting started as a business, and I'd just like to see if there's a way we could make it a little easier to get things done. Like a packet that could help new business owners get going,” she said.

Fiscal responsibility is another concern of Kramer's, who hopes to help the city stay on track with the budget.

“A lot of people don't get involved. But you can't complain if you don't get involved and try and change things,” she said.