Joe Thieme Runs for Unofficial Mayor

One of the contenders running for Unofficial Mayor of Vashon this summer, a revived Strawberry Festival tradition, is Joe Thieme, also known as Joe T, with a campaign slogan of “Vote for THE Old Goat!” – a subtle nod to his competitor Bandit, a pet goat.

In this Mayoral race opponents vie for the seat by raising the most funds for their charity of choice, with each dollar donated counting as a vote. Joe is running in support of the recently formed non-profit organization Rj’s Kids, formed by Rj’s parents Judith Neary and Ramon Ontiveros after their son’s suicide death in October 2014.

Joe T. has been a narcotics counselor and youth advocate for almost 30 years. He’s been associated with many regional organizations whose focus is healthy youth development, including King County, the State of Washington and the Puyallup Tribe.

Since moving to Vashon five years ago Joe has become a Vashon Senior Center member and volunteer, joined the board of the Vashon Alliance to Reduce Substance Abuse (VARSA), and got involved with the Suicide Hope Initiative (SHine), a grass-roots support effort spear-headed by Garnett Burke, sister of Palmer Burke who passed by suicide in the Fall of 2012.

When asked, “Why Rj’s Kids?” Joe said, “They’re doing stuff that I’ve been wanting to do for the island youth for years. I have a wish list for Vashon and it’s huge.”

He said he first met Judith and Ramon at their son’s memorial, which Joe  said he attended just to help in some way. As it turned out Joe and Ramon realized they knew each other from past work experience.

Joe encountered Judith again when she conducted a presentation at a VARSA meeting about Rj;s Kids’ long-term vision of a community center for island youth and millennials. “They’re ideas are loving, caring and help human beings. They really touch my heart.”

The money raised by Thieme will go toward an Rj’s Kids scholarship fund earmarked for an upcoming program where they’ve partnered with Axiom Equine, an island company conducting life skills and leadership development workshops while engaging in powerful and direct experience with horses.  Co-founders Melissa Rampe and Kate Shook said “Axiom Equine is honored to work with Rj’s Kids. We value the opportunity to help empower these precious lives and plant a seed of change!”

Joe T. is proud to represent Rj’s Kids, as well and will be campaigning right up to Festival weekend. He encourages everyone to “vote often” via donation jars around town or online at www.rjs-kids.org. “I would love to see us all come together for the kids.”