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Contents this page were published in the September/October, 1997 edition of the Washington Free Press.
WFP, 1463 E. Republican #178, Seattle, WA -USA, 98112. -- WAfreepress@gmail.com
Copyright © 1997 WFP Collective, Inc.
Voter Bliss in the September Primaries
Who is enthusiastic about politics these days? Voting is too often a civic duty only engaged in only to prevent even worse things from happening. In King County and Seattle this year, things are different. In fact, you'll even have the opportunity to agonize over which good candidate to vote for in some races. We're focusing on Seattle and King County races because the chance for a major shakeup there is about as good as anywhere in the state. Here are our recommendations in some of the more interesting races.
Nickels is the One
For Seattle Mayor, the clear choice is Greg Nickels. But first, here's why we're not endorsing Charlie Chong. Sure, we're against many of the things Chong is against, but we're for equally as many things he opposes. Rapid transit? Charlie's against it. Urban planning and growth management? Not in Charlie's City. Low-income housing? Build it in King County, not Seattle, according to Charlie. Chong recently opposed funding a bike path that would connect the Burke-Gilman to downtown, creating a safe corridor for bicycle commuting. Throw in Charlie's schmoozing during campaign-finance-law violator Thomas Stewart's recent Republican shindig, and you have more than enough reasons to say, "Sorry, Charlie."
Apart from his unfortunate support for Stadium Madness, Nickels has the best record of any King County politician. When rapid transit was in danger of extinction, and Rice and Locke were spending their time bailing out sports billionaires, Nickels was doing behind-the-scenes work on the County Council to save the plan that became the successful RTA. Nickels voted against the politically-correct expansion of King county's prison capacity. He fought to make existing transit more affordable (25 cent bus fares were his idea), and more recently got the W. Seattle passenger-only ferry out of the docks. Most of the Greenbelt preservation in the County is the result of a Nickels'-sponsored ballot measure.
Unlike most Democrats, Nickels has bridged the gap between environmentalists and labor, gaining the endorsement of the Washington Conservation Voters and the Sierra Club, along with the nod of the King County Labor Council and the Machinists. Expect diligent and intelligent policy-making from Nickels, not grandstanding.
Richard Conlin For City Council Position #2
Conlin will help provide a vision that has been absent given the City's current leadership. Conlin helped organize Sustainable Seattle, a forum for developing indicators for measuring the region's movement toward environmental and social health. More recently, he was publisher of In Context (now Yes!) magazine, a leading national voice on socially and environmentally-sustainable communities.
Conlin can get down to nuts and bolts, too. While on a citizens' oversight board of Seattle City Light, Conlin helped to save rate payers millions of dollars in unnecessary rate increases. Conlin wants to use needed projects, such as rapid transit, to ensure the City creates enough family-wage jobs. Conlin calls for a city that is "...a model for the world of environmental quality, economic health, and social justice." Why should we accept anything less?
For Position #3, Vote Peter Steinbrueck
Peter Steinbrueck has been involved on the right side of issues most of his life, learning progressive urban politics from his father Victor, who designed the Space Needle and organized the successful effort to save the Pike Place Market from "redevelopment." Steinbrueck Jr. has been in the thick of things during most struggles to save the soul and character of the city. He was a major player in the successful late 80's battle to control the downtown building boom. When weird financial shenanigans threatened to leave the Pike Place Market in the control of New York investors, Steinbrueck led the battle to retain public control. Architect Steinbrueck has also pledged to focus on solving the low-income and affordable housing crunch. With Steinbrueck on the Council, progressives can stop fighting rearguard actions against downtown glitz and corporate welfare, and begin creating a more humane and livable city.
Position #4: Patrick Kylen
Patrick Kylen is the clear choice over incumbent City Council President Jan Drago, who most embodies the narrow, corporate tendencies of the current council. This race scared away most challengers. Thirty-year-old Patrick Kylen shifted from contesting an open seat, and against the odds is giving Drago a real run for her (abundant) money. Drago is calling in all the chits in a search for endorsements, but Kylen is revealing Drago's unexpected vulnerability. Kylen picked up one major endorsement from the Firefighters, and has been running strong seconds for endorsements in the Democratic districts. In the pivotal 43rd District, Kylen's strong showing forced Drago to endure a second vote, with the District voting not to endorse her on the second ballot.
Kylen will bring a renter's perspective to the City Council, which has been too beholden to landlord interests, and pledges to strengthen education so that local residents aren't bypassed by the new economy. Kylen promises to rekindle citizen faith in government. As an example, he promises to hold one Council meeting a week in neighborhood centers, bringing government to where the people live. Choosing Kylen over Drago is the best way to send the current council a message.
City Council Position #6: Ya Gotta Licata
Among the City Council candidates, Nick Licata has the most substantial record of public service. When it came time to organize against sports-welfare, Licata quickly stepped up to the plate by co-directing Citizens for More Important Things. As President of 911 Media Arts, Licata worked to open media and arts production facilities open to average citizens. Licata organized Friends of Westlake Park which engaged in an epic (losing) battle for a downtown park instead of a shopping mall. When the City planned to lease a parking garage with the potential for $1 million annual revenue to the Convention Center for one dollar, Licata was the one blowing the whistle.
Whether it's stumping for low-income housing, or advocating for open government, Licata has never wavered from his vision of a democratic, humane city. He is running an energetic, grassroots campaign that has also been very effective in racking up major endorsements. Most recently, Licata picked up the support of both the King County Labor Council, and the King County Women's Political Caucus. Licata will ask the hard questions of the City bureaucracy and his Council colleagues, and has the demonstrated experience to get things done.
Ortman for Port Watchdog
The Seattle Port Commission has a way of eating citizen activists and spitting out corporate free-traders. Port politics is high politics, where establishment politicos make multibillion dollar decisions affecting things as diverse as the direction of waterfront development, the flow of trade in and out of the Northwest, and the development of Sea-Tac Airport. If there is anyone with the integrity to stand up to this pressure, it is former Northwest Director of Friends of the Earth David Ortman. Ortman is running against Jack Block for Position Number 1 in the county-wide race with calls for regional cooperation, political openness at the Port, and environmental responsibility.
Taking advantage of an obscure ordinance allowing citizens to petition to change the name of the Port, Ortman along with a group called King County Citizens for a Responsible Port presented petitions in early September to change its name to the Port of King County, emphasizing regionalism over city-centrism. Ortman will work to eliminate the property tax subsidy for the Port, which too often funds boondoggles, and will help mitigate the effects of Sea-Tac expansion. Putting Ortman on the Port is the best way to bring a gale of fresh air to Port operations.
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