Seattle City Council Thoughts in August

I actually pushed hard for several weeks in February, March and April of this year about running for Seattle City Council this year.  Yes, while very pregnant with #theQuinoa.  The timing did not work out.  I have political interests for the future, yes.  

Promised on our podcast episode of Windshield Time, "Ray Dalio Report, Poopcoin, and Local Politics" that I'd share this, so here it is. 

Why now?  Here's what we've experienced as a family, all in the last 1.5 - 2 years that's caused my strong attention to our local political scene in Seattle:

1. My husband was held up at gunpoint by four (4), yes that's FOUR armed young men near our home.  You can imagine the horror when my husband gave me that update, waking me up in the middle of the night.  HORROR.  Complete horror.
2. My mother-in-law, aged 70+, was mugged, in the evening getting off the bus-line near our home.  Two young women, in fact, pushed her down, took her purse, and then... kicked her even more as she lay there.  She was very bruised up.  (WHY kick an old lady when she's down?)
3. Our home was completely burglarized.  They took pretty much everything you can think of - including shoes, Seahawks jerseys, and packed it all up in our own bags/suitcases. 
4. Homeless people camping out in our child's daycare playground.  No one wants to imagine strangers and homeless people camping out at the daycare.
5. Increased visual vandalism EVERYWHERE - every crevice, sign, highways, underpasses, and then some is seemingly covered in graffiti or trash in general.  This is a beautiful city - one I fell in love with almost 18 years ago when I moved to this city.  It was the cleanest, friendliest, and most amazing city I had ever seen. 

Here's what I think.  Those in positions of public service, do not seem to understand that public service is about stewardship and taking careful care of our communities.  I am very skeptical that many who are in Seattle City Council positions or that are running for Seattle City Council positions are doing so because they want to serve - and more for the $100,000+ salary that it comes with.  Many are running for the pay-raise.  Maybe some have run for the political platform and access.  What we need is stewardship.  Stewardship. Stewardship. Stewardship.  Servant leadership.  "The careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care" is how Merriam-Webster defines Stewardship.  Do a job so carefully that it's left in an even better state than when you originally were entrusted with it.  As Seattle, that's what is missing.

So, there are endorsements and voter guides being published left and right.  Liberal.  Conservative.  Facebook.  Media.  Pamphlets.  I took what I have seen so far, and threw it into a spreadsheet.  Excel.  For transparency, I added a column for where I am leaning towards today - it may change by the time I fill out the ballet.  The lens I share/vote from, is in this post above.  I want to be able to safely take my children to the playground.  I do not want to worry about my family's safety.  I want to see the active stewardship of our city - by the City Council and everyone in the community.  I found and like this resource that seems to easily list the data on all the candidates here.  

Another great tool to help you figure out who you want to vote for is Align Vote.  Here's the link. 

Here's my spreadsheet, along with my thoughts:

My current vote-leanings and thoughts:

• King County Prop 1: Parks, Recreation, Trails and Open Space Levy - Approve, even though I do not trust that we have "stewardship" of these funds happening.
• Port of Seattle Commissioner Pos 2 - Sam Cho
• Port of Seattle Commissioner Pos 5 - Fred Felleman
• Seattle City Council District 1 - Philip Tavel.  I personally believe that Lisa Herbold has not, and still does not demonstrate stewardship. I like Phil's talk of being equitable and effective.
• Seattle City Council District 2 - Ari Hoffman.  This is the only candidate that has actively and proactively demonstrated he has the discipline and stewardship I want in our city council.  He's got admirable grit, too - for literally having been picked on, and targeted in his campaigning.  I respect his tenacity and perseverance.  Resilience.  Mark Solomon, seemingly is a great candidate (in theory) - my spidey senses pick up that he's tired and not hungry enough to do the due diligence it takes to do the job thoughtfully.  Reminds me a little too much of Bruce Harrell (who I like as a person, and his prior service years.  He's tired and hence, retiring.).
• Seattle City Council District 3 - Pat Murakami.  Pragmatic.  Thoughtful responses who has a chance at looking at the community holistically from all sides.  Ami Nguyen and Eagan Orion seem great too - I am worried that their experience puts a heavy bias on them.  When I was doing my research to potentially run, I heard Ami was also pregnant like myself.  If so, huge props to her and her family for stepping up and actually running.
• Seattle City Council District 4 - Alec Pederson.  I appreciate that he cares about accountability.  I care about Stewardship.  I agree with Shaun Scott, that the taxes we currently have are very regressive.  It's true.  
• Seattle City Council District 5 - Ann Davison Sattler.  Caring about children, and low-income children wins my vote.  Society's top priority should be protecting our most innocent, future.
• Seattle City Council District 6 - Jay Fathi.  A collaborative approach that's about solving and delivering makes sound pragmatic sense.
• Seattle City Council District 7 - James Donaldson. I like his answer most, "Seattle birthed many of the greatest innovations, ground-breaking discoveries, and some of the largest companies, yet cannot meet basic civic needs."  I also like the idea of Jim Pugel.  His experience as a police chief and concerns about public safety.  Public safety is my top concern.  I like Michael George, too because his work experience matches up with, "Balancing inclusivity with neighborhood livability".    
• Seattle Proposition 1 Public Library Levy - Approve, even though I do not trust that we have "stewardship" of these funds happening.

There it is.  You may strongly disagree or agree with my votes or thoughts.  Always happy to chat and learn more - hopefully, via a mutually respectful conversation.  

​--Arry