Dom’s going to have a longer post in a minute (with photos— including, I’m told, one of Emily Heffter and her famous purse straps) but here are a few observations from last night’s awesome Stranger/Washington Bus meet-n-greet with the candidates at Moe Bar:
Nick Licata’s campaign manager, Andrew Lewis, told me that an initiative to put district elections on the ballot is on hold until at least 2011 because of the difficulty of raising as many signatures as they would need to put districts on the 2009 ballot. Under the latest proposal, five members of the city council would be elected from districts, and four would be elected at large—the idea being that every voter would be able to vote for a majority of the council in every election. Changing the format of city elections requires amending the city charter, which requires more signatures than an ordinary citizen initiative—around 26,000, or 15 percent of the people who voted in the last city election. Today, consultant John Wyble (formerly of Moxie Media), who’s working on that campaign, told me that to reach that threshold, “we’d need either a boatload of volunteers, and districts isn’t the type of thing that has a natural base of volunteers, or we have to raise some money.” Signatures typically cost between $1.50 and $2.00 a pop.
King County Executive candidate Larry Phillips, looking a little out of place in a suit and tie instead of the orange-and-green traffic vests worn by the city council candidates, showed up halfway through to gladhand the crowd. Not present was Phillips’s opponent Dow Constantine, who was busy at his own event at the Crocodile downtown. “You’re not going to THAT thing, are you?” Phillips asked me. (I didn’t—Josh did.) More seriously, Phillips also said that it looks like the state isn’t going to approve new funding sources for county health and human services programs that the county council placed in a “lifeboat” last year. If the county doesn’t come up with a new way of funding those programs, which include domestic violence programs, drug treatment, public health clinics, and family planning services, they could be eliminated starting this summer.
Sally Bagshaw is the new Jan Drago. The evidence: She’s supported by downtown business folks, she’s surrounded by smart young women who look fresh out of business school (her campaign manager met her through the Seattle Chamber), and, um, she’s running for Drago’s seat. You couldn’t ask for a better contrast in this race: Social-justice organizer David Bloom, with his background working for the Church Council and the Seattle Displacement Coalition, couldn’t be more different than Bagshaw. Bagshaw’s consultant is Christian Sinderman; John Wyble, formerly of Moxie Media, is working with Bloom.
Of all the candidates in attendance at Moe Bar last night, only one—Jordan Royer, running for Richard McIver’s old seat—raised his hand when Washington Bus organizer Toby Crittendon asked how many people in the crowd were monthly Washington Bus members. You can find out more about the Bus and become a monthly contributor here
Maybe he’s buying some conscience? Jordan Royer is also a lobbyist for the Pacific Marine Shippers Association — the industry group that blocks environmental and labor initiatives. Royer likes to say “voluntary measures” work better. PMSA and their buddies at SSA were instrumental in the Port of Seattle’s $7 million give away to terminal operators last week under the facade of a clean air plan.
Nice roundup! Remember, Bloom is different “from” Bagshaw, not “than” her.
A – clarification… all the candidates running for City Council – save two- have become monthly members of the Bus. Jessie and Sally did so without so much as being asked. If we get the vote – they gotta open up the wallet. We’ll get a confirmation on that.
I like Sally Bagshaw. And Jessie Israel. Marty (can’t think of his last name) was hilarious, and his answers were very candid. All in all, it was an amazing night.
PS. One of the candidates running owns the freakin rosebud!
Which is AWESOME!
So much fun last night! I got to actually corner some candidates about the 12th Ave development plans – never thought that would happen so easily. The Bus people have some pictures on their blog already http://washingtonbus.wordpress.com/2009/…
It’s not difficult to be the new Jan Drago.
Because she’s old, you see.
Follow along kid, you gotta lot to learn here.
ECB, the reason for your enmity toward Emily Heffter and implicit obsequity toward the City Council is transparent.
I was impressed with both Sally and Jessie, the ONLY TWO female candidates. Seriously, why don’t we have more women interested in positions like this?
Holy cow, I would charge WAY more for signatures than $2.
Maybe something in the $8-10 range.
Having dealings with a rude and surly Jordan Royer at City Hall – I would not vote for him for dog catcher.
Purse straps>wine thief
Sally and Jessie were the highlights of my night. What fun!
David Bloom is sorely needed on the council – he is smart – progressive and has great experience running the Church Council for years.
He is my favorite – no glam, just solid substance, and smart at city politics and that skill will make him a leader.
If you think there are too many leaders on the council, you have not been paying attention.
Sheep mostly, and that is why the mayor tells them what to do and they do it.
Past time for a leader, out of the box.
I’m still waiting for the pics from the nude swimming.
Since I had to miss it.
So, Sally is running.
And Jesse.
Where’s Rafael?
Why no mention of David Miller? He seemed to be the smartest and best-informed of any candidate I spoke to.
Jessie and I absolutely had our hands up when Toby asked.
The work the Bus does is easy to support, plus they offered a cool T-shirt and stickers (I’m a sucker for stickers). I was pulling out the wallet when Thomas & Toby asked.
(Thanks, Doug, it was nice meeting and chatting with you. GREAT questions from everyone at the event. Best & most enjoyable grilling on the campaign trail yet. Can we do it again tomorrow, please?)
Sally Bagshaw and Jessie Israel are by far my favorites in the race. Two extremely smart women who are ready and able to lead. Did you know that if neither of these two women wins, we will only have 2 females on the council? 2 out of 9. Not a good record…
Bagshaw’s campaign manager is a hotty.
Andrew Lewis is a kid who probably took on more than he could deliver. Just hiring a consultant and thinking that’s the way to get an initiative on the ballot is the reason previous attempts at district based representation failed. This is Seattle, not Eyemanland.
For about the third time, this proposal looks foolish, unprofessional and like some wierd idea from outer space to the voters. Worse, no website anyone could find.
Want to change something in Seattle? Make the case, build the buzz, slog slog (sorry) to every community group you can. Then you can decide if it’s going to even have a chance because you will know how many people are on the ground. That process is how you shape your message, craft legislation and dispatch all those signature gatherers.
@20 – That is inappropriate.
Funny, I’d expect more analysis than “Sally is the new J.D.” Let’s see… they’re both women. Hmm. Oh, and because Sally can build broad coalitions and have sincere concern for neighborhoods (that would include Downtown/Belltown), that makes them equal? Sally is a great, local, progressive leader, and she deserves a very serious review.
I’ve known Sally for years, and this city for years, and we would serve ourselves well to get the REAL story on Sally Bagshaw and not merely a tabloid-esque statement that she is the new J.D. It simply ain’t so. I’ve also known David Bloom for years, and I like him a lot. So does Sally. They have more in common with one another than either does with J.D. I’d suggest a little more investigative reporting from E.B., whose analysis I so often respect and share.
Sally Bagshaw wants people to participate in their government and for their voices to be heard and respected. I like that.
And yes, she believes jobs and the economy are number one priorities, BUT she also wants Seattle to be environmentally sustainable, and for public safety to be a long term goal-not a quick fix. I like that too!
@14 – Fact check: David Bloom did not “run the Church Council for years” but instead worked for the Church Council for years. He was never the E.D. Now, that said, he did great work at the Church Council… no question… great guy, great heart, great mind… but he didn’t “run the Church Council” lest that one go down as a mistaken “fact.”
Rusty was energetic and folksy, reminds me of Jerry Brown. David Ginsberg heartstrings cry out for change on the Council. Miller & Royer are captured by downtown and special interests. Nick was iconoclastic. Great alternative to a candidates firing squad, err candidates forum.