Arturo Robles

Published July 24, 2015 – video interview below

“I am a person who wants to make a difference in people’s lives, and I think this is a way of making a difference.” That’s why Arturo Robles, a 67-year-old High Point resident who works in counseling, got into the race.

FIRST WSB REPORT ON HIS CANDIDACY: When he filed, on May 11th

HIS BIG IDEA: Two years of free community college for everyone.

ABOUT ALL THOSE LEVIES: Robles thinks government “needs to be a little more creative” before continuing to send levies to the ballot. Asked to elaborate, he says zero-based and performance-based budgeting could help with efficiency.

WILL HE VOTE FOR ‘MOVE SEATTLE’? Yes.

HOMELESSNESS: “Do we have an endgame where we can provide some permanent housing for these folks? I don’t think we do. … I don’t think local government as a solution for that.”

ABOUT SOUTH PARK: “There’s been a conscious policy [by local government] to keep it the way it is, undeveloped, pollution (problems) …” In terms of economic development, “It should at least have a Starbucks.”

A BIG CONCERN: Caring for seniors. He doesn’t think the needs of this growing sector of the population are getting enough attention.

HOW HE ENDED UP IN WEST SEATTLE: He told WSB he came to the U.S. from Mexico when he was 25 and spent years in the Midwest, including Chicago, Omaha, Wichita, and Kansas City; he came to Seattle in 2011 at the urging of his daughter. He works in social services and is a former teacher.

WHY VOTE FOR HIM? “You like the status quo? You like things the way they are? Vote for (the candidates with local-government ties).” If not, he advises, vote for him.

SEE OUR INTERVIEW: We started with the question of why he’s running: