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2009 Mayoral Election

Started 3 years ago by trensuela
Latest reply from JoB

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trensuela
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Anyone have any info on next years mayoral election? I, for one, am really looking forward to getting rid of dough boy as mayor.

Posted 3 years ago #
HunterG
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Don't have any info, but after this snow blast, with almost no public relief action coming down from the mayor - I wont be voting for him again!

Posted 3 years ago #
Magpie
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Who is going to run against him? Probably someone I already voted against as a previous city council member? I already plan on voting against all incumbent city council members again. I would love to have someone in office who actually cared about our little peninsula..yes I know the Mayor and Tom Rasmussen live here, but really a surface option for the viaduct?

Posted 3 years ago #
ToddinWestwood
Member Profile

adios Mayor McCheese.
See how fast you get re-elected after you give South Lake Union to one of the worlds richest men.
and after you spend 50.5 Million on bulding him a choo-choo train (SLUT) but yet, there is no money to maintain parks and build skate parks.

See how fast you get re-elected after you ticket some home ownner for trimming his trees while the city streets are crumbling.

See how fast you get re-elected for banning plastic bags while there is a gang war going on in the streets of Seattle.

Mr. Mayor, please save yourself the embaressment, and dont run again, it wont be pretty.

The people of Seattle have spoken.

Posted 3 years ago #
Magpie
Member Profile

Someone? Anyone? I think we are all thirsting for some true leadership. Hey, how about a raise for our
"public servants"..oh, wait, didn't they just get one? We are 20% of the vote in Seattle, let's make it count next time.

Posted 3 years ago #
littlebrowndog
Member Profile

I have consistently gone for a write-in candidate---my dog. Anybody want his name so that you can vote for him also?

Seriously, I truly want a viable alternative to vote for. Those of us who were politically activated at the local level due to our interest in presidential candidates should be working with our parties' leaderships to put up a strong option.

Posted 3 years ago #
trensuela
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I think it would be nice to see a repeat of 2001 when Paul Schell didn't even win the primary.

Posted 3 years ago #
MrJT
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I want Maria-Goodlowe Johnson for Mayor.

Posted 3 years ago #
JenV
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TR for Mayor! although, then the rest of Seattle would complain about West Seattle's preferential treatment..let's secede!

Posted 3 years ago #
WSB
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No politics for us. I am very interested, seriously, in who people think would make a good mayor. Various possible candidates have been mentioned, but never mind that - who would you like to see do the job? Do any of our local electeds impress you? Or community leaders? Someone you saw keynote a meeting or lunch or dinner? Someone who runs a notable local company WELL and might be able to run a city?

Hizzoner had quite nominal opposition in 2005 and won landslide re-election. Did you like what he did the first four years but not the second four? I've covered politics for a long time and am sincerely curious about what people are thinking.

Posted 3 years ago #
JenV
Member Profile

ok, but can we still secede? ;)

Posted 3 years ago #
mrhineh
Member Profile

Maybe we need to look to the media again for a candidate. Royer was a long time ago and got the ball rolling the following mayors have botched. Carlson/Shramm fall a little too far from the middle for majority tastes. Since none of the major media moguls have tipped their hands, they would certainly have a greater presence out of the gate. County, City and Port government sures leaves a lot to be desired.

Posted 3 years ago #
Julie
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He lost my vote forever when he reneged on support for the monorail.

Posted 3 years ago #
B-squared
Member Profile

He isn't getting my vote either. do you think he goes out of his way to make sure west seattle doesn't get any preferential treatment? i sure looks that way.
maybe we can nominate JP Patches. better than the clown we have now!

Posted 3 years ago #
JoB
Member Profile

Mt JT.. who is Maria-Goodlowe Johnson and why do you want her for mayor?

Posted 3 years ago #
trensuela
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B-squared, you cat looks capable....I would vote for him/her over Nickels

Posted 3 years ago #
celeste17
Member Profile

JoB, Maria-Goodlowe Johnson is the School Superindent (I think) I know she is connected with Seattle Public Schools. I would like to see Joe McDermott as Mayor. He has been a state senator since 2007 (appointed) and before that he had been a State Representative. He lives in West Seattle.

Posted 3 years ago #
rampinrodney
Member Profile

I will vote again for Mayor Nickels. I believe he is a good mayor. I feel the SDOT has done a decent job considering the length of the cold/snow streak.

Seattle is unique. It is not Omaha or Fargo. Does Southern California have 50 times more fire trucks available than usually necessary when the devastating fires hit every couple of years?

I have been able to get around as needed with FWD and studded snow tires.

It is fun to see the finger pointing and listen to the whining, however.

Posted 3 years ago #
B-squared
Member Profile

Trensuela - you can vote for my cat (Southwest Eddy, named after the street i live on). he is more than capable.

rampinrodney - not voting for nickels (or any of the knobs on city council) is about Sooo many more things than the snow/ice response. i actually have no complaints there. i wish it was only about that!

Posted 3 years ago #
MrJT
Member Profile

JoB - celeste17 answered who.. She just seems like a real "get the right thing done" with the least amount of politics type of leader, reminds me a lot of John Sandifer, the former Superintendant. Joe McDermott would be a great choice also.

Posted 3 years ago #
villagegreen
Member Profile

I'm not a fan of a lot of things Nickels has done, but don't you think the tunnel option to replace the Viaduct would have been dead a long time ago if we didn't have someone from WS as mayor. The surface street option seemed to have a lot of momentum at one point and Nickels at least stood by his tunnel preference.

I think you'd be surprised how badly WS could get screwed if someone from say Ravenna was elected. We need someone from the Southside or at least someone on the West side of the city who understands this entire side of the city is being left out in the cold when it comes to transit options.

Posted 3 years ago #
villagegreen
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Oh, and if the surface option gets approved I'm all for seceding!!!

Posted 3 years ago #
rampinrodney
Member Profile

villagegreen:

Yes, that is an absolutely great, no, brilliant, idea!

Posted 3 years ago #
Magpie
Member Profile

What ever happened to Chip Marshall and the Seattle 7? (yeah, I know he wasn't from West Seattle) Who are the real West Seattle Activists now? I truly don't have a clue, but maybe we could find someone to write in..afterall, we are a fifth of the population.

Posted 3 years ago #
ToddinWestwood
Member Profile

I will be heading up the newly formed W.S.L.F. West Seattle Liberation Front.
Not to be confused with the W.S.F.L. (West Seattle Freedom League)

Meetings will be held at the secret location at the same time as usual.

Posted 3 years ago #
wingme
Member Profile

i'll be there. but i forgot the secret handshake. the latest buzz re the mayor's race is that Sidran wants another go at it. my mantra was "any D but McCheez" but now i've had to add another name. there's gotta be someone.

Posted 3 years ago #
Trisket
Member Profile

Yes, most certainly Mayor Nickels' time is up.

But he is just an annoying little buzzing insect. Real change will happen when we replace the long standing council members. Drago has chewed her way as chair of several committees over the last 14 years on the council... She's been the Transportaion committee chair for a couple of years now... For all the good it was worth.

Although she did oppose the plastic bag tax, she careful in selecting her battles (especially on issues affecting big-business; which she carries around in her back pocket)... like Ted Stevens...She needs to go!

Richard Conlin, a 10 year veteran of the council carried the torch for the bag tax.... He needs to go too!

Nickels' isn't up for re-election for another couple of years, but both Drago and Conlin appointments expire next year.

Posted 3 years ago #
Magpie
Member Profile

I haven't voted for an incumbant city council member in a very long time. As in most elections, I hardly ever vote for the winning candidate, but maybe my streak will be over in the next round of city council elections.

Posted 3 years ago #
WSB
Member Profile

No, actually the mayor is up for re-election in 2009, along with four council members: Richard Conlin, Jan Drago, Nick Licata, Richard McIver (who has indicated he will NOT run again).

The mayor has long since announced he's running for Term 3 (I reconfirmed it in a short Election Day interview at his polling place last month, but you can also take note on his website
http://gregnickels.com )

Posted 3 years ago #
ToddinWestwood
Member Profile

This round of stupidity shall end NOW!

I feel like Clark Griswald in Christmas Vacation. I want to go over and grab Hizzoner and make him take the 54 downtown, drive from Westwood to Admiral and make him stand in the Junction pushing cars out of the snow.

Posted 3 years ago #
MrJT
Member Profile

Todd - Stop and pick up Grace Crunican (SDOT Director)on the way shes right in his 'hood

Posted 3 years ago #
Concerned Citizen
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Joe McDermott is a good guy - don't know if he'd really want the job though and we do still need him at the state level too.

Anyone remember Charlie Chong? His own mayoral candidacies were largely centered around the city's abysmal snow response back in '96. But he's not around anymore, and I can't think of any other WS activist-curmudgeons.

I'd keep Nick Licata on Council myself. I like Tom Rasmussen but am pretty unhappy with the street surface viaduct option. Yet I'd probably still keep Tom, too largely for his stace on social issues. And Richard Conlin gets some of my favor at times.

The rest ... especially Jan Drago ... bye bye!

Posted 3 years ago #
LJK
Member Profile

What about Nick Licata? He's the only one of them who seems to have any common sense. Opposes the current Mercer mess plans (tons of money, doesn't solve the traffic problem but makes it look nice for Paul Allen), opposes Drago's idiotic streetcar network (tons of money, all the disadvantages of a bus PLUS none of the flexibility, but looks cute), etc.

Posted 3 years ago #
ToddinWestwood
Member Profile

Maybe if there is a bright spot of this snow storm, it is working its way to parallel the Great 1979 Chicago Snow Storm , where the city and mayor Michael Bilandic's complete inaction on snow removal, the mayor lost the next election to an almost unheard of member of his own cabinet.

From Wikipedia:
"Shortly before the end of his administration, a blizzard struck Chicago and effectively closed down the city. The city's slow response to the debilitating storm was blamed on Bilandic's inaction. He lost the primary election to Jane Byrne, a disgruntled former member of his Cabinet, who went on to succeed Bilandic. Many political observers saw Bilandic's defeat as indicative of the end of Chicago's Democratic machine. In fact, a public official who is defeated due to perceived failure to respond to a snowstorm is said to be Bilandicked."

Posted 3 years ago #
MrJT
Member Profile

Todd - Hopefully we can paste that into Word and do a find/replace.

Posted 3 years ago #
Concerned Citizen
Member Profile

What's Nick Licata's thoughts about how to handle the snow and the roads?

Posted 3 years ago #
trensuela
Member Profile

Todd...I survived the blizzard of '79 in Chicago....I was 9, it was a good time for a kid.

As far as Bilandic's replacement, Jane Byrne...she didn't last so long..I remember when she staged this whole moving into Cabrini Green thing...she was a one termer.

Lets just hope that we get someone competent to replace Dough Boy next year as between him and Paul Schell this city has gone far too long withouth competent leadership.

Posted 3 years ago #
kathy
Member Profile

I don't get too interested/involved in local politics, but I guess it takes a tipping point like the experience we've all had in dealing with the lousy snow removal, lack of public transportation and all the resulting consequences (job issues, missed vacations and holiday package delivery, etc etc) to hit home and make me think that the status quo is no longer good enough. I will be looking for a change!!

Posted 3 years ago #
thee
Member Profile

Mike. Holmgren.

Posted 3 years ago #
TammiWS
Member Profile

I will too. This is pathetic. The roads are a mess, walking is treacherous whether its been shoveled or not, no shovels to be found, no chains to be found, limited buses, cabs hard to find, shuttle cant make it over here...

What the hell would we do if a REAL emergency occured in this City.

I'm all for saving the environment but not using salt because we want to save streams and fish while hundreds of thousands of people are stuck, missing work, losing vacation time, etc.. is a joke.

And, the next thing to look forward to is flooding, in my old 1913 basement, when this all melts.

I wonder how the Mayor is getting in and out of West Seattle???

Enough said. I'm having a Baileys coffee now! :)

Happy Holidays everyone!

Posted 3 years ago #
Gina
Member Profile

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I nominate Sluggy for 2009?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSXLl8ipg0w

Posted 3 years ago #
Concerned Citizen
Member Profile

My nightmare scenario is the power going out from the weight of the ice and snow, and being stuck without heat and no even moderately reasonable way to get out to warmth safely.

Surely emergency planners at the City have thought of this scenario? Not everyone lives near a community center or school or other shelter.

Not everyone can AFFORD generators ... or I'd have one. I'm lucky to have a car, at least.

Posted 3 years ago #
charlabob
Member Profile

People get the government they deserve. We never elected Charlie Chong mayor, and he would have made a huge positive difference, so I'm not convinced we'll recognize a chance when we see it. Hell, Charlie even found snow plow blades on his own. :-)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Chong

Posted 3 years ago #
kathy
Member Profile

I agree - we get the government we deserve. So how do we organize to make a change? Guess we need to find a candidate. Some of the people mentioned here that are already on the city council are also complicit in city government's failure to address this emergency. Any new ideas?

Posted 3 years ago #
kathy
Member Profile

Just saw that mayor will address city concerns today at 2 pm!

Posted 3 years ago #
wingme
Member Profile

Cliff Mass for mayor!

Posted 3 years ago #
scooby-snax
Member Profile

I'm going with J.P. Patches...OR ANYONE but wife beating Tim Ceis!

Posted 3 years ago #
ivaronalki
Member Profile

YEAH!

Posted 3 years ago #
HMC Rich
Member Profile

This is interesting. Mayor Nickels has kept the city in the black (with the help of propositions outside the regular budget) whereas King County, Port of Seattle, and the State of Washington are running in the red or will have to make massive cuts.

If your complaining about the snow removal well...just goes to show you government can't do everything so buck up and quit whining. OK, I don't like it either. Anyway, help those who need it and help yourself.

This city blew it when Charlie Chong wasn't elected.

I don't really know too much about the local politicians these days. Let Mrs, Goodloe-Johnson fix the schools first. If she does that then maybe she will be a good mayor for the future.

I would prefer a conservative like Dino Rossi or Mike McGavick. Since I do not believe they live here, I can throw out a few names just for fun.

Paul Allen - He built transit (without a vote as far as I know). He brings us entertainment - Seahawks, Sounders, EMP, Sci-Fi Museum. He can move the Trailblazers Here to replace the departed Sonics. And If the city goes broke he can bail it out.

Gary Locke. I don't know if he lives here either but he has some experience in Government,

Robert Mak. I don't know him but I think he understands our city fairly well. His reporting was excellent.

I did like the Mike Holmgren reference but I think he is going to end up in San Fran.

As I finish writing this I realize how ignorant I am about our local politicians. I need to delve into this more deeply.

Posted 3 years ago #
CB
Member Profile

I can't say this clearly enough: If you want to have an affect, get involved in your local community organizations. There you'll find out what's going on that that is affecting YOU in ways you don't always see until too late. Land use, transportation and parking policies, open space requirements, all those issues show up for discussion at the Alki, Admiral, Alaska (JUNO), Morgan, Fauntleroy, Highland Park, Delridge, Pigeon Point etc etc community organization meetings. There you can find out what the City departments (read "at Mayorial direction") and City Councilmembers are setting as practice and policy. See the sidebar on the Blog here, all the groups are listed down at the bottom, join in on the discussion. Motto for 2009 "You can't make a difference from your armchair!"

Posted 3 years ago #