Election ’08: Mayor confirms he’s voting “no” on Parks Prop 2

Just posted by the P-I. Not a big surprise since he opposed putting it on the ballot at all, but given his role in recent West Seattle park dedications, like Orchard Street Ravine, still notable he’s publicly declared he’s voting no on the parks levy (text). We have reported previously on West Seattle projects included in the measure (and on its path to the ballot); the easiest-to-navigate list is the map on this page of the pro-levy site. (You can also find a text list, broken out by region, here.)

acemotel October 22, 2008 (11:11 pm)

It would be a real benefit to this city if the mayor and city council could work together cooperatively instead of opposing each other at every turn. Sometimes they take positions just to spite each other. Steinbrueck was one of the worst offenders when he was on the council but the culture continues even after his departure.

All are equally culpable. We expect our public servants to work well together. It’s a principle of good management to prioritize teamwork, efficiency and effectiveness. As it is, we’re mired in the competition between the council and the executive. Good sense flies out the window. Effectiveness = F, Efficiency = F. Opinions we can respect = 0.

JanS October 23, 2008 (2:58 am)

perhaps it’s time to replace the executive, and see some new faces on the council. Or maybe change the way the city is governed…because what we have right now certainly isn’t working for the people who live in the city. And they wonder why we’re so damned cynical.

Westwood Resident October 23, 2008 (8:13 am)

I wonder if anyone has REALLY looked at the measure that will increase our taxes?

Here they are

1. $145.5 Million for Parks
2. $75 Million for Pike Place Market
3. $18 Billion for Prop. 1

Can anyone here do the math and come up with just how much we will pay if all three pass?
Oh sure we can look and those that support those measures ONLY point out what that measure will increase your taxes by.
Just like in the PI…
The levy would cost the owner of a $450,000 home about $82 a year for six years.
But that doesn’t include the increases we will pay for everything we buy, because as we all know tax increases (no matter what) are passed on to the consumer.
I agree; it IS time for a WHOLESALE change in City Gov’t. They, and esp, Nickles BLEW a chance to take the lead in the “Nicklesville” fiasco.
Joe Connely said it well yesterday. We are TIRED of being taxed!!!
WR

greymatter October 23, 2008 (10:40 am)

It really is unfortunate that the mayor isn’t making equitable community improvements to all of Seattle’s neighborhoods a priority.

The parks levy ensures our growth and increase in density is done responsibly with concurrent investment in green spaces right where the growth is happening. West Seattle is a prime example, and that’s why it is targeted for the following projects:

– Delridge Playfield
– West Duwamish Trail
– West Seattle Reservoir Lid
– Marra-Desimone Farm
– Georgetown Playfield and Wading Pool
– Roxhill Playground and Skatespot
– Camp Long
– Myrtle Reservoir Skatedot
– Fairmount Playground
– Acquisition funds targeted for Morgan Junction, W Seattle Junction, Westward-Highland, Beach Drive.
– Green Space Acquisition funds for Arroyos Natural Area, E Duwamish, W Duwamish, and Duwamish Head
– Community Garden funds for West Seattle, too.

You might try reading the Seattle Times article today which is more about substance and less about the same political name-calling mentioned above in previous posts.

WSB October 23, 2008 (10:47 am)

Just for the record, we have published plenty of substance about this issue – we were first to do a West Seattle-specific breakout, while the levy was still being worked on.
https://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=8309
For the purposes of this particular post today, which was merely to note the mayor’s public declaration, the link that’s at the end of our post goes directly to the list from the levy proponents’ website — also where the Times article points FWIW — which shows all the projects, citywide. We also, noted, however, the fact that Delridge Playfield improvements are both in the levy and in the mayor’s proposed budget, which was presented after the levy had made the ballot:
https://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=10871

-TR

john nuler October 23, 2008 (11:02 am)

Maybe the Mayor at the opening noticed how Parks Dept. managed to spend more than $300,000 on the Orchard Street Ravine. Three hundred thousand gone while relying heavily on volunteers to do the work. Parks Dept.’s admitted problems and mis-management of this project should be evident to anyone who visits – $300,000! Check it out.

KT October 23, 2008 (11:45 am)

This is the kind of things that gets me going…..

-Acquisition funds targeted for Morgan Junction, W Seattle Junction, Westward-Highland, Beach Drive.
– Green Space Acquisition funds for Arroyos Natural Area, E Duwamish, W Duwamish, and Duwamish Head

Because what that means is purchase of land to sit neglected and fenced off until either the next Parks Levy Vote or the community is shaken down with fundraiser to make it a real park space. Look around you at the long delayed and unfinished projects from the last levy vote.

MAS October 23, 2008 (12:18 pm)

Our mayor voting against this means I need to go back and look at the coverage to determined what I missed before. If he’s against it, there must be something truly redeeming that I missed before. I can’t imagine actually agreeing with him on something.

dras October 23, 2008 (2:52 pm)

I am voting NO also, not because of the mayor, but because it is a bad proposal with no accoumntability from the park dept. Most of the money is not going to specific projects. This is like giving someone a blank check! The dept has not finished what they started with the first levy. If you do not believe me see Joel Connelly in the Seattle P I.

J October 23, 2008 (3:13 pm)

Westwood Resident: Actually, some of us are tired of not being taxed enough!

Heresy, I know, these days when the conservatives have convinced everybody that taxes are a bad thing. Not that I’m pleased with everything my tax dollars go to, still…

When we spend our money collectively (it’s called taxes) we can spend it more effectively. I’m tired of there not being enough money for things we can buy together, but cost too much for us to buy each individually–like libraries, help for the homeless, parks, transit systems, healthcare…. It’s very expensive to pay for all of these things by yourself!

More taxes, please! Strangely enough, it saves us money!

Westwood Resident October 23, 2008 (9:57 pm)

I agree to a point.
Taxes, if spent EFFECTIVLY do a lot of good. But this “Mayor” and his city council, the county gov’t and the state legislature have abused the right to spend our tax money.
And DON’T get me started on the Federal level – that is a whole ‘nother story.
The “Queen” gave away a revenu stream that EVERY other state that has Indian Casinos has. That amounted to HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS that COULD have been coming into the State coffers. While INCREASING the state budget over 33%. She has increased State spending over $35 BILLION in 4 YEARS.
Nickles has spent MILLIONS of dollars on NOTHING – how many studies did he perform on the viaduct?
Now we have over 80 cuts in personel at the King County Shariffs office because of the MASSIVE over-spending that Sims and his cronies did. Does he think that the criminals are going to stop commiting crime because of fewer officers on the street.
IMO, we give ENOUGH in taxes. I am not a big proponent of social programs, although I do see the need for some.IT IS TIME TO GET PEOPLE IN LOCAL, COUNTY and STATE GOV’T THAT KNOW HOW TO USE THIS FINITE SOURCE WISELY!!!!
WR

Westwood Resident October 23, 2008 (9:59 pm)

One more thing J…
If you feel you don’t pay enough in taxes, you can ALWAYS send MORE money to Greg, Ron and Chris than they ask for.
Some of us feel we are taxed TOO MUCH with VERY LITTLE to show for it.
WR

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