Though the primary election is officially one month from Saturday, voting begins in as little as two weeks – it’s an all-mail election, and ballots go out on July 30th. Starting tonight, WSB takes a closeup look at the Seattle City Council races and how several key West Seattle issues figure into them. Veteran journalist Kathy Mulady sets the stage, right before her first candidate report:

Two of Seattle’s longest-serving city councilmembers are giving up their seats. Jan Drago is running for mayor, and Richard McIver is retiring. The vacancies have opened up crowded contests, with 11 candidates running for the two seats.

Two other seats are also up for election, those held by Council President Richard Conlin and Councilmember Nick Licata. Both men are fighting to keep their positions.

In all, you will see 14 city council candidates on the primary ballot (with only one challenger, Conlin advances automatically to the November general election). In the days/weeks ahead, we’ll try to help you make a little sense of it all, at least in regard to West Seattle issues – like growth, and the economy.

–How do we preserve the hometown feel of West Seattle, and still bring new jobs here so people don’t have to commute?

–With more people comes more traffic – just as plans are laid to tear down the Alaskan Way Viaduct and replace it with a deep-bored tunnel. Should West Seattle have better bus service, or even a streetcar line like South Lake Union?

–And there are still lingering questions about plans for a new jail – does the city really need its own jail, and where would it be built? West Seattle is still officially a possible site – should it be?

We asked the candidates those questions and more. Check back here during the coming days to see what they say and ask your own questions. We have asked candidates to watch WSB and respond to questions asked by readers when they have a chance.

SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL, POSITION 8: ROBERT ROSENCRANTZ

By Kathy Mulady
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Robert Rosencrantz has a theory about giving up – “don’t.” He also knows hard work pays off, and that the easy way often isn’t the best way. With those life lessons well ensconced, Rosencrantz, a 53-year-old Montlake resident, is making his third run for a Seattle City Council< seat.

Although his early life was spent on crutches, Rosencrantz went on to become a race-walker and runner. While in high school, he started sweeping and doing minor maintenance at an apartment building to save money for college. Now Rosencrantz owns four apartment buildings with his wife.

Family, jobs, housing, community, and opportunity are his priorities. He has volunteered on dozens of community groups. Seattle citizens deserve a strong city council, he says, “a council that’s the people’s voice and not the mayor’s echo.”

Rosencrantz still runs; for nine years he has been part of a group that rises at 7 a.m. on Saturdays. His favorite place in West Seattle is Lincoln Park, where the group dashes across the trails, scales stairs from beach to park, and soaks up the water view.

“I’m not very good at relaxing, being near the water at Lincoln Park, is as close to relaxed as I get.”

Q: How do you perceive West Seattle’s transportation challenges, and what can be done to solve them?

ROSENCRANTZ: One of the flashpoints for the bored-tunnel viaduct replacement is who pays for the Seattle portion. It is a state road. I have proposed those who benefit the most from the opening of the waterfront, the property and business owners in the central business district should bear some of the cost. The response I hear has been, “that’s fair.” A lot of transit money will be in play during the viaduct reconstruction. A portion of that has to go to West Seattle, which is clearly more affected by the construction than any other community. We have to make sure West Seattle doesn’t end up becoming an island.

Q: A massive amount of development is planned in West Seattle. How do we keep the hometown feel, but also bring some jobs here so everyone doesn’t have to commute?

ROSENCRANTZ: My highest priority is to build jobs and the economy. We are entering the age of the second industrial revolution. There will be a huge transformation. Seattle has to have a mindset that it is going to compete every day for these jobs. West Seattle is well-positioned to benefit; residents would have the shortest commutes, and real-estate values will follow. You can throw a rock and touch industrial land all around West Seattle. We have learned from Boeing that it is critical to keep the manufacturing local. It just works better to have it all in one place.

Q: The jail issue touches many neighborhoods. What should we do? Is West Seattle the right place for a jail?

ROSENCRANTZ: The real cost of a proposed jail isn’t just the capital cost — (it’s) also the perpetual operating costs that will go up faster and faster. There is a strong tendency to underbudget for operating costs. Public safety has to be the highest priority. There is a significant amount of money the city can put on the table for space in the King County Jail. We will also have to find some alternatives to incarceration for people. Many in jail are homeless, and it provides a safe place out of the elements. If we can work to end homelessness, help people achieve self-sufficiency and find housing, they are less likely to end up in jail.

Rosencrantz’s website is at robertrosencrantz.com. He is one of two candidates in the Position 8 race endorsed by West Seattle’s biggest political group, the 34th District Democrats. Kathy Mulady’s profile of the group’s other Position 8 endorsee, David Miller, will be published on WSB tomorrow. Find our archived coverage of all political races and issues here, newest to oldest.