VIDEO: Equity, sustainability, transportation, development Q’s for Council D-1 hopefuls in 2nd of this week’s 3 West Seattle forums

Big week of forums for the candidates hoping to represent West Seattle/South Park on behalf of its new City Council District 1 – including three in West Seattle on three consecutive nights. Last night, the second one drew a crowd to The Hall at Fauntleroy as the area’s largest political organization, the 34th District Democrats, devoted most of its regular meeting night to hearing D-1 hopefuls Shannon Braddock and Lisa Herbold answer questions. Above is our video of the event in its entirety; 34th Dems chair Marcee Stone-Vekich moderated, and read audience questions after three guest questioners quizzed the candidates on four topics: former State Rep. Velma Veloria on social justice/racial equity issues, Sustainable West Seattle‘s Stu Hennessey on sustainability issues, and your editor here on transportation and development issues. The forum was preceded by the 34 Dems’ Chris Porter presenting local nonprofits who each got to make a pitch (we live-tweeted that section).

Forum #3 is just a few hours away – presented by the Friends of the Seattle Public Library at the High Point Branch (35th & Raymond), moderated by us, 6:30 pm, all welcome, bring your questions!

out for a walk October 15, 2015 (8:52 pm)

Why do I feel like this is the “same old – same old” stuff we have heard for many of the past years? It’s a dismal choice!

milo_bloom October 16, 2015 (3:43 pm)

I attended this packed house of predominately upper-middle class conservative white people. Saying nothing about the two candidates here, but except for the word “Democrat” on the big sign in the back of the room I would have thought I was in the wrong place. Perhaps the 34th-D should consider a letter change.

Diane October 16, 2015 (5:06 pm)

milo_bloom; I was in the 2nd row, supporting the most progressive candidate for WS/SP, Lisa Herbold
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I wish I were “upper-middle class”; appearances can be deceptive; many of us in that room are very low-income; very low-income
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I will agree with you on 2 points; most in the room last night are far more conservative than me, so I can feel your pain on that one; and we could REALLY be doing a better job of diversity outreach; my friend Norman (who is black and was there that night) expressed interest last year in leading the diversity committee for this group; that could be a good start

milo_bloom October 17, 2015 (1:41 am)

Diane, I agree with you re: Herbold. And, I really didn’t want to dive into the candidates, but rather on the make-up of 34thD. I’m very surprised that a Dem LD isn’t outraged at the type of people supporting one of their endorsed candidates, and the amount of $$ coming into the district (The bottom of the barrel of Seattle moneyed interests — including the IEs). The group didn’t even seem phased (ok a few were — notice the word predominately). But, given the make-up of the room, I guess I’m not all that surprised after all.

How did the 34thD get taken over by Rs in D clothing?

marceestone October 23, 2015 (3:11 pm)

The only candidate endorsed by the 34th District Republicans this election was Good Space Guy for Port Commissioner. The organization is far from being taken over by republicans. Diane, I invite you to join our Diversity Committee or any other committee you might be interested in. Norman was asked to co-chair Diversity earlier this year but he hasn’t been available. There are very few people who do the work in this organization and we invite all to give us a hand. As far as how conservative you think the organization is, I couldn’t disagree with you more. But we are a big tent organization and we are all entitled to our opinions.

Chris Porter October 25, 2015 (12:41 pm)

” Out for a walk” commented that the choice is dismal and yet I am not sure that this person attended the meetings to vocalize concerns when these candidates were asking for the endorsement. The 34th LD Democrats is only as strong as the community the participates. So if you felt there were short comings of the candidates, then the meeting was and is the place to be vocal about it. I agree in that the event came across like a typical forum and not the debate I had hoped for. If we do this again- in the next election cycle, I hope to structure a debate… a real debate.

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