Mayor Murray to make announcement on Alki this morning

Yes, for those who are asking, Mayor Murray‘s office has just confirmed (via an advisory e-mailed to news media including us) that he will “make an announcement at 10:30 this morning at Alki Beach.” What that announcement will be, lots of rumors, nothing official. It’s been a month since he was sued with allegations of sexually abusing minors decades ago. Since then, he has continued to insist he’ll stay in office and run for a second term; the official filing period isn’t until next week. Why Alki? The mayor has an affinity for this area, having lived here for a while in childhood, and also, he noted after his election in 2013 that he had the largest margin of victory in this area. We’ll be there for the announcement.

Neighbor May 9, 2017 (9:27 am)

His announcement is probably that he will not try for mayor again, at least I hope that is his announcement. We need someone else that will actually take action on the homeless situation, get parking written into new construction laws, and help get our city streets fixed!

North of Admiral May 9, 2017 (9:34 am)

He hasn’t tried to be Mayor since being elected so not much of a departure. I do like the rainbow crosswalks however.

West Seattle Hipster May 9, 2017 (9:37 am)

I hope the rumors are true.

JanS May 9, 2017 (9:48 am)

I don’t think he has much of a choice. While I don’t like him as a mayor, and think that his priorities are dismal, he has been convicted in the people’s court of law, and despite not having a real court of law conviction, the people of this city have deemed him guilty. No one could possibly win a mayoralty race with that on their head. We do need some new blood to deal with the the priorities in this city.

andy May 9, 2017 (9:51 am)

Hopefully, he’s through.

Troy May 9, 2017 (9:51 am)

I hope the rumors are true as well… Unfortunately, Seattle’s political climate promotes “tax the rich” attitudes via property tax and proposed sales tax. We cannot continue to address the homeless issue with pouring more money into services that only promote it. Clear the streets of all the RV’s along Harbor. Disgraceful politics!

WSB May 9, 2017 (10:09 am)

Just a note – we will be opening a separate story once this event begins – we’re here at the Bathhouse since the mayoral team advised early arrival, and many other media crews are here too. We’ll be posting text live; anyone interested in a video stream, I’m sure all the TV stations will be running it, if not live on the air, at least live online. – TR
West Seattle since 1979 May 9, 2017 (12:15 pm)

Seems like it’s more “tax the middle class and lower income people” right now! Our taxes are regressive. Maybe we need more “tax the rich”.

Orca May 9, 2017 (10:10 am)

A truly disgusting man. Hopfully he is through. The problem is the foolish voters will just elect someone who will continue the third world homeless encampments and feel good policies.

There is no hope….the end is near 😳

seaopgal May 9, 2017 (10:19 am)

He was such a great legislator, and I had high hopes for his mayoralty. He hasn’t been perfect, but has achieved enough to walk away with self-respect intact, if that’s his choice.

And I actually LOVE the rainbow crosswalks, which are, of course, simply a symbol of our city’s commitment to acceptance and diversity; they cost nothing and mean everything.

WSB May 9, 2017 (10:46 am)

We covered the announcement separately – including some video (and the full video after we get back to HQ and upload it) – here:

https://westseattleblog.com/2017/05/happening-now-mayors-announcement-alki-bathhouse/
Bubbasaurus May 9, 2017 (10:56 am)

The rainbow crosswalks cost us $66,000.

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/colorful-crosswalks-celebrate-gay-pride-in-seattle/
j May 9, 2017 (8:06 pm)

Yet the school kids on Roxbury had to scratch out their piano key sidewalk…

I believe the reason was because it didn’t fit the standards for sidewalks.

Shortly after Roxbury side walk was removed the $66k rainbow sidewalks (even further from the standard) was painted and allowed to stay.

Double standards!
- WSB May 9, 2017 (8:19 pm)
  
  Because people keep bringing up the crosswalks … The program is SDOT’s Community Crosswalks program, through the Neighborhood Matching Fund grants.
  
  Info about it is here.
  http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/CommunityCrosswalks.htm
  
  While West Seattle has some unique crosswalks – such as the ones by Lafayette/Hiawatha (installed a decade ago!) – they predate this program and we haven’t heard of anyone pursuing one recently. (If you have, please let us know!)
  - sam-c May 10, 2017 (9:13 am)
    
    https://westseattleblog.com/2015/07/a-little-paint-a-lot-of-safety-pigeon-points-new-street-mural/
    
    There was this one, but I guess it is different because it was funded and completed by neighbors.
    - WSB May 10, 2017 (9:27 am)
      
      I didn’t mention that one as it was a mural, not a crosswalk. BY a crosswalk, though.

Gene May 9, 2017 (11:22 am)

I love the ( idea of ) the rainbow crosswalks too-& if there was nothing else to spend $$ on I’d say do it- but there are so many other necessities that could be – should be –seen to first.

I have have never been so disappointed in a candidate I voted for- & had high hopes for . At the time I wanted McGinn out-& while I am glad Mayor Murray is not running this year- I VOW to look closely at each person running – go to debates- forums-town hall meetings -ask questions- read as much as I can about each candidate–to make the most informed decision possible. To take voting as a serious responsibility & not just a knee jerk reaction.

sadtaco May 9, 2017 (11:26 am)

He hasn’t been charged yet with any crimes; its all speculation at this time. I dont feel he has made for a good mayor, and that’s why I wouldn’t vote for him again, not because of any allegations against him.

Chuck May 9, 2017 (12:48 pm)

Give it time. Smoke, fire, all that.

Glad he’s gone. Hopefully the next mayor brings simple common sense and a backbone to the job. That we ever–for one moment!–had to sweat the idea that they would open our beautiful parks to the homeless was all I ever needed to know about this guy. Our city has turned to a cesspool under his watch. Fact.

Now he can sweat whatever past transgressions he has to deal with. I don’t believe it’s ALL made up.

As others stated in the other thread, I wish he’d just resigned today. He’s a lame duck waddling.
- Dave II May 9, 2017 (1:49 pm)
  
  Well said!
- Double Dub Resident May 9, 2017 (6:35 pm)
  
  Not to defend Murray because I can’t stand him, but one of the things he did do /say that I agreed with was that he was against opening the parks to the homeless. It was our moronic city council who tried to get this through
Sna May 9, 2017 (5:03 pm)

He can’t be charged with the crime. The statute of limitations has long run out.

Sorry, comment time is over.