ELECTION 2021: 13 questions answered in West Seattle by 9 people who want to be Seattle’s next mayor

(WSB photo. From left – Lorena González, James Donaldson, Jessyn Farrell, Colleen Echohawk, Andrew Grant Houston, WSJA executive director Lora Radford, Lance Randall, Bruce Harrell, Casey Sixkiller, Don Rivers)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

When nine of the 15 candidates for Seattle mayor sat side by side for an hour and a half at noontime Saturday, it wasn’t just the only pre-primary forum devoted to West Seattleites’ questions – it was also their first in-person forum of the campaign. With days to go until voting starts, they had appeared in dozens of forums, but all online.

So though the questions were serious, it was almost a festive atmosphere, unlike the more-typical mood by the time campaigning gets down to the wire.

Bruce Harrell joked that he wore shorts in the Zoom-call spirit. Lance Randall handed out custom-labeled mini-bottles of hand sanitizer. Casey Sixkiller and Jessyn Farrell asked to borrow scratch paper, confessing they were out of practice for toting supplies to in-person events.

Along with those four, the forum at the Senior Center of West Seattle featured James Donaldson, Colleen Echohawk, Lorena González, Andrew Grant Houston, and Don Rivers. WSB co-presented it with the West Seattle Junction Association, which streamed it live on Instagram’s IGTV while we streamed to YouTube. Our videographer for the occasion, Edgar Riebe of West Seattle-based Captive Eye Media, also recorded it, and here’s the video, followed by our summary:

The recording begins with our first question (if you had been there in person, you would also have seen WSJA executive director Lora Radford welcome everyone, WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand explain his timekeeping plan – we allotted :45 for answers – and your editor present the land acknowledgment, which is why we then began with this question:

#1 – What would you do as Seattle mayor to support the Duwamish Tribe in their quest for federal recognition?

(Note that we are summarizing the answers, with any direct quotes bracketed by quotation marks. For the full answers, watch the video.)

Donaldson: He would “be an advocate for our Indigenous people.”

Echohawk: “The City of Seattle has a very complicated relationship with tribal governments” and the city already has government-to-government relationships with the Muckleshoot and Suquamish tribes. She has supported the Duwamish Tribe’s efforts, in her previous job as executive director of the Chief Seattle Club.

Farrell: “The mayor of Seattle needs to be supportive” of the tribe.

González: Says she has sat down with the Duwamish Tribe’s leadership and “they do want” the city’s help in their quest for recognition. and “I’d be ready to work with them on that effort.”

Harrell: Has “read a lot about” this and “it seems complicated.” He would “talk to all the tribal communities.”

Houston: “It is imperative that whoever leads this city” recognize the importance of Indigenous people’s “self-determination.”

Randall: Would continue the Duwamish Valley Action Plan.

Rivers: “I will work with them.”

Sixkiller: Props to West Seattleites for caring about this area’s original people. “We need to … focus on being partners and be sure the Duwamish are at the table” as programs are designed.

#2 – The Seattle Police Southwest Precinct has lost a third of its staff. What will you do as mayor to get it back to full staffing?

Echohawk: “I am committed to investing in community, to finding ways to support public safety, … I would be looking to do an audit” to determine the right level of staffing.

Farrell: It’s a problem that when talking about public safety, “we are leading it with staffing levels” instead of with community values. Too many POC do not feel safe; “we need to be funding those strategies” that lead to more safety.

González: “It’s not about the number of bodies” in the police force, “it’s about the quality of service.” Need to look at alternatives such as Community Service Officers.

Harrell: As we reimagine public safety, we need to look at response times. Three strategies (for police staffing): Pay, recognition “of the effective officers,” and ensuring officers have the ability “to create … to build trust.”

Houston: “We must acknowledge that the current policing system does not work and must invest in alternatives.” Police officers are leaving because we are enforcing accountability measures. Also they’re leaving because interim Chief Adrian Diaz took specialty unit officers and put them back on patrol, which was seen as a demotion. “That was the wrong decision …. we need to engage with officers on what they’d like to do.”

Randall: Would work with police to “change the culture,” would work to get funding levels back “to where they need to be,” community outreach for a community policing strategy, create a Public Safety Youth Academy.

Rivers: “Restructuring the department is very important.” So are working with the community ahd training officers, and “mentoring and monitoring.” Would focus the department on both criminal justice and social justice.

Sixkiller: “People across Seattle don’t feel safe” – every category of crime is up. We’ve lost police because of City Council’s “rob Peter to pay Paul approach over this past year. … We have to hire more cops, period.” But “who we’re hiring and what we’re hiring them into is the opportunity.”

Donaldson: Police are leaving “because they don’t feel the support of our elected officials.” He favors sign-on bonuses and commitments to stay for two years.

#3 – Small businesses have had to deal with street disorder – burglaries, people wandering into their businesses and causing trouble … if you were walking the streets and talking to one of these businesses, what do you tell them about your strategy for dealing with this?

Farrell: For unhoused people, we need more housing and services and to scale up programs that use “trusted messengers” to build relationships with them.

González: She’s been a longtime Junction resident and considers many business owners friends. “The answer is not to increase the presence of law enforcement” but for example to bring Health One to West Seattle.

Harrell: Has been touring many business districts. “We need to examine where a gun and badge need to go and do not need to go” – a lot of the people causing disorder need help, and a system outside 911 could help.

Houston: Must look at roots of the problem – lack of resources, including federal. What can we do as a city? Preventative care including tiny homes and a Universal Basic Income pilot.

Randall: Some kind of ‘creative consequence” is needed – work closely with City Attorney on sanction to “send a message that this type of behavior will not be tolerated.”

Rivers: “Every department has to be looked at” via auditing. “Seattle is not a city of homelessness … Seattle is a city destined for greatness.”

Sixkiller: “Enough is enough … property crime is up across this city and I think we need to stop making excuses about it. … We need a multidimensional solution to a very complex problem.” But also “we need to enforce laws on the books” and “hold folks accountable while making investments in alternatives.”

Donaldson: Owned a small business for 28 years. But using police for street disturbances “is a little bit of overkill.” Other resources would be helpful.

Echohawk: She is a small-business owner and when she hears that a business owner is suffering, she will offer support. But also, the people who are suffering with mental and behavioral issues “are in anguish” … “City government has allowed this to happen.” She has a plan for 100 outreach workers.

#4 – What is your opinion of the Inspector General’s recommendation to not make traffic stops for many violations?

González: Very supportive of not having “armed law enforcement” engage in traffic stops because this is what results in biased policing … Supportive of looking for an alternate way of “achieving compliance with our traffic laws.”

Harrell: He sponsored “bias-free policing law” to look at “who IS getting stopped.” Routine traffic stops have resulted in unnecessary deaths and murders so we need to take a look at that but we “need safe streets.”

Houston: Supportive of Inspector General’s recommendation. Biggest issue is that “our environment is designed” for speeding. Need to invest more in “redesigning our streets.”

Randall: Need to identify officers who have shown biases so they can be kept from making stops. Options need to be considered for handling stops.

Rivers: His daughter is a state trooper in Tennessee. The city needs to compensate West Seattle for all it’s going through because of the bridge.

Sixkiller: He supports Vision Zero. Camera enforcement can reduce the number of interactions with law-enforcement officers. “Less officers making stops is better for everybody.”

Donaldson: If we don’t like the laws, we need to change them. Having Inspector General say, don’t enforce them, “is not the right way to go about this” but he supports having non-armed officers handle traffic enforcement.

Echohawk: She supports recommendation. Having “community people” handle traffic stops would be good. Have SDOT analyze how to make the streets safer.

Farrell: Design streets to be safer – act with urgency to slow down drivers. Also need to decriminalize parts of transportation system like jaywalking and fare enforcement.

#5 – As mayor, what will you do to ensure the West Seattle Bridge is reopened no later than the currently promised mid-2022?

Harrell: “I think we are on track but to ensure that we’ll open up the data” to measure milestones. “We will also have a cabinet-level position” to aggressively pursue federal and other funding for this and other projects

Houston: Has been an “excellent project manager” in the private sector. Will ensure decisions are made in a timely manner. He believes Mayor Durkan waited too long to make repair-or-replace decision. Also “focused on restoring transit service to what it was before the pandemic.” Would put “buses on the ballot” in 2022.

Randall: Re-examine the transportation levy to free up funding, create partnerships with corporate community to “fill any funding gap.”

Rivers: “When it comes to the bridge, there is a problem, but I know we can resolve it. … There needs to be more than one way in and out of West Seattle that’s major.”

Sixkiller: “The top bridge experts in the world still can’t tell us why that bridge cracked. i think it’s super-critical … that we keep that project on track, work as hard as we can to deliver it sooner, but we want to make sure those repairs are the right repairs.” Have to focus on the low bridge too.

Donaldson: Transportation has to be a top priority. The bridge needs to be replaced. Will keep pushing for federal funding.

Echohawk: She’s led a nonprofit for 7 years and “if we had a major part of our infrastructure come down like this, I would have been fired by my board of directors.” The mayor “should be focused on keeping all of our infrastructure on track, from potholes to bridges.” Would hold SDOT personally accountable and watch “every single dollar.”

Farrell: It’s “a travesty that mobility concerns have not been addressed” since mobility was a West Seattle problem even before the “bridge disaster.” She would use her transportation experience (in nonprofit sector and Legislature) to “make sure we get this bridge (back open) as soon as we can.”

González: The most-motivated candidate to get the bridge open “since I live in West Seattle.” Has been working hard on the council to be sure funding is there and they’ve been successful so far. “Really, it’s about safety.” and about project management, which is SDOT’s accountability, but “they answer to the mayor.” But bridge won’t reopen unless she’s certain it’s safe. “That has to be our guiding force, is the bridge ready to open” without danger of collapse.

#6 – Will you order an investigation into what went wrong with the West Seattle Bridge?

Houston: Yes, but thinks that’s already happening. Also concerned about other bridges, need a “deep dive” into all of them.

Randall: Yes. Investigation “needs to start in the mayor’s office, all the way down to SDOT.” Other bridges need to be inspected. Need financial reserve for other potential future infrastructure needs.

Rivers: “How did this happen?” Agrees there needs to be an investigation.

Sixkiller: “Deep dive” to understand what happened is important, but doesn’t think an investigation should look for “a boogeyman” because the bridge was closed before anyone was hurt. Resources need to be channeled into other infrastructure too.

Donaldson: “I am for a thorough investigation” including “outside investigators.”

Echohawk: “I absolutely support” investigating what happened. “We owe it to the city” so “these kind of incidences never happen again.” Important for SDOT to create new systems to be sure infrastructure is safe.

Farrell: “This is really an issue of public trust.” She believes an investigation is an important tool for accountability, even if there was no “wrongdoing.”

González: “I don’t think it’s a wise use of resources or time to launch an investigation on [the construction of] a bridge that was built 40 years ago.” But she supports “a full audit of how we discovered the cracks in the first place” and whether the problem could have been detected sooner.

Harrell: “I think an investigation is very appropriate – for what purpose, though? Not to denigrate anyone, but to prevent it from happening again. … The communication system broke down, and this is where leadership style is going to be critical.”

#7 – Do you support or oppose Charter Amendment 29 on homelessness (“Compassion Seattle”) and why?

Randall: Says whether it’s passed or rejected it won’t affect his strategy on homelessness.

Rivers: Homelessness system has to “understand the mindset” of those experiencing it.

Sixkiller: Yes, he supports it as an “important step forward” to “push past semantics.” He thinks it’s a statement from citizens that “we need change.”

Donaldson: Yes, he supports it. Additional housing in particular “is what we need.” He’s “all about intervening” to help people experiencing homelessness.

Echohawk: She does not support it but understands “why people wanted it” and shares the frustration that the problem has worsened in recent years. Her main reason for opposing it is that those experiencing homelessness were not consulted. She has a homelessness plan “to bring everyone inside” within 14 months.

Farrell: She supports it “because it puts forward a consensus plan” on how to address the problem and that it will enable us “to stop wringing our hands” and take action.

González: She does not support it, considering it “an unfunded mandate” so the mayor would be forded to make cuts elsewhere in the budget “to fulfill the mandate.” It wouldn’t do enough; “we need to have a real solution that does not put sweeps at the heart of it.”

Harrell: He does support it “for a variety of reasons” including that it requires “a published plan.” The city needs to “aggressively help people. … Inaction is unacceptable.”

Houston: He is “vehemently against it” and also cites reasons including that people with lived experience were not part of creating it. He’s most interested in “preventative” aspect of dealing with homelessness – not just bringing people out of it but also preventing them from falling into it.

#8 – What is one thing you think you can and would do as mayor to help endangered orcas and endangered salmon?

Rivers: We “must work together across cross-cultural barriers” to address the challenges.

Sixkiller: When at King County, he worked on clean water and habitat support. Need to ensure that policies and infrastructure support environmental health.

Donaldson: He would ensure protection for the waterways they’re using, including Elliott Bay, and trying to prevent sewage/runoff pollution.

Echohawk: We’ll know we’ve turned the corner “when the Salish Sea is full of orcas.” Working with tribes is important – “they have an actual relationship with the orcas.” Addressing emissions is important too.

Farrell: “We need to really make sure that orcas have food …” and taking steps to support salmon, such as fish passages and reducing runoff pollution are vital, as well as getting people out of cars (she mentions the study showing that tire dust is poisoning waterways).

González: She would work with industries to get them away from unsustainable practices and toward a “green economy” that would “benefit all of us in this environment.”

Harrell: We should all look at our individual behavior – whether you’re using plastics, detergent, etc. that’s environmentally detrimental. Also – be strong partners with the nonprofits ‘doing tremendous work in this area.” And “bringing awareness to the seriousness of the situation.”

Houston: #1 thing he’ll do is “reduce vehicle miles traveled. .. it’s imperative that we get people to drive less.” That’s not just mode shift but also land-use reform so that everything you need is close by.

Randall: Upgrade stormwater-management systems and seek federal funding to investigate waterway pollution.

#9 – Do you support ending single-family zoning?

Sixkiller: No. But he supports examining zoning overall to create more housing opportunities.

Donaldson: No. He prefers ‘creating a blend and a mix of mixed-use” and finding “pockets” in neighborhoods where multi-family housing can be built.

Echohawk: Housing is unaffordable for too many and that’s wrong, so it’s time to increase density.

Farrell: “We need to be building a lot more affordable housing. … Changing our land-use code is one tool.” Look at places where there’s “economic diversity,” like High Point.

González: Yes, she supports abolishing exclusionary (single-family) zoning. “It is wrong to hae 80 percent of our residential land reserved for” the most-expensive type of zoning.

Harrell: City needs to discuss the history of single-family zoning and to work with communities.

Houston: Yes; the city’s been talking about ending single-family zoning since a HALA recommendation five years ago.

Randall: He supports working with neighborhoods “to create staggered residential zoning” and “more flexibility” in zoning. Need to make it more feasible for people to develop their own property.

Rivers: We should have seen the housing crisis coming. Also need to recognize that younger generations don’t think the same way about housing as older generations, so need to talk with them about this.

Four “just answer yes/no” questions followed:

-Would you initiate having the city annex White Center and the rest of unincorporated North Highline? All said yes except Echohawk, who said no.

-Are Seattle’s small businesses over-regulated? All said yes.

-Would you support expanding the natural-gas ban to new single-family homes? All said yes,

-Should Sound Transit (on whose board the mayor sits) consider the West Seattle SkyLink gondola as an alternative to West Seattle light rail? Donaldson, Echohawk, Randall, and Rivers said yes; Farrell, González, Harrell, Houston, and Sixkiller said no.

(Thanks again to everyone who suggested questions.) While our format did not have introductions, we did ask for closing statements. If you want to see those, advance the video to 1 hour, 14 minutes, 55 seconds in.

WHAT’S NEXT: King County Elections sends out ballots on Wednesday; voting starts as soon as you get yours, and ends at 8 pm Tuesday, August 3rd. The top two finishers in this race will advance to the November election. You have at least one more chance to see some of the candidates answering questions during an online forum this Wednesday (July 14th) at 6 pm, presented by Seattle Fair Growth with co-sponsors including the Morgan Community Association; information, including the viewing link, is here.

50 Replies to "ELECTION 2021: 13 questions answered in West Seattle by 9 people who want to be Seattle's next mayor"

  • Wendell July 12, 2021 (3:33 pm)

    It looks like Bruce Harrell got time off from his mailman gig.

    • Mike July 12, 2021 (9:15 pm)

      You made my day Wendell.  My thoughts exactly.  Used to be a day when you took pride in how you looked.  Dress for the position.  Super funny!

      • bill July 12, 2021 (10:54 pm)

        Wendell & Mike: Why bother reading the article?

      • Canton July 12, 2021 (11:42 pm)

        So his clothing decision is more important than his points on public policy.  Kinda shallow. 

  • WSneighbor July 12, 2021 (5:01 pm)

    Excellent summary WSB, much appreciated. Lots to consider in these responses; some candidates seem much more practical and specific  than others. 

  • FivePointer July 12, 2021 (5:19 pm)

    Have to learn more about Casey Sixkiller…. More common sense answers than I have heard from a Seattle mayoral candidate in a long time.  

    • Ken July 12, 2021 (6:21 pm)

      @ FivePointer – I agree.  The answers from Casey Sixkiller demonstrated a thoughtful awareness of almost all the topics covered.  Refreshing to say the least.

      • momosmom July 13, 2021 (4:50 pm)

        Remember a Candidate will always say what they think the people want to hear to get elected but then do they follow thru??? 

  • Mando#2 July 12, 2021 (5:25 pm)

    Unarmed people conducting traffic stops.  What a well meaning stupid idea.  When the police conduct a traffic stop, some of them result in a probable cause search, DUI investigation, etc.  They find drugs, guns warrants, etc.  It is unfortunate at times people (largely of color) who are not resisting arrest or armed get killed by these public servants.  That said, we all benefit from having high drivers and violent criminals off the streets.  Not to mention it won’t take long before they stop somebody who doesn’t want to get busted.  Happens all the time.  Always wonder about the folks who evade at high speeds a pursuit is terminated.  Probably not better off having them roam free either.  And yes, the system releases un-rehabilitated criminals too often.

  • anonyme July 12, 2021 (5:31 pm)

    Gonzales gave the absolute wrong answer on almost every question, IMO.  I found her demeanor to be smug and arrogant as if she found the proceedings beneath her.  I’m afraid she’ll end up in the top two, if only due to name recognition; if Seattle is in the toilet now, that would be the final flush.

    • Canton July 12, 2021 (11:59 pm)

      You are right, she is smug and arrogant. She acts as if, doing public service is a burden instead of her job. It would only be multiplied endlessly, if she were elected mayor.

      • Sunflower July 13, 2021 (12:14 pm)

        These seem rather harsh interpretations to me. I agree she doesn’t come across as warm and smiley as some of the other women candidates, but it’s interesting no one has commented on the arrogance of any of the male candidates.

        Another interpretation… Her communication or personality might seem a bit more aggressive than others, and perhaps she’s more socially introverted, but take into consideration her personal road to where she is today. One thing is for sure, she’s a fighter, intelligent, and capable. You may disagree with her political leanings, or not be attracted to her personality, but how about a little respect. She has worked hard for it.

        And btw, she has a lovely smile, as seen in the photo at the top! :)

        • Canton July 13, 2021 (11:34 pm)

          So a photo of smile is enough for consideration to be mayor? I went back through the list of candidates, and ONLY in my opinion, the majority just seem confident in their approach. One male sticks out as arrogant, Houston. Extreme ideals and no experience to lead a big city. Confidence can’t overcome that aspect. 

          • Sunflower July 14, 2021 (7:06 am)

            No, that’s a silly extraction! Just speaking to some personal criticisms, and pointing out she does have a softer side, even if she was more in logical brain or lawyer mode during the panel discussion.

            Vote for the candidate who you believe is the healthiest for the city.

          • Sunflower July 14, 2021 (11:12 pm)

            No, just speaking up in response to some of the personal criticisms. And in her smile see she has a sifter side too. Wonder if her lawyer background might contribute to her more assertive tone. Also, with her being latina, there may be cultural differences contributing to how different people come across.
            Not speaking up to sway votes, rather speaking up against some negative comments I think are a matter of perspective and these things shouldn’t be enough to discount her as a candidate. She has a lot to offer and is respectable, and so do all the candidates, in their own ways.

    • My two cents … July 14, 2021 (9:23 am)

      Gonzalez doesn’t make the cut to move on to the general election. The responses, tone, and lack of substantive details indicate that representing the entire city (much less West Seattle) is a non-starter. Have things gotten better or worse over the past 6 years (time on Council)? Time to move on to other voices that represent the entire community amd can drive actual change.

  • Andrea July 12, 2021 (6:52 pm)

    I’m really disturbed by all if their answers to the question about single family zoning. It’s like none of them know that west Seattle is all ready over built for the sewer lines and current development has raised the temperature of the area several degrees. You can’t keep slapping up multi family housing  and expect this place to keep it’s beautiful views , greenery and nice pace of life. You need to develop in White Center and Burien! They are dying for people to take and interest in their neighborhoods. I’m so sick of people moving here and saying ” oh I love the quality of life here, ” and then proceeding to support developers who basically go about ruining it. There’s a limit to how many people you can put some place and preserve the peace. West Seattle is going to be totally paved over and looking like a NYC slum before long, with views of the next door apartment bldg dumpster. Cut the crap candidates. Stop the development and start putting in rent control if you really care about housing people. Go develop white center and Burien. Leave the zoning alone! 

    • Pessoa July 12, 2021 (10:02 pm)

      This attitude is simply pushing development out into the suburbs where the bulldozing of huge, often densely forested tracts is happening at a frenetic pace.  If you are someone who believes in the worst case global scenario’s (and I don’t necessarily, btw) I invite you and others to visit a Kenmore, or a Redmond, or Bothell – and then visit the same neighborhoods a month later.  But do so at your own peril, because what you’ll see may be traumatizing.  

      • Andrea July 13, 2021 (5:30 pm)

        I’m sorry but White Center isn’t a huge tract of trees. Neither is South Park or George Town . Get to reality ,would you?

      • JS July 13, 2021 (6:28 pm)

        You don’t have to go nearly that far. Take a look at the CD, or the U District, where development proceeds apace. Happening all the while the suburbs (and many a lot farther out than the ones you name) are developing. Density is not a panacea, and housing is not monolithic.

        • Pessoa July 13, 2021 (9:03 pm)

          They are happening simultaneously as you point out, but at least some buyers who might be lured into a townhouse (e.g) in Seattle are not left with many choices.  What percentage of buyers this is, I don’t know.             

    • Lagartija Nick July 13, 2021 (9:12 am)

      “Go develop White Center and Burien”, well this is probably the most elitist and classist comment I’ve seen on the blog in quite some time. 80% of land in Seattle is exclusively zoned as single family, the most of any city in the U.S. And all of the current development is concentrated in urban villages leaving all of that exclusionary single family zoning in place. This policy is the primary driver of why rent/home value is one of the highest in the nation and is a primary contributer to homelessness in our area. West Seattle is in no danger of becoming a slum of the NYC variety or otherwise. Your comment is disgusting but a prime example of a lot of what’s wrong in this city. 

      • Andrea July 14, 2021 (10:04 am)

        Sorry , your blaming of high rents on single family housing is just bunk. You can knock down all the single family homes you want, and put up all the multi family units you want, ( which, btw, aren’t ideal places to raise kids) and the property owners/developers  will still charge what the market will bear… Those single family homes still pay more in taxes than any individual apartment dweller does . 

  • DB40 July 12, 2021 (7:12 pm)

    Lance Randall not only provided thoughtful replies, he actually looks and dresses like a mayor. 

    • Jort July 13, 2021 (9:57 am)

      He also has been alleged to beat children, so maybe ‘dressing like a mayor’ shouldn’t be your primary criteria? 

      • BB July 15, 2021 (2:27 pm)

        Wow, ad hominem much? He doesn’t “beat children.” He spanked his son too hard one time, which is not the same thing at all.  It’s a bad thing to do but far from being a disqualifier for mayor.  For those of us who grew up in the Southeast, getting a lot of spankings, some of which were carried too far, was a childhood norm.    

  • Anne July 12, 2021 (7:15 pm)

    Gonzalez & Houston’s answers are beyond ludicrous- like this gem from Gonzalez:González: Very supportive of not having “armed law enforcement” engage in traffic stops because this is what results in biased policing … Supportive of looking for an alternate way of “achieving compliance with our traffic laws.”Like WHAT kind of alternatives- just WHO would enforce traffic laws- or maybe just don’t enforce at all – but  as usual no specifics. 

  • Wsres July 12, 2021 (7:28 pm)

    Casey Sixkiller has peaked my interest in voting for him. 

  • UselessPoliticians July 12, 2021 (7:30 pm)

    More of the same rhetoric that has failed over and over…  Highlight was how they suggest we hire the equivalent of mall cops lol.  They can imagine/reimagine whatever but it will only let thing keep getting worse being focused on ideology rather than things that can work.  Don’t know much about Sixkiller but at least he had the courage to speak what majority of Seattle can see and wants ..

  • The truth July 12, 2021 (7:38 pm)

    Sixkiller and Harrell seems to be reasoned and steady.  Did Gonzales seems agitated or disgusted by peoples answers?  It sure looked that way at times.

  • Pessoa July 12, 2021 (7:51 pm)

    Sixkiller:  The SPD apparently has a long reputation of responding disinterestedly to property crime (something I have experienced myself.)  How then am I to believe that the increase in property crime is because of cutbacks, or that more staffing will result in a decrease in property crime?  On the other hand, there seems to be no shortage of officers for a “dangerous” public celebration, or shutting down public venues.  To All Candidates:  Most of you seem to have been blindsided on the question of extending a natural gas ban, to which all of you, nonetheless, answered “yes.”   You support a regulation that will reduce choices for new construction and increase the prices of gas for existing homeowners.  To replace with what?  If you don’t know, or aren’t sure, and give the “circle back” excuse.  

    • Ron Swanson July 12, 2021 (10:19 pm)

      Uh, electricity, which doesn’t shut down blocks due to explosion risk when it springs a leak, or kill you with carbon monoxide, or contribute to the planet becoming unliveably hot? It’s not rocket science.

      • Canton July 13, 2021 (7:26 am)

        Uh, yeah. Cause the power never goes out, and we need a monopoly controlling the pricing.

      • Adam July 13, 2021 (7:43 am)

        Electricity? The stuff from coal power plants often? C’mon Ron, it ain’t rocket science. 

  • Vee July 12, 2021 (9:32 pm)

    Six killer has my vote so farWilling to take a stand to change and make things better by enforcing laws for one thingNo way ever Gonzalez’s

  • Mr J July 12, 2021 (10:34 pm)

    Sixkiller is a corporate shill, let’s not forget he’s Durkan’s pick and likely tied up in the MIA email scandal currently playing out. Also @ the truth – should Gonzáles smile more? Would that make her look less disgusted by the questions? 

    • Canton July 13, 2021 (12:15 am)

      Good point, will he share the missing emails with the public? Or just another bs excuse as to why they vanished. Even if set at 30 days to discard, the cloud back up, or phone company records should shed some light. If requested….

    • helpermonkey July 13, 2021 (8:13 am)

      @ MR. J – I am sorry, did you just suggest a female candidate “smile more”??! Good to know rampant sexism is alive and well. 

      • Mr J July 13, 2021 (9:36 am)

        No, it was sarcastic. I was responding to a comment about her “looking” disgusted with questions. So the opposite of what you think I was saying. 

  • Mrs. Myrtle July 12, 2021 (10:47 pm)

    Gonzalez answered questions as if she currently has no influence on what happens in this city. Why would we trust her to make positive change as mayor? We shouldn’t vote to promote someone who is already on a performance review and ineffective in her current job. 

  • Insertname July 12, 2021 (11:49 pm)

    Well, an emphatic no for CM Gonzalez, and a potential yes for either Harrell or Sixkiller. They both seem the most logical of all the candidates. Thank you for this forum summary. 

  • Pessoa July 13, 2021 (7:52 am)

    Oh no, someone (Gonzalez) came across as confident – gasp! – even assertive!  Pass the smelling salts!  Northwest emotional fragility at it’s finest.  

    • Barton July 13, 2021 (12:56 pm)

      confident and assertive is . . . one interpretation of how Gonzalez came across.

  • Peter July 13, 2021 (8:30 am)

    Deciding who will be the next one term scapegoat for everything that anyone is upset about sure is a hard decision. 

  • Joel July 13, 2021 (8:41 am)

    outside of Sixkiller it’s more of the same for Seattle…and based on the looks of the city…it’s well past time for a change.

  • WSconcernednative July 13, 2021 (3:01 pm)

    Let’s not forget that Gonzalez is the one that gave Sawant a pass for unlocking city hall to demonstrators, disclosing Durkan’s address, then leading the council vote to have the taxpayers pay Sawant’s legal fees. Gonzalez needs to go. 

  • momosmom July 14, 2021 (7:47 am)

    To all Residents of the City of Seattle…think long and hard on who you do vote for as the new Mayor of Seattle because in the long run it will have the domino effect on us people who live in Burien and or White Center.Thank you

  • Chad July 14, 2021 (2:11 pm)

    Thanks for the write up and video WSB!

  • Canton July 14, 2021 (10:34 pm)

    Although late to ask a question to potential candidates… What would you do as mayor to hold your morels and speak your truth against a council that discards your opinions? Would you as a newly appointed mayor, just take on the opinions of the council, or stand up for the voice of the people? Durkin failed in that regard.

  • Alki70 July 16, 2021 (9:55 am)

    Thanks, WSB for hosting and posting this!  I was impressed by Lance Randall.  Quiet but reasoned responses.    

Sorry, comment time is over.