ELECTION 2024: City Council candidates appear at West Seattle Chamber of Commerce online forum

(WSB photo, ballot box at South Seattle College)

With 15 more days to vote – until Tuesday night, November 5 – the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce held its first “Chamber Chat,” with the organization’s Government Affairs Committee focusing on candidates and issues on the ballot. They first heard from both candidates for the final unexpired year of the City Council citywide Position 8 term:

CITY COUNCIL CITYWIDE POSITION 8: Alexis Mercedes Rinck said she’s “fighting for a city that works for all of us.” She says that she’s worked “across 39 cities” and various organizations on housing policy, as well as restructuring UW’s budget. She said her roots go back to a troubled childhood but people who fought for her saved her. She wants to work for a “fairer tax system” and to move from “budgets with band-aids” to budgets that “set up” the city to thrive. In Q&A, she was asked how she’d work with colleagues with different goals/philosophies. She said that she felt she’d bring balance to the council. She said she could work with folks “from MAGA to Marxist” and currently works with reps for different cities that are all over the political spectrum. She said she helped work on homelessness-fighting plans, too. She stressed a collaborative nature to “get folks around the table … to problem-solve” and says that’s what she wants to bring to citywide office. Answering another question, about public safety, she said “Seattle kids deserve to go to school without fear” among other things and that action is needed now – building staffing “across the board,” including law enforcement and other responders, is her priority. “It’s not enough to just respond” – work on prevention is vital too, especially gun-violence prevention. She supports “permit to purchase.” She added, “We know what we need to do” – reports have made numerous suggestions – we just need to implement them. Housing would improve safety, too, she believes.

Regarding transportation, she said she lives car-free and relies on public transit daily. Safety on transit is a priority too. “On the whole, I’m really committed to creating a safe multi-modal transit system,’ prioritizing all ways of getting around, plus electrification, adding sidewalks, and finding “progressive (revenue) options” to fund all that. How would she support small business? “They’re the cornerstone of our community,” Mercedes Rinck declares, saying she worked at one as a restaurant, but knows owning one is a whole different thing. She also mentioned the end of the tip credit and said she’s committed to help figure out how to ensure affected small businesses can keep their doors open. She thinks the Office of Economic Development can do a lot of work for entrepreneurs and wants to hear more about what they have or haven’t been doing.

She was also asked about the Department of Neighborhoods, with a suggestion that the city doesn’t really reach out to neighborhood groups any more. “How do you get people in the neighborhoods involved again, get the department involved again in bringing those voices to the table?” Mercedes Rinck agreed she wasn’t seeing much DoN involvement so the department needed to be empowered to do more outreach; she said she needs to find out more about their staffing level and look for opportunities to invest – “we know that community engagement is a lot of time, time that people don’t have sometimes.” Next: Why is she seeking office? She thinks the city has a lot of urgent needs, like what she saw in her area, the Central District, which recently had two shooting incidents, Also – dealing with the high housing prices and cost of rents going up; she says we need more housing supply, She feels she’s “somebody to act, move with urgency,” and says, “Let’s get stuff done!”

Next was appointed incumbent councilmember Tanya Woo. In opening remarks, she said her parents had the first Chinese bakery in Seattle; she comes from a long list of business owners – her parents currently own a restaurant in Chinatown/ID. She has experience building “workforce housing” and has formed a public-safety group that started walking nightly in a time of anti-Asian hate and now walks weekly. The group, she said, segued into homeless outreach and assisted seniors as well. She said more incentives are needed for building affordable housing and believes that density and “more trees” can both happen. She is in favor of reducing permit wait times, which she says she’s experienced as a small business owner. “There isn’t going to be one thing that changes overnight – it’s all part of a puzzle.” Building back SPD staffing and having alternative responders are both important, she says, as well as figuring out how to connect people with services. “I imagine a city like where I grew up – where kids can go to school without worrying about getting shot,” like her worry-free days at Schmitz Park Elementary in West Seattle. Her priorities: Public safety, homelessness, housing affordability.

How would she work on council to fully and fairly represent constituents? She says the current councilmembers are “all friends, a civil group, all in person” so she doesn’t do anything without collaborating with other councilmembers (she mentioned collaboration with CM Rob Saka for one). She is all for “finding the common ground. … That’s where I reside, how do we work together to reach the greatest good?” She added, “We just have to try things” and make changes if it’s not working. “It’s all about listening and making sure people are heard … and being out in the community” She said she’s out at meetings and events at least once a day.

How does she approach public safety and transportation? “Balanced approach,” she says. Regarding police, “while we did not defund police, we demoralized police … since most are on patrol work, we are not able to investigate” as many crimes as before. “I also believe in a balanced approach” and supports expansion of CARE Team, LEAD, REACH, and seeing how other groups are working to increase safety. Regarding transportation, she says ST3 and ensuring community measures are being heard is a priority. “I know we’re not even there yet” regarding station siting. She was involved in assembling the Transportation Levy, while noting she isn’t allowed to advocate for it.

How will she advocate for small businesses? She thinks the impending compensation change is going to force a lot of small businesses to close. She wants to find ways to be proactive and help businesses pay for things like shatter-resistant glass treatment and anti-graffiti coating. Other issues plague businesses – trespassers, drug use right outside, employees not feeling safe coming to or being at work. She said she wants to hear what businesses like those in the Chamber need. “I feel the desperation of many businesses, the weight of” how policies are affecting them.

Other questions: A local bank manager asked about graffiti vandalism, calling “demoralizing” despite not being on the scale of drug addiction or homelessness. It’s “demoralizing” to see buildings defaced, and it seems to add “a temperature of chaos … it’s like a war on our city.” Woo agreed, “I abhor graffiti.” She said her group has chased vandals down to let them know how much their deeds hurt small businesses, especially in “historic districts” that might have rules making it even harder. She feels graffiti comes down to “consent” – yes, there’s some consensual art out there, but much graffiti is vandalism detracting from the “beauty of our buildings.” Other factors delay cleanup like weather and waiting for the availability of cleanup crews. Invited to say a few closing words, she made allegations against her opponent’s stands on various issues, including saying Mercedes Rinck’s interest in “more progressive revenue” is not realistic because most of a long list of recommendations are for taxes that “are illegal.” (Mercedes Rinck wasn’t there to rebut because of the event’s format – each candidate appeared individually.)

TRANSPORTATION LEVY: The group was also scheduled to hear from guests for and against the Seattle Transportation Levy; no pro-levy guest was available, so committee chair Jordan Crawley offered some basic information about the $1.55 billion levy. Former Seattle City Councilmember Alex Pedersen – former chair of the council’s Transportation Committee – spoke against it. He was asked about his biggest concerns regarding the levy, which he said would be “Seattle’s biggest tax ever.” He feels it’s “unaffordable, inequitable, and would be ineffective.” Rents would go up, he says, as property owners pass the cost through. One point on equity – he says it could have at least partly gone through a less regressive funding source. He also says it’s not doing enough for pedestrian safety and bridges, among other things; he’d also like to see its projects “broken into smaller pieces” – the repaving funding all goes into 15 big projects, he says, but could go into more smaller projects that repave more streets. In all, he would just like to see it redone and sent back to voters in the first half of next year. Some supplementary funding is necessary, he says, so that’s why he favors rejecting this one and calling for something new to be drafted quickly.

The Chamber also was scheduled to talk about the statewide initiatives on the ballot, but also did not have a “pro” guest, and we couldn’t stay for that part of the program. Your ballot should have arrived by now – if not, here’s what to do!

34 Replies to "ELECTION 2024: City Council candidates appear at West Seattle Chamber of Commerce online forum"

  • K October 21, 2024 (6:22 pm)

    Already cast my vote for Rinck.  Does anyone else feel like there’s an obvious choice in every race this time around?  

    • Dr Wu October 22, 2024 (7:40 am)

      My choice is not your obvious choice. 

  • 1994 October 21, 2024 (10:43 pm)

    Nope. Your obvious choice is your choice. Others may have another opinion and choice. But everyone should cast their vote regardless of their choice!!

  • Jason October 22, 2024 (7:50 am)

    Voted Rinck. Easy choice. Rinck supports working class, Woo is only interested in her fellow landlord class and will be more of the same on the council. We need dissenting voices compared to the usual Harrell puppets. 

  • Destiny October 22, 2024 (7:58 am)

    Woo for the W! Don’t need more social justice warriors like Rinck imo. Stay local, say no to carpetbaggers.

    • Derek October 22, 2024 (10:15 am)

      You are deeply uninformed.  Rinck has done more boots on the ground work locally and is supported by Boeing strikers and labor. Woo’s “local tie” is just being the nepotism baby to her father and grandfather’s apartment complex. If you want to name call…

      • Kyle October 22, 2024 (5:00 pm)

        Wow I hope you never run for public office. 

  • Ivan Weiss October 22, 2024 (8:27 am)

    Sharon Maeda, formerly a longtime West Seattle resident who now lives in the CD, expressed her opinion in this South Seattle Emerald op-ed:

    https://southseattleemerald.org/voices/2024/10/21/opinion-why-i-will-not-vote-for-tanya-woo

    • bradley October 22, 2024 (9:36 am)

      Not being a registered voter is not a disqualification for me.  It’s a very stand alone argument for that author.  That’s not enough to sway me to see the value a new politician can bring to council.  How many other politicians became new voters that now hold office?  or became voters?  Does that disqualify their votes?

      • Derek October 22, 2024 (10:22 am)

        You don’t think it’s bad that a policy maker didn’t even vote in elections?

      • Jason October 22, 2024 (12:20 pm)

        Bradley, “Registered”??? I think you are confused, she didn’t even want to vote!! And now she wants OUR vote? Absurd!

      • Bbron October 22, 2024 (12:41 pm)

        “How many other politicians became new voters that now hold office?” That’s the point: Woo is the first person in recent history where they had absolutely no voting record prior to trying to be elected. It easily leads people to conclude that she’s only seeking the position for self interests.

        • Kyle October 22, 2024 (4:59 pm)

          It’s a city council position folks, not US senator. I would care much more about what the candidate stands for then a voting record at this point. She’s actually been on the council so her record there matters way more than whoever the candidate voted for years ago. This is just a straw man because you think she is too moderate. Just say that.

          • Bbron October 22, 2024 (6:45 pm)

            I want a candidate that has engaged in local politics. she’s been on the council for less than a year (appointed by special interests after failing to get elected) and has shown incompetence time and time again in public meetings. if she were competent, we could discuss policy differences, but her incompetence alone disqualifies here for me. I’d prefer a CM that comes prepared to meetings so time isn’t wasted and doesn’t need definitions spoonfed over and over again. no need to assume my reasoning (an actual strawman)

          • Derek October 22, 2024 (10:19 pm)

            “Actually been on council” except she was gift wrapped a spot on council by her crony friends and not elected.

          • Kyle October 23, 2024 (8:54 am)

            I can’t tell if you two are serious with all this rhetoric. She was appointed by other council members not cronies. She asked clarifying questions at a meeting that you deemed to be too basic? Honestly, wish more elected leaders would ask basic questions to make sure there is an even understanding for all in the room. Again, a real reason not to vote for her would be you don’t like what she’s done on the council or plans to do. Instead you’ve stretched lies and truths to paint her as a dumb crook. Seems no better than what I’ve seen from Republicans at the national level. Do better, both candidates are law abiding citizens who have some different ideas on how to best govern the city. Why don’t you read the Seattle times endorsement and than decide https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/the-times-recommends-tanya-woo-for-seattle-city-council-position-8/

          • Bbron October 23, 2024 (1:08 pm)

            @Kyle asking clarifying questions is fine; asking the same one week after week shows incompetence. wasting council meeting time is more than enough of a disqualification for me, but yeah I also dislike her policies and don’t really want someone who easily lies to their constituents. I don’t follow Seattle Times’ endorsements (milquetoast and devoid of substance as it is) as they too are consistently in the pocket of special interests . maybe you can look deeper into the beliefs and history of the current council and be able to see why folks like me think they would fall under “special interests” when appointing someone who lost the vote of the people, especially when her actions have reflected that.

          • Bbron October 23, 2024 (2:24 pm)

            My misunderstanding from the last link about recusing herself. It looks like she actually did end up recusing herself from that vote, so good to know that even if the election goes their way she has some integrity.

          • Kyle October 24, 2024 (11:24 am)

            Fair, a response I can live with :)

          • Jason October 24, 2024 (7:45 am)

            @Kyle, I prefer Stranger over Seattle Times, but thanks. They did a GREAT write-up on Alexis Mercedes Rinck: https://www.thestranger.com/summer-issue-2024/2024/07/15/79599264/the-strangers-endorsements-for-the-august-6-2024-primary-election

          • Kyle October 24, 2024 (11:37 am)

            I read it, I usually find the stranger heavy on snark and jabs and light on substance and data. I don’t think their writeup will change my mind 

  • Karl Tull October 22, 2024 (8:53 am)

    Tanya is the non-obvious but logical choice!

  • snowskier October 22, 2024 (8:59 am)

    Woo is my obvious choice but I’m ok that others feel differently.  No need for pressure for group think from either side.  Disagreement, discussion and compromise often lead to better decisions.  That’s why open, free and fair elections with low barriers to voting are important.

    • Kadoo October 22, 2024 (2:02 pm)

      Thank you, snowskier. I agree. 

  • DC October 22, 2024 (9:32 am)

    The undemocratic appointment of FAILED council candidate Tanya Woo was a true disgrace. And the way she bullies Morales, to whom she LOST the last election, is unacceptable. Time to stand up to this conservative council and appoint someone who actually represents the people of Seattle – Alexis Mercedes Rinck!!!

    • Nolan October 22, 2024 (3:38 pm)

      Suffice it to say, The Needling has nailed my opinion on Tanya Woo.

  • Derek October 22, 2024 (9:58 am)

    Canvassed and worked for Rinck’s campaign so no doubt I’m voting for her. I hope everyone votes YES on Prop 1 as we need desperate improvements to our infrastructure. And NO on all initiatives. 

    • Canton October 23, 2024 (7:16 am)

      Voted hard NO on prop 1. As for the initiatives; vote YES pay less…

    • Civic Joe October 24, 2024 (12:37 am)

      Shoved my ballot in the drop box today. Hard YES on Prop 1; hard NOs on all initiatives. Don’t need corporate stooges telling us what to do.

  • Bbron October 22, 2024 (12:38 pm)

    Woo wasn’t able to remember week after week what “social housing” and had to waste time (therefore our money) having it re-explained to her during the reviews of I-137 where she had a co-sponsored alternative that itself included reference to “social housing”. She is a deeply unserious candidate. The lack of effort to do the bare minimum of what she was elected for (coming prepared to a council meeting; remembering questions she already asked) leads me to conclude she’s only interested in the position for personal enrichment. No more participation trophies. Vote Rinck.

  • Wokeasf October 23, 2024 (7:14 am)

    We need authentic caring council members who can work together to get things done.  Woo is the best candidate. Don’t need a Mercedes to waste more of our tax payer’s dollars on the homeless industrial complex.

    • Bbron October 23, 2024 (1:12 pm)

      “authentic caring council members” that talk about using their car as a deadly weapon or stalking people that have a familiar set of shoes.

      • Sasha October 23, 2024 (4:21 pm)

        You are funny. Haha.  Vote Tanya for law and order!!

  • DavidWS November 4, 2024 (2:17 pm)

    Voting for Tanya Woo!  That fact that she works so well with other council members, especially Rob Saka means the world to me.  Rob is a people-first leader that represents West Seattle to the fullest. Even now, he’s fighting for the necessary Delridge roadwork that will benefit people and small businesses in the area, as well as working to returf local soccer fields so that our kids can play throughout the year, despite weather.  Tanya Woo supports Rob, which means she supports West Seattle.  Tanya Woo and Rob Saka are fighting for us.  Don’t let the special interests and the political machine steam roll us. Stand with the people that stand with you.

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