Pragmatism and common sense have
gone out of style at City Hall. I'll bring them back in.
Growing
Pains. Seattle's been my home for 30 years, and in that time the city has
grown phenomenally. Unfortunately, infrastructure hasn't kept up. Developers tear
down our livable, affordable neighborhoods and throw up garish high-rises with
no parking. That's great for wealthy tech workers, but what about the rest of
us? Long-time residents are fleeing Seattle for more livable suburbs while
homeless camps proliferate in our parks and greenbelts. Taxes go up
relentlessly, but where does the money go?
Social
Justice Warriors. The City Council has done little to address real problems,
concerning itself instead with social causes. Transgender bathrooms? -No. We
should be focusing on affordability and heroin addiction. Climate change? -No.
We need to address traffic congestion. The Council's response to homelessness was
to lift the ban on camping in parks. Their answer to the heroin epidemic? -Give
addicts a "safe" place to shoot up. When their absurd schemes fail, they blame Donald
Trump or rich people. This isn't a government. It's a unicorn ranch.
Changing
Up. The City Council has been captured by interest groups and radical
ideologues. To move forward, we've got to set these divisive forces aside and restore
a sense of unity and balance to our government. As a councilmember, I will stand
up to the radicals and protesters. I will insist on transparent government and oppose
new taxes until we have accountability for money the city is taking from us
now. I've been writing about fraud and waste in government for years (see roominate.com/blog) so I know just where
the rot is and how to fix it.
Pragmatic
Solutions. I'll get to work on homelessness and addiction first. We need to
get homeless people into housing and drug-treatment programs. No more camping
in parks. The next task is to create more affordable housing. Real estate developers
have been writing our land-use policies, and that needs to stop. I'll require developers
to pay more for infrastructure improvements and create more low- and middle-income
housing. I'll end the demonization of landlords and will make it easier for homeowners
to add mother-in-law units. Mayor Murray damaged the City's relationship with
neighborhoods. I will rebuild it and get neighborhood groups-and ALL the people-back
into City Hall. Thanks for your vote, Seattle!