From Linh Thai:
Mike McGinn, Seattle’s mayor-elect wants to hear from folks in our city as he prepares to take office in January 2010. Mike ran a campaign that was a little different and he plans to run his transition into office and to serve as mayor in a way that is a little different than has been done before.
Mike has asked me and others throughout the city to reach out to our communities and to ask the following questions:
- How can Mike build the strongest possible team to achieve the policy objectives and values set forth during the campaign?
- How can we build public trust and confidence in the new administration?
- What do you view as the new administration biggest challenge – and what should we do first out of the gate?
You may be asked by more than one person. If you have not already considered these questions, could you please respond below. We will be collecting all of the responses and will be sharing them with Mike on November 23rd.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.
UPDATE: Join Linh and other community members on Fri., Nov. 20, at 6 pm at Holly Park Community Church (4308 S. Othello St) to share your views, voices, and visions for South Seattle.
Use the comment section below to share your answers. Photo/Don Pham, Northwest Vietnamese News
Who to know, where to eat & what to do in one of America’s most diverse zip codes!
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Not sure about the first 2 questions, but my top concern as a Rainier Beach resident is safety/crime/gang activity on Rainier Ave. I suggest increased social services/programming for youth at risk as well as an increased police presence.
1. Include realists who have actual experience in city politics; include individuals who will not blindly turn aside development opportunties just because “big business” (aka Vulcan) is involved; most importantly- acknowledge that the “campaign” was not a mandate, nearly 50% of the population voted for the other guy, so try to take their side into account and make decisions for the good of the city, not just the good of the campaign.
2. Seek out the opinion of all stakeholders, not just the individuals that voted for McGinn, but do so with a definite timeline for decisions to be made. Once a decision has been made, stand by it and implment it- the last thing NIMBYtown needs is more interminable decision making processes.
3. My number one concern is building a connected, effective transportation package that include light-rail to the Eastside, Northend (beyond Northgate!), and Southend (Federal Way at the least); the first prority of the new mayor’s office should be to affirm its commitment to effective transit beyond riding bikes to work.
The biggest challenge of the new administration is going to be balancing the poltical prowess of the Great White Band (Laurelhurst to Ballard) against the political needs of South-of-Cut Seattle; most specifically in the area of education, teen/gang violence mediation, and the development of economically diverse urban development along the light-rail line.
Sincerely,
Erik Weiss: Mt. Baker/Rainier Valley resident
CLARIFICATION: The Mayor-Elect will not attend the meeting session at 6 pm at Holly Park Community Church. The session is organized by me and a few others as a way to connect with many of you, SE residents who might otherwise unable to offer your inputs.
If you want to see and hear Mike McGinn tonight, please attend the Victory Party at New Holly’s Gathering Hall at 7 pm.
I apologize for any misunderstanding.
Thank you, Amber, for your assistance in getting the word out on this small but important event. Also, many thanks to the 28 community residents and activists who attended and contributed excellent inputs.
There will a major Town Hall for South Seattle upon this coming December 2nd, 2009. As soon as the location and time is confirmed, I will let you know.
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