One of the largest and  most visible structures in Seattle is I-5. Construction of the Interstate from Mexico to Canada destroyed many neighborhoods and neighborhood connections. From the day the freeway opened you could see it, hear it and smell it, but it was hard to get over, under or around. To this day it […]

This was an exciting budget season with passionate testimony and messages directed to the Council daily.  This was my final opportunity as a Councilmember to work for the goals that are most important to me.   I am pleased that all of my recommendations were approved by the Council. We were fortunate that during our budget […]

Round 1 of the Council budget review concluded on Monday.  Now we move into the phase of the budget where it’s important for people to express their support for the budget action items they favor. During the next week, councilmembers will be gauging public support on items that could make it into the budget package […]

Seattle’s Annual Budget Process is underway! Every year the Seattle City Council is tasked with evaluating the Mayor’s Proposed Budget. I believe this process should be as open and transparent as possible, so I’ve decided to link you to some existing websites that I believe are valuable resources for following this process as an educated […]

There has been a great deal of interest in the lowrise legislation voted on by the Council today, which was passed by a 8-1 vote. I was the lone “no” vote. Below are my edited remarks from today’s Full Council meeting, which explains my opposition to the bill: Introduction My remarks will cover three key […]

Over the course of the last year, my office has received a great deal of correspondence regarding the Cheasty Mountain Bike/Pedestrian Trail Pilot Project proposed for the Cheasty Greenspace.  This project first came before the Council as part of its approval of a Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) grant that would support the construction of a […]

The Seattle Pedestrian Advisory Board is accepting applications for new members to help make walking in Seattle safer and easier.  The volunteer board, which was created by Seattle City Council in 1993, plays an influential role in implementing Seattle’s Pedestrian Master Plan. The board advises the Mayor and City Council, participates in planning and project […]

On November 12 a crash occurred on the West Seattle Bridge during morning rush hour. Our Fire and Police Departments immediately responded to the scene. There were no injuries, but the disabled vehicle blocked the eastbound left lane. A tow truck did not arrive for nearly ninety minutes, resulting in major delays across West Seattle […]

Several weeks ago my legislative aide and I joined students at Global Connections High School on their ride with the Cascade Bicycle Club’s Major Taylor Project.  I encourage you to check out their website to learn about this great program that encourages young people, particularly from diverse lower-income families, to embrace bicycling as a form […]

Seattle has many talented and would-be gardeners.  The local food movement has grown rapidly. It is not unusual to find flourishing gardens in planting strips, on the roofs of restaurants, apartments and even on garages. Nearly 7,000 people are tending a plot at one of Seattle’s 89 P-Patch gardens.  Over 1,000 more people are on […]