Maple Leaf Community Council President David Miller has quietly begun his campaign for one of the city council seats being vacated in 2009. (Jan Drago and Richard McIver are stepping down, and as many as two other seats could open up.)

Miller, a biotech stock analyst and part-time instructor at the UW's Bothell campus, has led the fight against development of the former Waldo Hospital/Campfire headquarters site in North Seattle, and advocated for neighborhood zoning protections and trees.

Miller's decision to run appears to be in response to dissatisfaction with the city process surrounding the Waldo development.

From his campaign website:

Unless we get active, outside interests will "develop" our neighborhood into oblivion. The law requires density to respect the environment and neighborhood character, and be accompanied by commensurate improvements in neighborhood infrastructure. Hopefully I can be effective in 'reminding' our elected officials of these facts.

Communities to often only get to comment on already-formed proposals in two-minute sound bites at hearings held just before votes are taken. As a community organizer, I have direct experience in the good and bad sides of our policy in this area and I know where improvements need to be made.

Miller is not yet listed as a registered candidate on the city's Ethics and Elections website, but he has apparently filed all the neceessary paperwork.

According to his bio, Miller's favorite comfort foods are "Chocolate. Or maybe spaghetti."