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Monday, October 5, 2009

Politics Two Days Away

Posted by on Mon, Oct 5, 2009 at 12:44 PM

Israel-Licata-420.jpg

On Wednesday from 1:00 p.m to 3:00 p.m., we'll host an Electionland battle between City Council veteran Nick Licata and challenger Jessie Israel. Both candidates will try to rip each other's faces off while answering questions written by you, the passport-carrying citizens of Slog. Israel has long held that Licata, who has been on the council nearly 12 years, is an ineffective obstructionist. But is that a fair rap?

Little Light asks that question and gives Licata a chance to defend himself:

Does Nick get a bad rap for being an obstructionist councilmember? How often IS Licata actually the "1" in an 8-1 vote? Has he been able to put together legislative majorities to move his items through the Council & make policy?

But Israel, a King County Parks employee, clearly has less experience than Licata pushing legislation through the council. And while Licata has been a strong advocate for police accountability and avoiding building a new jail, Israel is beloved by the police and firefighter unions, which aren't exactly progressive voices. Do the police and fire unions just want anyone but Licata? Israel is asked the question:

How exactly did firefighters and police officers decide so quickly that they support a political unknown with zero record on their issues?

You've still got two days to ask more questions and vote for the best of them.

 

Comments (7) RSS

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Will in Seattle 1
Is anyone going to ask why City Council and the Mayor - now, not after the election when the balance shifts in the Council, are trying to let out the Billionaires Tunnel contracts before Election Day, given that 70 percent of Seattle voters don't want it and there has been no mandatory Federal EIS (since the seawall makes it part of a federal waterway)?
Posted by Will in Seattle http://www.facebook.com/WillSeattle on October 5, 2009 at 1:05 PM
2
Licata's "obstructionist" reputation comes from his votes and hard stances against transit (besides dirty buses). He fought light rail almost every step of the way, and he continues to fight the Seattle streetcar network.

Now that McIver is no longer going to be on the council, Licata is the only current council member who is fighting against expanding the streetcar network. He is even continuing to fight against the First Hill/Capitol Hill/International District streetcar, which is fully funded and was approved by voters last fall.

http://www.seattle.gov/council/licata/up…

Licata is the only reason we might not build the planned streetcars to Queen Anne, Ballard, and the University District.

http://www.seattlestreetcar.org/future.a…
Posted by kibbies on October 5, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Will in Seattle 3
the last two links for the SLOG article don't link, by the way. probably because you used spaces instead of hyphens is my guess
Posted by Will in Seattle http://www.facebook.com/WillSeattle on October 5, 2009 at 1:51 PM
4
I misworded my last sentence... Nick Licata is the only reason on the council why we might not get expanded transit. Joe Mallahan is the other reason, but I hope nobody here is voting for Mallahan.
Posted by kibbies on October 5, 2009 at 2:07 PM
5
...or just go to the meeting at Ballard High School today, and them yourselves and cut out that washed-up mag that's trying to be your big brother...
Posted by there's more to life than your 2 block radius on October 5, 2009 at 3:21 PM
Will in Seattle 6
nah, if people cared they'd sign up for free tix for the Mayoral Debate at the Downtown Seattle Public Library Gates Hall starting at 5:30 pm ...
Posted by Will in Seattle http://www.facebook.com/WillSeattle on October 5, 2009 at 4:38 PM
7
Im voting Licata either way. I LOVE the Seattle Process and the people who keep it around. It makes us special.
Posted by JesseJB on October 5, 2009 at 9:58 PM

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