Jessie Israel and Nick Licata are currently slugging it out in Electionland, answering your questions. Two candidates have entered, one candidate shall leave.

CB Seattle asks, "You both seem like good candidates but since we can't elect you both, what are the differences that would warrant you being elected over the other?"

Says Israel:

I think you can see our differences in everything we do - including how we're approaching this forum. He wants to talk and stall while we burn time, money and quality of life. I propose solutions. I move them forward in a pragmatic way.

There are big issues facing our community. And 12 years of the same kind of thinking has made these problems even bigger.

I propose adding 200 more cops because that puts us on par with other cities our size. Will it be hard: yes. But as Nick likes to say: he asks the tough questions.

So here's a tough answer: we need more cops in our neighborhoods NOW. The longer you wait, the tougher it will get.

Responds Licata:

There are real policy differences between us. On the environment I supported the bag fee and campaigned for it, while Jesse first opposed it and then later said she would support it. [...]

On public safety I do not want to build a new jail and have led the way in initiating and funding “pre-arrest” diversion programs that take former repeat offenders or those highly likely to break the law, and provide them the basics they need to stabilize their lives. I have worked with the police department, public defenders, community groups, human service providers and other Councilmembers to get three programs off the ground and running for the past 3 years. This approach has proven effect in reducing the need for building a new jail. On the other hand Jessie wants to hire 200 police officers immediately. Our police management would be the first to recognize that this proposal is unrealistic, not affordable, practical or even possible. The state runs the training classes and they limit how many can be processed. We cannot lower the quality of our hires to just ramp up. The dollars “saved” from not building a jail are capital funds not operational funds, which cannot pay for police officers. Overall this is the kind of shoot from the hip problem solving that belies an inexperienced approach to governing.

Comment and vote on their answers over HERE.