Seattle Channel WCV Debate
June 13, 2012

http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/vid…

Question to the candidates:
69:50: How would you assess the impact of the Puget Sound Partnership? We founded a state organization to help clean up Puget Sound. I think three years ago, what you have them do differently?

72:58/Linde Knighton: “I’m going to make good on a campaign promise. I don’t know enough about the Puget Sound Partnership to talk about it. I need to learn from you, what Puget Sound Partnership is.”

Noel: “I like that. You know, I want to honor that actually. I really try to be straightforward in these debates. I am not a politician. I recruit people to run for public office for a living. I know what they look like, but I try not to be one.”

“And you to that end. The Puget Sound Partnership, they’ve only been around for five years, they hit it, a downturn, but beyond that, I think they are doing some good stuff and they need to move forward. I too, am not well versed on that particular institution or that organization as I should be to sufficiently answer this question. Thank you Linde. This is why I like her in debates. You’re delightful. Thank you.”

Gael: “In our communities and at the Port of Seattle, the Puget Sound Partnership, People for Puget Sound, Puget Sound Keepers Alliance, Cascade Bicycle Club, so many groups have worked to make the Puget Sound Partnership impact towards what is its potential. I equate the Puget Sound Partnership to a start up. The first few years you are really revved and getting enthused, and you’re really hopeful, and then you hit major obstacles. The major obstacle for Puget Sound Partnerships is they have no local authority to influence decisions of local elected bodies.”

Again, Tarleton has been consistent on the coal train issue for months. We're glad her opponent finally did her homework. Welcome to the debate, we're glad you've finally arrived. From where we sit, it's clear Gael's opponent still has more homework to do on the key environmental issues facing our region.

When Gael Tarleton says "not one public dime" for fossil fuels or coal, that means she's opposed to coal and coal trains. She has met with environmental leaders in the community who say they want a regional environmental impact review of the coal industry on the state to document the industry's full impact on our communities. She supports the environmental community's action plan on this issue. The pro-coal proponents are opposed to a regional review of the industry that would document the footprint of the industry on the entire state, not just Seattle. The city of Seattle has the authority and jurisdiction to call for an expanded review of the environmental footprint that includes Seattle and other urban cities like Spokane also suffering from the coal train problem.

It's great to see the the mayor step up to the plate and offer his leadership today to call for a regional approach to tackle this problem that includes ALL community leaders. And Gael will certainly be there to lend her leadership, experience and knowledge on this issue.

Gael has a proven record at the Port launching clean fuels at the airport and seaport while ensuring the Port meets clean air standards two years ahead of the EPA mandate. She has served as an advisor to Al Gore's commission on global climate change and the U.S. Dept. of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to grow the region's clean energy economy.

None of these efforts have been a secret. They have been a part of Tarleton's ongoing dialogue with community leaders every step of the way as this issue evolves.