Much as we like King County Parks manager Jessie Israel and admire her rock-star confidence for challenging a popular three-term incumbent, PubliCola’s vote is with incumbent Nick Licata.
Israel’s main rap against Licata is that he’s been an obstructionist on the council, holding down the losing end of 8-1 votes. Licata’s response—and we think it’s a convincing one—is twofold. First, he readily (and proudly) acknowledges that he opposes ideas that he thinks are bad for the city, a category that usually includes big-ticket infrastructure items that put the city’s basic commitments to the rest of the city at risk. (Think: The $300 million Mercer project; the $50 million South Lake Union streetcar; the controversial $6.7 million Woodland Park Zoo parking garage. And most of all—subsidizing the wealthy Paul Allen in South Lake Union.)
And for the record, several of Licata’s council colleagues have actually been on the losing end of otherwise unanimous votes more often than him.
Second—and more compelling—Licata has long list of things he has accomplished, from the creation of the Urban Forest Commission to the redefinition of “low-income” in the housing levy (also on this year’s general-election ballot), to a master plan for the Arboretum, to adding more cops to the beat, to a branch library proposal that won buyoff from the neighborhoods, to—perhaps his greatest accomplishment—enacting real police accountability measures.
Fundamentally, we believe the council needs someone like Licata whose office door is always open to the disenfranchised. Licata stands up for the little guy, low-income people, and the downtrodden as a consistent, and often effective, voice for poor people’s interests. (He led a sustained and successful fight against the discriminatory car impound ordinance.)
And even when he’s out of whack with PubliCola’s principles (opposing light rail; speaking out against density in neighborhoods) Licata provides a thoughtful, informed voice for the loyal opposition. The result? Fairer legislation, especially on proposals he initially opposes, but works honestly to amend. For that reason alone he deserves your vote.
PubliCola picks Nick Licata.
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No endorsements from 1:09 to 2:28 PM? What’d you do, go on lunch? I’ve been refreshing the page all afternoon.
@1,
I Love New York Deli. Pike Place Market. $3.29 for a roast beef sandwich.
$3.29 for a roast beef sandwich?
I ENDORSE THAT!
@2
Roast beef sandwich for Mayor!
4. SECONDED. I am writing in $3.29 Roast Beef Sandwich.
Write in Heidi Wills!
Ummmmm, back to topic at hand…
I’m voting for Licata too, and largely for the same rationale as provided by the Publicola folks. City government badly needs a few contrarians like him. So what if he’s on losing end of a few 8-1 votes? The desire of some for absolute unaminimous consensus is just an example of misguided Seattle processitis — which usually gives way to groupthink. I may not want Licata as mayor, but he fills an important role on the council.
Please, folks — “And for the record, several of Licata’s council colleagues have actually been on the losing end of otherwise unanimous votes more often than him.”
It’s more often than he.
Yes – even people without driver’s licenses should be allowed to drive away in their cars.
This is Seattle, one of the last bastions where “the right to drive” is considered a civil right!
jessie Israel is talented, smart, and sure as hell ain’t no slouch. I think she’ll bring a lot of new energy to a tired old council, and God knows they can use some shaking up (besides their espresso-flavored Ensure)
Go Jessie!
Growthephuqueup, Stinky(9) ‘n’ Max(10). Sounds like a preschool cartoon show. As do your insightful posts.