We Don't, But If We Did (Nov. 3rd)

Well here we are again, another election nearly behind us. It’s been a grueling 8 or so months and I don’t know about you, but I’ll just be glad when it’s over.

It feels like each election cycle (local or national) is more intense than the one before it- so much is at stake and the overall awareness of how politics impacts the people (and how the people impact politics) seems to have taken hold of a critical yet divided mass of people. There are always at least two sides to an issue, and there’s always the candidate we love versus the candidate that makes us see, red, or black out, or vomit in our mouths, or foresee the end of days if elected to office.

Campaign season doesn’t necessarily bring out the best in people, but it does show who has resolve, who has appeal, who has support to be entrusted with the honor of moving into office. I’ve been pretty vocal this election season, so I doubt much of what I say is going to be a surprise, but, then again, you never know.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; we don’t endorse candidates here on the SV, because, welp, they’re gonna get into office and screw it all up anyway- the question is really who has the best recovery and is mostly likely to learn and get better.

Port of Seattle Position 3

Rob Holland

Everyone that I have ever talked to about Rob Holland says that he’s a stand up guy and would be great for the Port of Seattle. He has had some low blow campaign attacks come his way from his opponent David Doud, and handled them well.

There was the matter of the McGinn ad and whether Holland did or did not give consent for a picture of himself with MicGinn to be used in a tv ad for the Mayoral candidate. He did. Holland says he didn’t understand the context in which the picture would be used (seemingly an endorsement for McGinn), and thus told the media he didn’t give permission for the pick to be used. He did give permission. That was lame. Like, Almost Live “Laaaaaaaaaaaaaame” lame.

But not damning.

Doud on the other hand, welp, seems to be kind of a jerk- as do some that work for his campaign. I’m tired of jerkiness, that’s childish. I say we have adults run the Port.

Seattle City Council Position 4

David Bloom. It’s likely he won’t win this seat, and that’s a travesty.

Seattle City Council Position 6

Forget Mary, there’s something about Jessie Israel. She is either the best thing that could happen to the city council or she could wind up being a complete nightmare- and really that’s up to her. She has to make sure she doesn’t jump her own shark. Something I’m sure- at least I hope- that she is aware of. I’d love to see her on Seattle City Council. At least I think I would.

Others have valid concerns about her interractions with unions and just how far she’d go in support of the arts. As I said, valid. We’re a union friendly city, county and state, and I was raised in the arts, so… not a good look Jessie.

Seattle City Council Position 8

Bobby Forch. Write it in. Oh, I’m not joking. I said Bobby Forch; write. it. in.

Seattle School Board District 5

Mary Bass or Kay Smith-Blum. Really folks, it’s a toss-up. One could argue that while Mary Bass is incomparable to her child advocacy efforts, that she is less effective (and respected) as a member of the Board. Smith-Blum might have a better chance at working to get things done with fellow Board members, and she’s chalk full of great ideas. But are ideas enough? If parents or students are having problems in the district, nine times out of ten Mary Bass is there. She has strong relationships in the community that, I suspect, won’t easily transfer to a new Board member. With so few effect resources for parents and students in Seattle Schools, what do we do? That’s for you to decide.

Seattle School Board District 1

Betty Patu and Wilson Chin. Oh boy.

It’s without question that Betty Patu will use her position on the Board to advocate for teachers and students, particularly marginalized and downright ignored populations. That’s always a plus. But does she have the temperament to deal with the Board as a larger body, and the process, which is a nightmare? I’on’t know.

I expect Betty will raise a little bit of hell. Given the state of the District- why not? Sometimes that’s just what’s needed.