Take 21 » C.R. Douglas

On Ask the Mayor, McGinn pledges to follow voters on tunnel

george — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 20:19:27 +0000

In the latest edition of Ask the Mayor, host C.R. Douglas asks Mayor Mike McGinn what he will do if voters approve Referendum One, a ballot measure concerning the replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a tunnel (it will appear on August 16^th primary election ballot). “If the public takes a look at all the risks and costs of this tunnel and says, ‘It’s worth it, we want to go ahead,’ I’ll follow their will,” McGinn says. “I live and die by the voters.” The Mayor also wants the City Council to follow his lead. If the people of Seattle vote “No” on the referendum, McGinn hopes that the City Council will heed that result and halt the City’s cooperation with the state of Washington to build the tunnel.

The City Council finds the upcoming referendum vote to be irrelevant to their decision to build the tunnel, but Mayor McGinn urges them to acknowledge the political weight of the election. “It is a referendum on the tunnel. Those people who went out to collect signatures want to protect Seattle. ‘Protect Seattle Now’ is the name of their campaign, and that’s why people signed the referendum and that’s why people put it up for vote.”

The Mayor continues to have strong concerns about cost overruns on the tunnel project. “I’m not going to put Seattle at the risk of cost overruns without permission from the voters,” he says. Additionally, McGinn expresses his concern over the benefits of a tunnel. He argues that the expense of the project is unjustifiable, given the amount of use a new tunnel would receive. “It’ll be used by 38,000 cars, less than the Ballard Bridge. There are no downtown exits…If we’re going to spend money; we should spend money on something that will actually deliver results.” McGinn also argues that while the state says it will fund the project, it does not mean that the state currently has the financial wherewithal to back up its promise. He says, “The state doesn’t even have all the money; they don’t know that they can raise money for it.”

That’s only one of the exciting topics discussed on the latest episode of Ask the Mayor! Check out the whole episode http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=3011105. And be sure to call 206-684-8821 with your question on Tuesday, June 28^th, 7 p.m. or email askthemayor@seattle.gov anytime.

Conlin: referendum not for or against tunnel

george — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 20:18:52 +0000

On the most recent episode of “City Inside/Out: Council Edition,” Seattle City Councilmembers discuss Referendum One, which is about the tunnel replacement for the Alaskan Way Viaduct, that will appear on August 16’s primary election ballot in the City of Seattle. Currently there is debate about what the referendum means. In general, referendum supporters say it is an up-or-down vote on the plan to replace the viaduct with a deep-bore tunnel under downtown. Referendum opponents, however, say it’s not clear what the ballot measure means.

Council President Conlin, says Referendum One’s wording will prevent it from making an impact on the City Council’s final decision. He states, “What we have is two sentences from a 140-page ordinance that’s on the ballot. And the two sentences basically describe the process whereby the council will make a decision… I don’t know how you interpret that process decision as a referendum for or against the tunnel.”

Host C.R. Douglas presses Conlin further on the issue. “The mayor says he’ll listen to this vote [on the referendum]. If the people say yes to the tunnel, he’ll drop his opposition. He is challenging you to say if the people vote against this tunnel, you ought to drop your opposition to him. Will you abide by this public vote?”

Conlin replies, “The mayor said during his campaign that he would not stand in the way of the tunnel that had been adopted by the council and [former Mayor Greg Nickels] as the preferred alternative. I guess the answer to that is, ‘Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.’”

Councilmember Burgess says the voters should also understand that the Mayor’s preference for a surface/transit alternative has drawbacks, saying, “I think that it’s very important for the people of Seattle to understand what [the Mayor’s] position is. And that position is that we should take down the viaduct and do nothing else, and replace ten lanes of traffic with just four lanes of traffic. That is going to lead to massive gridlock in our city and ruin downtown as a pedestrian destination.”

The council believes its support of the tunnel comes from a thorough ten year investigation of alternatives, and that the tunnel option is the only realistic choice remaining after researching a large number of options. As government officials elected by the people of Seattle, they maintain that they are acting in the best interests of their constituents. Conlin says that they are fulfilling their “responsibility to do what [they] think is right.” Councilmember Bagshaw echoes this statement by saying, “We are listening. We are voted by the people to make decisions, and that is what this council is doing.”

Watch the full episode now: http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=3341106. Send your questions for the next City Inside/Out: Council Edition to contact@seattlechannel.org.

Mayors Say the Darndest Things

george — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 20:26:53 +0000

Live, call-in, unscripted interviews with political leaders make great TV because the politicians say surprising and interesting things. Just last month on Ask the Mayor, Mayor Mike McGinn admitted he frequently uses and likes the viaduct. “When I pick up somebody from the airport I come in [on State Route] 99. The view from the top deck [of the Alaska Way Viaduct] is spectacular,” he said. “I live in Greenwood, I live a few blocks from 99. I don’t get on I-5; I get on 99 when I’m running to places.”

This doesn’t mean that the mayor has changed his mind about tearing down the viaduct. He explained, “The fact of the matter is we know it’s unsafe.”

Will the mayor surprise you with his answer to your question? You can only find out by calling 206-684-8821 on Tuesday, June 28, 7 p.m. and talking to Mayor McGinn and SEATTLE CHANNEL host C.R. Douglas. Or email your question by replying to this email or writing to askthemayor@seattle.gov anytime the inspiration strikes you. You can also send the mayor questions on SEATTLE CHANNEL’s Facebook or TWITTER accounts.

Also watch past episodes now by visiting http://www.seattlechannel.org/AskTheMayor/.

What’s Your Question for Mayor Mike McGinn?

george — Fri, 20 May 2011 21:29:40 +0000

Don’t miss your chance to talk to Mayor Mike McGinn! Why did the Mayor hire bike advocate David Hiller for his staff? Why does McGinn want to turn a former Lake City firehouse into a homeless shelter? Why are private companies paying for more streetcar service in South Lake Union?

Whatever your question is, on Wednesday, May 25, 7:00 p.m., call 206-684-8821 and talk to Mayor McGinn and SEATTLE CHANNEL host C.R. Douglas. Or email your question to askthemayor@seattle.gov anytime the inspiration strikes you. You can also send the mayor questions on SEATTLE CHANNEL’s Facebook or TWITTER accounts. Be a part of Seattle’s civic conversation!

In last month’s show, Mayor McGinn said, “I don’t care how people get around. If they choose to drive, they choose to drive. I can’t get my wife out of a car, so I’m not going to try to get other people out of their cars either.” Watch it now at http://www.seattlechannel.org/AskTheMayor/.

Housing the Poor and Homeless on City Inside/Out

george — Fri, 06 May 2011 23:27:51 +0000

It used to be that Seattle’s homeless found shelter and support almost entirely in downtown facilities. But in recent years, more and more low-income housing and social services have been dispersed in neighborhoods across the city. The reason? The expense of downtown real estate and the sense that the homeless problem is citywide. This week, City Inside/Out with host C.R. Douglas takes up this growing trend and gauges neighborhood reaction. First, we travel to Ballard and look at how one community is struggling with these changes. Then, we take the discussion into our studio with Downtown Emergency Service Center’s Bill Hobson, Aurora Avenue Merchants Association’s Faye Garneau, Compass Housing Alliance’s Rick Freidhoff and Ballard Preservation Association’s Dave Jarrell.

We ask: Who is moving into this new housing? Why do some in neighborhoods oppose it so strongly that they are suing? Will non-profits saturate neighborhoods with subsidized housing? Is there common ground between neighborhoods, merchants and housing providers?

Watch the program right now: http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=3061118

Or if you’d prefer, watch it on TV, Friday, May 6, 7:00 p.m., SEATTLE CHANNEL, Cable 21.

Talk to Your City Council!

george — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 18:51:18 +0000

What are your questions for Seattle City Councilmembers? Does the Council support City Attorney Pete Holmes’ legal challenge to a referendum on the deep-bore tunnel? Why did the Council vote to allow taller buildings in Pioneer Square? What is the Council doing about Mayor McGinn’s proposal to site a permanent homeless encampment in the industrial neighborhood of SODO?

This episode of City Inside/Out: Council Edition features Councilmembers Nick Licata, Mike O’Brien and Jean Godden answering your questions. And you can be sure that host C.R. Douglas will have a question or two of his own!

Whatever your question is, if you want it answered on TV, you have to email contact@seattlechannel.org. You can also submit your questions or watch past episodes by visiting the City Inside/Out: Council Edition website, http://www.seattlechannel.org/CouncilEdition/.

Don’t miss this opportunity to put your issues before the City’s lawmakers! Email right now! Then tune in Wednesday, May 11, 7:00 p.m. on SEATTLE CHANNEL, Cable 21, to get answers.

Cop Cameras on City Inside/Out

george — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 18:44:21 +0000

Cop cameras: More and more police departments across the country are mounting recording devices directly on officers to capture their interactions with citizens. After a string of high profile cases involving police use of force, many, including Seattle Police Chief John Diaz, say it is time to use cop cams in Seattle. But others, including the ACLU of Washington, say concerns about privacy and the potential for tampering with the technology should keep cop cams out of the city.

This week, City Inside/Out takes up the debate. We begin by taking a trip across the water to Bainbridge Island and visiting one local police department that has already brought cop cameras onboard. Our studio guests are Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell, American Civil Liberties Union of Washington Deputy Director Jennifer Shaw, Seattle Police Officers Guild President Rich O’Neill and Seattle Human Rights Commission Chair Roslyn Solomon.

Our cameras are always rolling! City Inside/Out, Friday, April 29, 7:00 p.m., SEATTLE CHANNEL, Cable 21 or right here on http://www.seattlechannel.org/. Did you see last week’s program about the legal issues surrounding the ballot measures on the deep-bore tunnel? Watch it now by visiting http://www.seattlechannel.org/CityInsideOut/.

What’s Your Question for Mayor McGinn?

george — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 18:00:05 +0000

Don’t miss your chance to talk to Mayor Mike McGinn! Why is the U.S. Department of Justice investigating the Seattle Police Department over allegations of “excessive force and discriminatory policing?” Will Seattle be voting on initial funding of light rail from West Seattle to Ballard? What’s the latest on the Mayor’s Nightlife Initiative? On Wednesday, April 27, 7:00 p.m. call 206-684-8821 and talk to the mayor. If you can’t call then, call 206-684-8821 anytime (right now for instance!) and have your question recorded for the show. Or email your question by replying to this email or writing to askthemayor@seattle.gov anytime the inspiration strikes you. You can also ask the mayor a question on SEATTLE CHANNEL’s Facebook or TWITTER accounts! Don’t miss your opportunity to raise your questions to the mayor. Also watch past episodes now by visiting http://www.seattlechannel.org/AskTheMayor/.

Tunnel Votes? on City Inside/Out

george — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 17:53:22 +0000

Two ballot measures regarding the proposed deep-bore tunnel have gathered enough signatures to qualify for a vote this fall. Referendum 1 seeks to undo the recent tunnel agreements between the City of Seattle and the State of Washington. Initiative 101 would prohibit the use of any city rights-of-way for tunnel construction or operation. Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes has challenged both measures’ legality in court.

This week, City Inside/Out delves into the legal debate over the “tunnel votes.” Will the courts rule on the ballot measures’ legality before or after a vote by the people? Can the state’s tunnel be stopped by Seattle voters? How much of the tunnel project can go forward before the final environmental-impact statement is completed this summer. We hear the points-of-view of Governor Chris Gregoire, Referendum 1 spokesperson Drew Paxton, City Council President Richard Conlin, Initiative 101 sponsor Elizabeth Campbell, Environmental Attorney David Bricklin and others.

Smarter than Court TV, more fun than reading legal briefs: City Inside/Out, Friday, April 22, 7:00 p.m., SEATTLE CHANNEL, Cable 21 or right here on http://www.seattlechannel.org/. Did you see last week’s program about ex-offenders’ problems finding housing and jobs? Watch it now by visiting http://www.seattlechannel.org/CityInsideOut/.

Earthquakes: Are We Ready?

george — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 18:22:18 +0000

Is Seattle prepared? As Japan works to recover from a devastating earthquake and tsunami, there is a new focus on just how ready Seattle is for a natural disaster of that magnitude. It’s been ten years since our region last had a major shake. This week on City Inside/Out, we explore just how likely we are to experience an earthquake like Japan, what city officials have done to prepare and how individuals should get ready. What do we know about the “Seattle fault” that underlies the Emerald City? What changes have City officials made since the Nisqually earthquake of 2001? What are the seismic standards in Seattle’s building code?

Joining us in the studio to answer these questions and more are University of Washington seismologist Bill Steele, Seattle Office of Emergency Management Director Barb Graff and Seattle Department of Planning and Development Principal Engineer Jon Siu.

We will make your brain shake, rattle and roll—in a good way. City Inside/Out, Friday, April 8, 7:00 p.m., SEATTLE CHANNEL, Cable 21 or right here on http://www.seattlechannel.org/. Did you see last week’s program about teen sex trafficking? Watch it now by visiting http://www.seattlechannel.org/CityInsideOut/.