And Then....

So here is what Seattle looks like, starting in 2010:

Mayor: Mike McGinn
City Attorney: Pete Holmes
City Council President: Richard Conlin
City Council:
Sally Clark
Tim Burgess
Tom Rasmussen
Sally Bagshaw
Nick Licata
Bruce Harrell
Jean Godden
Mike O'Brien

What an interesting mix. And issue number one: the budget.

I really think we're in for an interesting four years. Of the candidates up for re-election in two years, I would only guess that Bruce Harrell would be in any danger of a strong challenge, and CW is that Jean Godden retires, and Jessie Israel runs for that seat (maybe even against Dorsol Plants...ooooh, that would be an interesting race!)

But what do we do until then? Here's some things that I think are awesome possum.

The Tim Burgess Panhandling Ordinance - This is a.o.k. After a bit of watering down, we have a proposal that bans panhandling in front of ATM machines, to people getting in and out of cars, and no touching. A bit more in the way of definitions (what is the area around an ATM? Not to people getting in and out of cars, how many steps from the car before it's okay? What about people who just sit with a sign near where people may get in and out, is that the same as verbal panhandlers?) is needed, but this is a common sense bit of legislation. I was at an ATM just yesterday, and had a rather noisy panhandler shouting for cash to everyone who went to use it.

Small Parks (and I mean really small parks) - I love parks, I really do. I like that we have some pretty cool parks here in Seattle. Do I love parks more than libraries? Not so much. However, I don't want to see funding for either cut...but then there are those small parks. Those ones that take up half a block in either direction in the middle of a neighborhood. What if the city turned those over to the Neighborhood Councils? Allow the NC to arrange for basic maintenance (mowing and the like), and in exchange, any major renovations, when they're due and there's money, would have majority input from the NC.

Plastic Bags - I did not support the bag tax. Nope. Didn't like it. I thought it was too broad, with the paper bags being included, and was a bit off topic during a recession. However, I do agree that one thing we can and need to do as a city is lower our waste output, and overall, this is good economically. What about those fancy biodegradable plastic bags? Why not ban plastic bags, allow those biodegradable plastic bags, and require all paper bags be at least 75% post-consumer product? Give small businesses a few years to get into the swing of things, and *BAM!*, less non-biodegradable waste.

Public Safety - the gun ban is ridiculous. A great idea, sure, but completely unenforceable. Instead, let's work with the Legislature to make a minor change to that pesky RCW. And then ban guns in parks. Make it a misdemeanor to carry a gun in a park, and just add that on to any other crime being committed by someone carrying a gun in a park.

Music and Nightlife - Nowhere was this issue more prevelant than in the City Attorney's race. When asked at the Eastlake Community Council forum his opinion on some of the issues surrounding residences moving into traditionally commerical areas, Mr. Conlin hedged, stating that current noise ordinances should be enforced, and the city should work to help businesses better soundproof their facilities. Mr. Ginsberg called for exemptions to certain areas, specifically the Pike/Pine corridor on Capitol Hill, Pioneer Square and Belltown. Hell, even Mr. Rosencrantz (in a separate instance) brought up the idea of variable noise ordinances, depending on neighborhoods.

All of these miss out on one major point, and that is the indoor smoking ban, with the 25 foot buffer. Now, I am all for indoor smoking bans. Awesome. Fine. However, perhaps it is time for Olympia to revisit this initiative, and allow for outdoor areas that are confined by the business, where they can better keep an eye on their patrons. With the emphasis of mixing residences with nightlife, it is important that we start considering this issue, and look at ways to make sure that we can maintain a vibrant nightlife in this city, while also encouraging more people to live downtown, near where they work, and negating the need for cars.

We have plenty of other major issues coming down - transportation, the economy, taxes, wooing new employers, South Lake Union, sidewalks, violent crime. It's going to be a busy four years.