I believe we live around others because we all have a sense of community; an inter-connectedness that helps us shape our perspectives and self-purpose. All communities that aspire to improve their human conditions and the conditions of their environment need strong advocates. I have demonstrated my commitment to our community as a Councilmember and for over three decades as a community advocate.
No community is too big or too small. While I weigh in and vote on major capital projects such as the Alaskan Way Viaduct, Highway 520 and the 2-way Mercer Street improvements, I have also, while sitting as a member of the Puget Sound Regional Transportation Policy Board and PSRC Executive Committee, advocated and obtained $758,000 in funding for improvements to the Rainier Avenue/Jackson Street transit route to improve the Route 7 bus line and $245,467 in funding for the Mt. Baker station to improve safer crossing on Rainier Avenue south. These are communities often overlooked when it comes to capital investments.
Even on a more granular level, a handful of dedicated community activists in SE Seattle came to my office to express their 15 year frustration with a “right turn only” traffic sign in their neighborhood which made no sense at all. The intersection was 44th Avenue south and South Holly. It caused neighbors for years to drive blocks out of their way to simply reach their home in a quiet, residential setting. They gathered signatures, held community meetings and wrote letters; all to no avail. After hearing their voices, I became their advocate and got the sign removed.
When elderly residents of the Samuel Berry McKinney contacted my office to talk about the great need for temporary parking for the elderly and handicapped on Madison Street, I became their advocate and pressed for and obtained a workable solution such that the vulnerable residents did not have to wait in a potentially unsafe location for transportation. All they needed was a voice that could be heard.
When residents on the middle of the block on 37th SW Street between Morgan and SW Warsaw street in West Seattle contacted my office about their inability to get their streetlights fixed after 9 months of patiently waiting, we got them fixed. They needed a voice that could be heard.
These are but a few examples of what it means to be a community advocate. It means listening and fighting for effective solutions. A community can be a neighborhood, a business, an environmental organization, a union, a group of employees, a school…the point is, I am there to listen and help advocate for solutions that work.
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