“I Don’t Believe I Said That.”

I saw on Twitter that Harrell said he does not think road diets are working. Any more context to this statement? What was the question? That’s a pretty big deal, considering the city’s road diets have consistently shown to increase safety while maintaining traffic flow. From what I can tell, there is no evidence to show they are in any way not working (other than politically, of course).

Great roundup – a lot of hard work went into this. Thanks.

Favorite was the closer.  “I don’t believe I said that” = look out, Mike.

Re #2 – While I wholeheartedly agree that none of the candidates should rest on their laurels, Mo and Bobby are not David Bloom, and Jean sure as hell is not Sally Bagshaw. 

Sally did an excellent job campaigning, is generally quite likeable, and had a significant fundraising advantage. 

Mo and Bobby are also quite likeable, and Mo has narrowed the war chest numbers.  Additionally, both are out there, every day, busting their asses in support of their campaigns (and Michael Taylor-Judd, for that matter). 

In short – these races are not comparable.  Hell, even when she wasn’t going to get support from an organization, Sally Bagshaw cares enough to still show up, and have a dialogue. 

Jean Godden apparently only cares if she thinks she’ll get support.  Yet more reason we need a new person in position one.  Someone who remembers that they represent all of the city, not just their base.

Re #2 – While I wholeheartedly agree that none of the candidates should rest on their laurels, Mo and Bobby are not David Bloom, and Jean sure as hell is not Sally Bagshaw. 

Sally did an excellent job campaigning, is generally quite likeable, and had a significant fundraising advantage. 

Mo and Bobby are also quite likeable, and Mo has narrowed the war chest numbers.  Additionally, both are out there, every day, busting their asses in support of their campaigns (and Michael Taylor-Judd, for that matter). 

In short – these races are not comparable.  Hell, even when she wasn’t going to get support from an organization, Sally Bagshaw cares enough to still show up, and have a dialogue. 

Jean Godden apparently only cares if she thinks she’ll get support.  Yet more reason we need a new person in position one.  Someone who remembers that they represent all of the city, not just their base.

I have to say I am saddened and disappointed that Rasmussen will face only token opposition now that Cioffi is bowing out.

Rasmussen works hard, and I respect the fact that many times when I call his office to complain, he answers the phone himself and is willing to talk for a long time. With all that said, he’s simply wrong on many of the issues. He does anything and everything the business establishment needs of him…and we already have enough of that on the Council.

Maurice Classen did really well last night at the LD’s. He’s got a particular mix of skills and background that is very effective. I think he’ll be great on the council.

At the 36th, Meacham looked lost when Harrell asked him how he would pay for his tunnel alternative. In response to the question about funding, Meacham said something like “it’s a political problem” and then said something like “there are revenue sources.” Really what would they be? He never answered the question. ”Pay for” is a phrase used on capital hill and its a realitiy in all aspects of government. Meacham seemed as if he had never thought about the funding side and realities of his policies.

I guess it depends on who you ask as to whether or not road diets are working. Safety may ne improved bit traffice congestion has worsened in some areas. Nickerson in particular. So it is a trade off. I hear SDOT wants to put a road diet on East Marginal. That seems somewhat ridiculous.

I guess it depends on who you ask as to whether or not road diets are working. Safety may ne improved bit traffice congestion has worsened in some areas. Nickerson in particular. So it is a trade off. I hear SDOT wants to put a road diet on East Marginal. That seems somewhat ridiculous.

Your dislike for Jean is well known, even though it is by no means representative of the electorate at large. But keep it up, by all means. Your frantic sockpuppetry for your empty suit candidate provides the campaign with some much needed amusement.

Your dislike for Jean is well known, even though it is by no means representative of the electorate at large. But keep it up, by all means. Your frantic sockpuppetry for your empty suit candidate provides the campaign with some much needed amusement.

Hey, it’s good to know that Jean has such strong support from Vashon voters.  Maybe she should move there?  It’s just really pathetic that she ignores groups of voters because they may not support her.  Weak-sauce.

And I don’t dislike Jean, I just know Seattle can do better.

Hey, it’s good to know that Jean has such strong support from Vashon voters.  Maybe she should move there?  It’s just really pathetic that she ignores groups of voters because they may not support her.  Weak-sauce.

And I don’t dislike Jean, I just know Seattle can do better.

Has congestion worsened? Do you have a link or evidence to support that?

Last I heard, traffic was moving just fine on Nickerson: http://publicola.com/2011/02/02/preliminary-data-show-nickerson-road-diet-is-working/

Has congestion worsened? Do you have a link or evidence to support that?

Last I heard, traffic was moving just fine on Nickerson: http://publicola.com/2011/02/02/preliminary-data-show-nickerson-road-diet-is-working/

Why not file for office yourself, then? Oh, wait!

You should talk to people who ACTUALLY DRIVE on Nickerson regularly and you will get a different perspective.

You should talk to people who ACTUALLY DRIVE on Nickerson regularly and you will get a different perspective.

the plural of anecdote is not data.

talking to people who hated the idea beforehand is not the same thing as measuring the traffic actually happening.

So is talking to people who liked the idea beforehand. SDOT’s Eric Widstrand is well known as a pimp for road diets. Accepting his data without question is equally self-reinforcing.  

The 36th district forum was the best one I have attended in years. Tough and information. The yes/no questions were really interesting, but too quick. Is there video somewhere?

The 36th district forum was the best one I have attended in years. Tough and information. The yes/no questions were really interesting, but too quick. Is there video somewhere?

That should be “tough and informative.”

That should be “tough and informative.”

so in the absence of any actual evidence of your own, you just call city employees “pimps” who are lying to the public? Nice.

so in the absence of any actual evidence of your own, you just call city employees “pimps” who are lying to the public? Nice.

fount – as a proud taxpayer and resident of Vashon Island, Ivan Weiss is an expert of the current needs of Seattle.  Duh.

Nothing to do with anything but the picture, but:

Is imagery of the space needle in the public domain?  I mean did Jean Godden have to get permission to use it or is it just such a common reference to the city that anyone can use it?

Anyone who had to deal with Widstrand during the public input process for the Fauntleroy road diet knows what I’m talking about. You two clowns most certainly don’t. I drive north on 35th now, where I can at least move at the posted speed limit. 

Can Harrell explain where the missing $400 million from tolling and the Port’s $300 million will come from?  Can he explain who will pay cost overruns when state law puts Seattle taxpayers on the hook?

Can Harrell explain where the missing $400 million from tolling and the Port’s $300 million will come from?  Can he explain who will pay cost overruns when state law puts Seattle taxpayers on the hook?

According to AG McKenna the overrun provision is unenforceable. Gregoire has also said something to the effect that is not the intent of that provision. Plus why does everyone assume there is going to be overruns? Position by hypothetical is very unique.

According to AG McKenna the overrun provision is unenforceable. Gregoire has also said something to the effect that is not the intent of that provision. Plus why does everyone assume there is going to be overruns? Position by hypothetical is very unique.

First, you didn’t touch the $700 million she mentioned that is, in fact, very uncertain.

Next, it doesn’t really matter who says what about the specific cost overruns provision. What matters is that the State’s contribution is capped — so who does pay if we go over?

Finally, you’re right, I guess it is fiscally prudent to hope strongly that this project will be the first major tunneling project in a hundred years that doesn’t go over budget. It won’t be like Brightwater. For some reason.

As far as “position by hypothetical,” this is what budget writers do: they use various scenarios to understand the cost implications of multiple possible outcomes.

First, you didn’t touch the $700 million she mentioned that is, in fact, very uncertain.

Next, it doesn’t really matter who says what about the specific cost overruns provision. What matters is that the State’s contribution is capped — so who does pay if we go over?

Finally, you’re right, I guess it is fiscally prudent to hope strongly that this project will be the first major tunneling project in a hundred years that doesn’t go over budget. It won’t be like Brightwater. For some reason.

As far as “position by hypothetical,” this is what budget writers do: they use various scenarios to understand the cost implications of multiple possible outcomes.

Okay, so you don’t support the tunnel –

what do you support, and identify its funding source, please.

The initial burden should be on project proponents to show how they’re going to pay for it. By that criteria, the DBT is DOA.

Once that fact is obvious (like when the borer breaks, gets stuck, or causes $1/4 billion in damage to downtown buildings–or how about the total lack of $ for transit to relieve the surface congestion resulting from the DBT), we’ll have to figure out where money is coming from to “dig us out of that hole.” With a D legislature that might as well be R, and/or an R governor coming right up, that will mean less $ for state health care, schools, highways anywhere off the Seattle waterfront, etc. Or just leave the mess unfinished. Great alternative.

In all seriousness, Ivan, what would you say if an incumbent did not even bother to show up at the 34th District Endorsement meeting?

I think Classen would be great as a member of Seattle City Council. He seems really genuine and passionate about the change he wants to make!

Let’s look at this with some rough probability analysis. Say for the sake of arguement that there is a 50% chance of overruns (some educated people have analyzed this project); then say, again for the sake of arguement, that there is a 50% chance the provision is enforceable (some influential legal minds have said that Seattle is not on the hook). That means there is a 25%  (50% x 50%) chance the city will get stuck with the bill. If you are basing your decisions on an event with a 25% likelihood of occuring Vegas is just waiting for your arrival.

 As usual Publicola doesn’t know how to report on the kickiest politics in town: seattle school board races. The 43rd was quite the scene. You did report on Martin eviscerating Carr. Martin’s speech was not just angry. It was downright amusing to see someone cut through the glossy veneer of ‘we’re doing it for the kids’ and call the board on its shoddy governance and too-cozy relationships with big nonprofits and big businesses in town. But that wasn’t the best part.

The best part was Position 3 consideration. First, 43rd LD Big Man Michael Maddox spread the word he was withdrawing his surprise last-minute candidacy in the Position 3 race. He seemed to be now supporting challenger Michelle Buetow, who in turn seemed surprised by the move. Then the room witnessed the seattle teacher’s union SEA try to sneak its newly minted candidate  and ex-SEA head John Dunn into consideration for endorsement, though he had applied after a deadline. Current teacher’s Union VP John Knapp showed up and worked the room on behalf of labor before and during the meeting, ultimately holding the whole agenda up for 10 minutes maneuvering to get his man on the ballot. The crowd finally rejected the union’s bid and considered endorsement only between incumbent Harium MartinMorris and challenger Buetow. Buetow then socked it to MartinMorris and ultimately got the endorsement. Everyone involved appeared shellshocked. It was far better political drama than Council Position 1, whose candidates now appear to be the equivalent of a roving cocktail party, jovially moving together from venue to venue.

Incumbents know better than to skip the 34th.

you’re so wrong. The intent of the provision is clear and it puts down a marker on which later they can enact more laws to implement it, duh.  the state legislators who like it LAUGHED at the notion they wouldn’t enforce it.   it’s backed up by the cap on the state contribution.  what gregoire said was she would veto any subsequent implementing legislation; now like sims and nickels she’ll be gone, too making that a hollow promise.

you’re so wrong. The intent of the provision is clear and it puts down a marker on which later they can enact more laws to implement it, duh.  the state legislators who like it LAUGHED at the notion they wouldn’t enforce it.   it’s backed up by the cap on the state contribution.  what gregoire said was she would veto any subsequent implementing legislation; now like sims and nickels she’ll be gone, too making that a hollow promise.

take down the viaduct, then STOP doing ANYTHING.  That’s the cheapest.  We all agree on that part.  There consensus ends.  If you travel time gets too long to be enjoyable, move your damn houshold insteasd of asking the state taxpayers to throw down billions of dollars to provide $50K of capital improvement for each one of the 45K cars a day whose travel times are improved by a DBT, at the expense of everyone else.  It’s just a bad road project qua road project on top of killing the planet and draining public resources from other things (yes, it is all our money and yes the Gods didn’t ordain the gas tax fund and yes one day wee will change it and yes one day we will cut DBTs before we cut teachers and basic health).

take down the viaduct, then STOP doing ANYTHING.  That’s the cheapest.  We all agree on that part.  There consensus ends.  If you travel time gets too long to be enjoyable, move your damn houshold insteasd of asking the state taxpayers to throw down billions of dollars to provide $50K of capital improvement for each one of the 45K cars a day whose travel times are improved by a DBT, at the expense of everyone else.  It’s just a bad road project qua road project on top of killing the planet and draining public resources from other things (yes, it is all our money and yes the Gods didn’t ordain the gas tax fund and yes one day wee will change it and yes one day we will cut DBTs before we cut teachers and basic health).

actually dude, the way it works is cities that take on a 25% chance of a huge monstrous bill are deemed reckless; just like you rolling the dice on a 3/4 chance you won’t lose your home would be a reckless parent.  The core of the mortgage meltdown was the real risk of default was 25% not the traditional 0.005 percent — you just proved everything we’ve been saying ….when there is a 50% chance of overruns there is a 25% chance of a 100% overrun combined with the 25% chance of enforceability means the city has a 1 in 8 chance of being liable for two billion dollars more?  that’s criminally insane, you just made our case.

actually dude, the way it works is cities that take on a 25% chance of a huge monstrous bill are deemed reckless; just like you rolling the dice on a 3/4 chance you won’t lose your home would be a reckless parent.  The core of the mortgage meltdown was the real risk of default was 25% not the traditional 0.005 percent — you just proved everything we’ve been saying ….when there is a 50% chance of overruns there is a 25% chance of a 100% overrun combined with the 25% chance of enforceability means the city has a 1 in 8 chance of being liable for two billion dollars more?  that’s criminally insane, you just made our case.

Nothing about what you described sounds remotely interesting. 

Nothing about what you described sounds remotely interesting. 

Yeah, because the 34th endorsement has been so helpful over the last couple years.

That’s because you are too busy with your faux ennui affect to appreciate the grittyness of grassroots politics. I’m sure that when you talk to yourself in the mirror it’s a much more interesting conversation.

We clearly have different views on this.  I don’t think anyone who’s been coming around for the last few months were in any way surprised by the outcome of the endorsement race.  Clearly, based on the massive opposition to SEA’s attempted delay tactic, and the membership’s overwhelming support of Michelle, there was no reason for anyone to appear shell shocked.

As for position 2 – Yeah, Kate gave a meandering, highly negative speech, read directly from her notepad.  But Sherry still received over 50% of the vote, and I believe Kate was stuck in the low to mid 30′s – not even enough support for reconsideration. 

It was definitely a contentious part of the meeting, and I agree that the school board races deserve more coverage, if only to ensure accurate reporting of events.

First, to whittle it down further what are the odds on the size of an overun of any material amount in addition to the fact that there just might not be any. Second, McKenna has said that the provision is not enforceable and what are the odds that he or Inslee, one of the two will be the next governor, will want to stick it to Seattle and insure that they are only 1 term governors?

If cheap restaurants can use it, and they do, anyone can.  There may be a trademarked image but only that specific image would be trademarked, not every depiction of the Needle. 

It has in all cases but one.

It has in all cases but one.

It has in all cases but one.

It has in all cases but one.

I ACTUALLY DRIVE on Nickerson every day and I think traffic’s improved as a result of the road diet. Before the diet, I was always either getting stuck in the left lane waiting for a car to turn left, or slowed way down in the right lane behind a bike (N.B. I am not meaning to imply that this was the bicyclist’s fault, it’s an inevitable result of not having bike lanes). The result was that cars were always having to slow down, speed up and switch lanes; which was both unsafe and caused traffic congestion.
The road diet solved these problems. Now there’s a left turn lane and bike lanes so that the rest of traffic can keep moving at a constant, safe speed (on some of the downhill sections, the bike lane becomes a shared lane, but it’s not a problem because bikes move faster down hill and the lanes are wider now and cars can safely use the left turn lane as a passing buffer). The only place that there’s a still daily congestion is around the Fremont bridge, where they didn’t put in a road diet. Also,it’s good for pedestrian safety and for local businesses (I’m much more likely to go across the street for coffee now that I don’t have to walk two blocks out of my way to get to a crosswalk).
So there you go Jogilvie. My anecdotal evidence cancels out your anecdotal evidence. So maybe instead of tossing around anecdotes, we should actually look at those studies that repeatedly show that the road diets improve safety and traffic flow.

I’m with UncleJesse. His report is better and more interesting than Publicola’s.

Wilson Chin, Mary Bass, Robert Rosencrantz, David Bloom, Dorsol Plants, Greg Nickels, Tom Carr, David Ginsberg…you’re right, Ivan.  Great track record.

Rasmussen would still have faced only token opposition if Cioffi had stayed in.

I saw her speak and she just hadn’t figured out a theme for her campaign. You have to have a spark and some ideas right up front. Sandy never delivered.

Rasmussen would still have faced only token opposition if Cioffi had stayed in.

I saw her speak and she just hadn’t figured out a theme for her campaign. You have to have a spark and some ideas right up front. Sandy never delivered.

Buetow 49, Martin-Morris 11, No Endorsement (Dunn) 14: I’d agree that’s overwhelming.

Don’t play games with somebody who knows more than you do. Most of those were dual endorsements, and the candidate who won also was endorsed. Every district has those quirks.

Is Classen the one whose dad stabbed his mother to death in the face with scissors? That’s a lot of psychological baggage…. Doesn’t concern you? 

He’s running just to run…The candidates agree on everything…. 

At least we know he’s never used a whites-only water fountain. (Because, y’know, he’s not antediluvian)

At least we know he’s never used a whites-only water fountain. (Because, y’know, he’s not antediluvian)

You don’t know if it’s true or not, but it’s of concern to you?

Shouldn’t you figure out if it’s actually true before casting a dubious psychological baggage stone?

” If you travel time gets too long to be enjoyable, move your damn houshold insteasd of asking the state taxpayers to throw down billions of dollars to provide $50K of capital improvement for each one of the 45K cars a day whose travel times are improved by a DBT, at the expense of everyone else.”

Yeah screw those poor Somalis in High Point for having the audacity to live somewhere that’s impacted by a tunnel you don’t like. They can just move their damn households somewhere else.

Harium Martin-Morris might not even get out of the primary – and he deserves to lose. His performance as Board Director has been abyssmal.

I’m not the biggest fan of road diets myself, but time and again I’ve taken buses and walked along Nickerson… and traffic along the entire route looks fine to me.  I don’t see any congestion.