 "Photo: Braden VanDragt | The Spectator")
Mike McGinn
One of Mike McGinn’s most salient—and often attacked—goals for his time as mayor is his plan to provide every home and business in the city with a next-generation fiber optic Internet connection. He says this step will increase Seattle’s competitiveness and attract jobs.
McGinn also plans to improve the school system and, if necessary after two years, to take over for the school board.
In terms of transportation, McGinn has flip-flopped on his previous position to oppose the Viaduct tunnel no matter what. He now says he will support the tunnel option if he is elected. He also wants to expand the light rail and focus on local transit services.
McGinn’s economic focus is on green jobs. He says the current economic crisis is an opportunity both to create living wage jobs and clean up the environment.
Housing is a priority for McGinn, and he wants to make sure that people who work in Seattle can afford to live here as well. He says this is essential to the city’s economy and “a social good worthy of the city’s committed investment.”
The issue of homelessness in Seattle has also been of particular importance to McGinn. He plans to create a more effective way of dealing with the problem. He also recognizes that Seattle cannot fit every person “into the same doorway.”
McGinn says neighborhoods are a top priority and says that “neighborhoods are our soul.”
Both Seattle’s arts and culture and nightlife are important to McGinn as revenue drivers and integral aspects of living in Seattle, and he plans to support both.
Seattle’s older population is another area of focus for McGinn and he says he wants to incorporate them into “charting [the city’s] course.”
Joe Mallahan
Having never held elected office, Joe Mallahan approaches government in a business-like manner. Instead of politics, he has spent 15 years managing a private business.
Mallahan applies this experience to government and wants to treat citizens as “customers” by holding the government accountable on spending and efficiency.
The environment is one area of focus and Mallahan says he will lead Seattle to “new heights in protecting our environments and the planet.”
According to Mallahan, a balance needs to be struck between fighting climate change and increasing economic growth when looking at Seattle’s transportation. He wants to improve roads and reduce congestion by focusing on public transit as well as “alternate modes of transportation.”
The economy is of particular concern to Mallahan, and he says he will work to reverse the trend of job loss and economic deterioration.
Mallahan does not elaborate on his plan for housing, other than to say that people who work in Seattle should be able to live in Seattle.
Focuses on prevention of homelessness, job training and housing are how Mallahan plans to deal with the current transience problem. He also wants to be “proactive about social service needs.”
Mallahan wants to continue the city’s support for the arts. He recognizes that the arts create community and plans to make the arts central to his administration.
Supporting seniors is another important part of Mallahan’s plan. He wants to ensure that Seattle is a “great place to grow old.”
Mallahan also recognizes increasing crime rates and says he will try new approaches to crime prevention. He also plans to confront the current state of crime and wants to keep “our streets and homes safe.”
4 comments
I don't mind you supporting Mike McGinn, just don't present your work as balanced reporting. You earn a F for this piece. To lead with "Having never held public office ..... and apply it only to Mallahan and not McGinn is an example of your unbalanced journalism. Your opinions should show up on the editorial page. You are in school to learn. Take this critism and move on to better reporting.