MAYOR’S TOWN HALL NEEDED MORE PARTICIPANTS IN THE AUDIENCE TO MATCH THE CITY’S WORK IN STAGING THE EVENT…

Mayor Mike McGinn

Seattle residents in three zip codes (98133, 98117, and 98177) out here in the Northwest Seattle section of the City were invited to this Mayor’s Town Hall meeting last night. Given the amount of time and attention invested in staging these events, the turnout was a bit disappointing. I’d estimate attendance at around 70 to 80 folks from the area not related to staffing a table or working for the City. Considering that thousands live within these three zip codes and robocalls, emails, and hard-copy flyers were distributed, I’d love to have seen a larger crowd. These town halls are being staged as part of the Mayor’s Engage Seattle initiative this year, in order to ensure that as many people as possible who live, work, or play in Seattle can voice their concerns and offer feedback directly to the Mayor.

Pat and Jayne

BROADVIEW COMMUNITY COUNCIL table was right inside the door at this event thanks to Thomas Whittemore, our Department of Neighborhoods staffer. This gave us a great spot to talk to neighbors, get a few new members, greet the Mayor, and talk personally to other City staff as they entered the event.  About a dozen City departments and other community organizations staffed tables lined up around the periphery of the gym at the Bitter Lake Community Center. I picked up literature from other community councils and City departments being the paperholic that I am.  Thanks from me to Board members Dale Johnson and Jayne Williamson for “working the table” with me!

Broadview was represented not only by our table but also former Board member Richard Dyksterhuis featured his Bitter Lake United Friends and Neighbors (BLUFAN) group and had great visuals to bring focus to our Bitter Lake issues. Gloria Butts made sure that the Broadview Historical Society, the Dunn Gardens, and the Bitter Lake

P-Patch groups had information available at various spots around the room. Both GAIN Broadview and GAIN The Highland were represented with a table and information as well as the Phinney Ridge, Green Lake, and Greenwood Community Councils. The Broadview/Bitter Lake/Haller Lake Neighborhood Planning Committee at members at a table to get out information about next Tuesday’s NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN UPDATE WORKSHOP #2 (6:30-8:30 at the same venue).

 Among City departments were, of course, the Department of Neighborhoods and Departments of Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Public Utilities, Human Services, Planning and Development, and even the City’s Customer Service Bureau. You can learn anything you want or need to know about where to go within our huge City government by checking out www.seattle.gov/customerservice.

 The Mayor took the microphone right on time at 6:40 and proceeded to wade through a question-and-answer session that lasted right up until 8. Unfortunately, not every question was covered. However, I’m told by the Mayor’s Office that they publish a blog post about town halls at http://mayormcginn.seattle.gov, and include a link to the recap.

 Thanks to those of you who took the time to attend and participate!

 Pat McCoy, President, Broadview Community Council