Proponents of SeaTac Proposition 1are hoping that the fourth time is the charm as residents vote again on changing the city’s form of government.
The measure has been before voters three times previously. It failed by just 9 votes in 2009. Supporters said they delivered about 25 ballots in time to King County Elections that had been challenged but were valid. The votes were not counted, according to the supporters.
Proposition 1 calls for a citywide vote for an elected mayor who would be the chief executive of the city government. The elected mayor could hire a city administrator to supervise city staff.
Currently, the seven City Council members select one of their colleagues to serve as mayor. The mayor presides over council meetings and represents the city at ceremonial functions.
Here’s what both sides are saying about the proposition:
Vote Yes on Proposition 1
Earl Gipson, SeaTac Citizens For Elected Mayor.
Proposition #1 is about restoring the balance of the Executive/Legislative branches of SeaTac government by Democratically Electing our Mayor and Chief Executive, which we cannot do under the Council-Manager form of government.
Claims about increased costs have consistently been proven false by the state's own data yet somehow persist. This has been researched thoroughly and these claims cannot be substantiated.
The opposition to Proposition #1 has refused to publicly debate the issue. One individual even told me, in front of our police chief and other witnesses, that they thought it was harassment for me to ask.
We have a crisis of leadership in the un-elected Executive office of our City. However under the current form of government there is nothing we voters/Citizens can do about it. Proposition #1 changes it so we can, Democratically.
Let’s never give up our right to vote again and vote YES on Proposition #1.
Vote No on Proposition 1
Oren Hadaller, No SeaTac Prop One Campaign
Changing SeaTac's form of government is the first step on the road for big business interests associated with the Airport and the two light-rail stations to take over our City.
Voting no on Proposition One will assure that SeaTac City government will continue to provide a strong Council of seven members who represent SeaTac residents.
Changing SeaTac's government to the Mayoral form of government will create a situation in which one person will be making major decisions, leaving the City vulnerable to outside interests and the chance that an elected Mayor will lack the skills necessary to manage a staff of over 200 and a budget in excess of $50 million.
An elected mayor and his/her staff add yet another layer to city government, thus increasing the size and cost of SeaTac's government.
Voting NO on Prop One retains SeaTac's vision as a livable city and not just a temporary home for parking thousands of cars.
