Seattle City Councilmember Richard Conlin said his success in getting legislation passed and his ability to go into any neighborhood and point his accomplishments is what makes him feel he is ready for a third term.

As chairman of the council's Transportation Committee, Conlin says his goals for the next four years are to continue to largely concentrate on addressing transportation issues and setbacks, and road, street and bridge repairs, both regionally and locally.

He is a member of a regional committee that has been lobbying for legislation to provide adequate money for the repairs which Conlin says is "a huge step on the right direction" and toward his second-term goals.

Conlin supports pedestrian and bicycle improvements to reduce dependence on the automobile, but with this evolution comes the need for improved transportation and attention to Seattle's growing need for mass transit.

Regarding the Seattle Monorail Project and the dispute over the interest costs, Conlin says finding a solution that doesn't ignore Seattle's needs is vital.

"From my perspective, the whole screw up is that we got hung up on the technology," says Conlin. "We need to separate the fate of the Seattle Monorail Project from the fate of mass transit in Seattle, because that still needs to be addressed, regardless of what happens to the (monorail)."

Conlin proposes building at least part of the monorail between West Seattle and downtown.

The King Street station at the southern part of the city center to West Seattle would be the best route to build first, he says, because the likely demise of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and the years it would take to replace it. Additionally, no new crossing of the Duwamish is needed because monorail can be built on the West Seattle Bridge.

"Build that segment first and prove to the city that it works," he says, adding that an agreement needs to be built within the next few months and presented to the Washington Legislature.

"We need to get our act together," he says.

Rebuilding the viaduct would provide add another 5 to 10 years to the life of the viaduct, but Conlin says short-term answers are never the most cost-effective solutions.

He thinks rebuilding the viaduct may be the only alternative since that plan would cost $2 billion vice at least $4 billion for the tunnel option currently the choice of the mayor, council and the State Department of Transportation. In addition, there is a distinct possibility that the hike in the gasoline tax passed by Legislature will be revoked by voters in November. That money would have provided money for various regional transportation improvements.

As chair of the council's Neighborhoods committee, Conlin says continuing efforts to support local communities needs by increasing communication between them and the city remains an important element of his platform.

He considers himself to be a good link between Seattle neighborhoods and city government and says he hopes to continue to have the opportunity to increase and encourage that relationship.

Cooperation with the Mayor Nickels and his staff is important, he says, and despite some perceptions that the council has been lax in getting legislation approved, Conlin says the council has been successful with many of the issues it supports.

"I think we have a bit of a balancing problem," he says. "And I think we have been reactive at times instead of proactive, but I think in the last two years we have done a better balancing job."

Even prior to his election to city council Conlin had been active in energy and environmental conservation, including having owned and operated a small energy conservation business, and his involvement with the Solar Lobby in Washington, DC.

Currently, he represents Seattle on the regional committee overseeing salmon recovery in the Duwamish-Green River ecosystem and is working to preserve the Soundway Greenbelt in West Seattle, recently scheduled to be sold for development.

All of this has lead to his strong endorsement by the Seattle Environmental Leaders organization.

Conlin says he is secure that none of his opponents for Position 2 will be able to match his active involvement with Seattle communities and the initiative he has shown with the council on seeing important community, transportation and environmental measures through.

Conlin also revealed that he is "very seriously considering" running for president of the council, a post now held by Councilmember Jan Drago.

He loves his job, nevertheless.

"It's a blast," he says. "Every week I learn something new and it's exhilarating to go out and work towards accomplishing neighborhood goals."

Rebekah Schilperoort can be reached at rebekah@robinsonnews.com or 783.1244.