Fuzed
September 18th, 2005, 03:35 PM
The Primary Election happening this Tuesday, September 20th is one of the most important Primaries Seattle has faced in a long time. There are especially important choices for the Seattle City Council, where many rules and ordinances facing the music community are made. It is great that the most pro-music community candidates are also the most progressive choices. SYS's endorsements are below. Get out and vote Tuesday. The Music Community can make a huge difference in this election! PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW IN SEATTLE
About S.Y.S. – Formed in the wake of the 2004 Presidential election, S.Y.S. is the Stop Your Sobbing think tank, a footloose and fancy-free conglomerate of well-meaning individuals from the Seattle arts & music scene, who hope to affect political and social change, and raise much-needed campaign funds for candidates they support, through positive thinking, community action, and spooky arcane rituals. Their ranks include Mark Arm (Mudhoney), Victoria Gentry (VAIN), Scott Giampino (DJ Self-Administered Beatdown, The Triple Door), Kerri Harrop (DJ Cherry Canoe), David Meinert (Fuzed Music, Mirabeau Room), and Kurt B. Reighley (DJ El Toro, Purty Mouth).
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL
NICK LICATA - Councilmember Licata has been a huge supporter of the Seattle music and arts community and is one of the most progressive politicians in Seattle. Licata says "One of my goals when I was elected to the City Council in 1997 was to improve the atmosphere for music in Seattle. We had a world famous music scene, but for years City regulations had made it difficult if not impossible for many people, especially youth, to enjoy the benefits of this part of our rich urban culture. " He has backed this sentiment with policy including: Sponsoring the repeal of the Teen Dance Ordinance, replacing it with a workable ordinance. Supporting City funding for the Vera Project. Sponsoring the creation of the Music and Youth Task Force, which provided the recommendations to repeal the Teen Dance Ordinance, and the creation of a youth-music-cultural venue, which became Vera. Spearheading opposition to Mark Sidran's draconian proposal for an "Added Entertainment" Ordinance , which placed onerous regulations on Seattle’s over-21 music scene, including a requirement for a license to simply have live music, dancing, or theatrical performances, and allowed for a summary suspension of the license. He wrote a Seattle Times editorial opposing it which noted, “Nightclubs are a vital and valued part of our urban culture.” Opposing a restrictive noise ordinance proposal that would have imposed excessive regulations on clubs, including a provision that would allow property abatement just for noise complaints. Wrote a letter to the Washington State Liquor Control Board in support of relaxing restrictions against allowing all-ages shows, and testified at a WSLCB hearing with the same message. Organized the “Nightlife and Neighborhoods” brown-bag meeting involving City personnel, neighborhood businesses, and citizens focusing on the impacts on neighborhoods from Seattle's bourgeoning nightlife activity. http://www.nicklicata.com/
RICHARD CONLIN - Richard Conlin was elected to the Seattle City Council in November, 1997, and re-elected in 2001. A long-standing friend of the Seattle music community, Conlin initiated the Music and Youth Task Force which came up with the plan to replace the Teen Dance Ordinance with the All-Ages Dance Ordinance which he then led the charge on getting passed, he established the All Ages Music Advisory Committee, secured funding for all-ages venue the Vera Project, and voted against a proposed Noise Ordinance. As the Chair of the Council's Transportation committee, Conlin has been essential in implementing the region's plan for improved transit, developed new funding sources for transportation maintenance and neighborhood transportation improvement, and encouraged pedestrian and bicycle improvements, to reduce dependence on automobiles. http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/council/conlin/
JAN DRAGO - from Jan - Some of you may know me as a great supporter of the arts, others of you may not yet be familiar with my record on the City Council. Music is so important to our well-being, self-exploration and celebration of life. Just recently I introduced The Gossip at the Capitol Hill Block Party. It was great to see so many people – young and old – gathered there to share in a common love of music. I am reaching out today because I need your help. I face a very strong and well-financed challenger. I would love to have your help as volunteers on my campaign. In 2002, after speaking with members of the music community, I voted to abolish the highly restrictive Teen Dance Ordinance and instead adopt the tamer All Ages Dance Ordinance. I have been involved with Vera Project, helping advise them on legislative matters and provide them with funding for their Strategic Development Plan and other projects. I also helped establish Seattle's Office for Film and Music. I am a well-known advocate for increasing urban density in neighborhoods that welcome it. And with downtown living comes a little noise, you have to expect it. Seattle is well-known worldwide for its great music scene and history – a legacy I intend to make sure lives on for your and future generations. I am so proud to have received the ArtsFund “Unsung Hero” Award for 2004. My support of the arts is very near to my heart and I have to admit that when I attend a Seattle Symphony performance at Benaroya Hall or a performance at McCaw Hall, I feel an inner sense of pride in having been a part of making those buildings possible. The economic redevelopment that occurred over the past ten years through public-private partnerships has changed the face of Downtown. And through the construction of the Seattle Art Museum and Benaroya Hall, the restoration of Paramount, and the conversion of Eagles Auditorium into the ACT Theatre, we have shown that the arts can be a significant part of that economic redevelopment. I really encourage you to get involved, not just in my campaign, but in politics. It is so important to make your voice heard on the issues that matter to you. http://www.jandrago.com/
DWIGHT PELZ - Dwight Pelz is politician who will roll up his sleeves to get the job done. He chaired the Howard Dean field committee in the last Presidential election,has worked as a community organizer for a variety of grassroots groups on a variety of social issues, worked on progressive statewide initiatives in 1975 for tax reform, and in 1976 to control nuclear wastes in Washington. In 1977, Dwight organized the statewide initiative campaign which repealed the sales tax on food. This was the most regressive tax in Washington, one that hit the poor and working poor the hardest. Pelz was elected to the State Senate in 1990. He was chosen to chair the Senate Education Committee, where he wrote the Education Reform Act, and passed legislation to increase funding for our public schools In 1996, Dwight was appointed to the King County Council and re-elected for a second term in 2001, where he has become a recognized leader in the areas of transit and transportation, growth management, the environment, human services and strengthening neighborhoods. Dwight has worked to increase bus service within Seattle neighborhoods. Has fought tirelessly for light rail and mass transit throughout the county. Has consistently advocated to balance investments in highway with equal investments in mass transit. He directed the creation of Sound Transit's $50 million Community Development Fund, and spearheaded the effort to place underground utilities along the light rail line in the Rainier Valley. He assumed a lead role in salmon restoration efforts in King County. He secured funding for the preservation and restoration of Hamm Creek, and to recover the wetlands within the Black River Riparian Forest. He funded a variety of smaller parks and open space acquisitions throughout King County. He championed the fight for the East Lake Sammamish Trail. He worked annually to restore funding for a wide array of senior services that were omitted in the initial budget proposals. He created the Rainier Valley Youth Service Project to keep young offenders out of the Juvenile Justice System. We need Dwight on the City Council. He is a hard working, effective, smart progressive who will work hard for the music community and for progressive ideals in Seattle. http://www.dwightpelz.com/
KING COUNTY COUNCIL
DOW CONSTANTINE represents the people of the Eighth Council District - and anyone who cares about the environment, civil rights, the arts, and human services - on the King County Council. Dow has always been a friend of visual and performing arts, and especially music. As a lawyer and legislator he worked with music advocates like Krist Novoselic to improve the political and economic standing of local music and fight censorship moves. During 2004 alone, Dow has done a ton of heavy lifting for the people of King County and the issues that matter. His recent efforts include: Fighting tooth and nail to save some of the last undeveloped nearshore in King County - Maury Island - from the multinational corporation trying to turn it into a strip mine. Tackling the toughest job at King County: As Chair of the Growth Management Committee, protecting our forests, farms and rural lands from poorly planned development. Advocating for the rights of sexual minorities, including championing and winning equal benefits for same-sex couples working for King County or its contractors. Working to extend anti-discrimination protections to all sexual minorities. Prioritizing human services to help people get their lives on track, rather than constantly escalating criminal justice spending. (This very policy so infuriated the jail guards and Tim Eyman that they ran their attack initiative to cut the Council from 13 members to 9.) http://dowconstantine.org/
About S.Y.S. – Formed in the wake of the 2004 Presidential election, S.Y.S. is the Stop Your Sobbing think tank, a footloose and fancy-free conglomerate of well-meaning individuals from the Seattle arts & music scene, who hope to affect political and social change, and raise much-needed campaign funds for candidates they support, through positive thinking, community action, and spooky arcane rituals. Their ranks include Mark Arm (Mudhoney), Victoria Gentry (VAIN), Scott Giampino (DJ Self-Administered Beatdown, The Triple Door), Kerri Harrop (DJ Cherry Canoe), David Meinert (Fuzed Music, Mirabeau Room), and Kurt B. Reighley (DJ El Toro, Purty Mouth).
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL
NICK LICATA - Councilmember Licata has been a huge supporter of the Seattle music and arts community and is one of the most progressive politicians in Seattle. Licata says "One of my goals when I was elected to the City Council in 1997 was to improve the atmosphere for music in Seattle. We had a world famous music scene, but for years City regulations had made it difficult if not impossible for many people, especially youth, to enjoy the benefits of this part of our rich urban culture. " He has backed this sentiment with policy including: Sponsoring the repeal of the Teen Dance Ordinance, replacing it with a workable ordinance. Supporting City funding for the Vera Project. Sponsoring the creation of the Music and Youth Task Force, which provided the recommendations to repeal the Teen Dance Ordinance, and the creation of a youth-music-cultural venue, which became Vera. Spearheading opposition to Mark Sidran's draconian proposal for an "Added Entertainment" Ordinance , which placed onerous regulations on Seattle’s over-21 music scene, including a requirement for a license to simply have live music, dancing, or theatrical performances, and allowed for a summary suspension of the license. He wrote a Seattle Times editorial opposing it which noted, “Nightclubs are a vital and valued part of our urban culture.” Opposing a restrictive noise ordinance proposal that would have imposed excessive regulations on clubs, including a provision that would allow property abatement just for noise complaints. Wrote a letter to the Washington State Liquor Control Board in support of relaxing restrictions against allowing all-ages shows, and testified at a WSLCB hearing with the same message. Organized the “Nightlife and Neighborhoods” brown-bag meeting involving City personnel, neighborhood businesses, and citizens focusing on the impacts on neighborhoods from Seattle's bourgeoning nightlife activity. http://www.nicklicata.com/
RICHARD CONLIN - Richard Conlin was elected to the Seattle City Council in November, 1997, and re-elected in 2001. A long-standing friend of the Seattle music community, Conlin initiated the Music and Youth Task Force which came up with the plan to replace the Teen Dance Ordinance with the All-Ages Dance Ordinance which he then led the charge on getting passed, he established the All Ages Music Advisory Committee, secured funding for all-ages venue the Vera Project, and voted against a proposed Noise Ordinance. As the Chair of the Council's Transportation committee, Conlin has been essential in implementing the region's plan for improved transit, developed new funding sources for transportation maintenance and neighborhood transportation improvement, and encouraged pedestrian and bicycle improvements, to reduce dependence on automobiles. http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/council/conlin/
JAN DRAGO - from Jan - Some of you may know me as a great supporter of the arts, others of you may not yet be familiar with my record on the City Council. Music is so important to our well-being, self-exploration and celebration of life. Just recently I introduced The Gossip at the Capitol Hill Block Party. It was great to see so many people – young and old – gathered there to share in a common love of music. I am reaching out today because I need your help. I face a very strong and well-financed challenger. I would love to have your help as volunteers on my campaign. In 2002, after speaking with members of the music community, I voted to abolish the highly restrictive Teen Dance Ordinance and instead adopt the tamer All Ages Dance Ordinance. I have been involved with Vera Project, helping advise them on legislative matters and provide them with funding for their Strategic Development Plan and other projects. I also helped establish Seattle's Office for Film and Music. I am a well-known advocate for increasing urban density in neighborhoods that welcome it. And with downtown living comes a little noise, you have to expect it. Seattle is well-known worldwide for its great music scene and history – a legacy I intend to make sure lives on for your and future generations. I am so proud to have received the ArtsFund “Unsung Hero” Award for 2004. My support of the arts is very near to my heart and I have to admit that when I attend a Seattle Symphony performance at Benaroya Hall or a performance at McCaw Hall, I feel an inner sense of pride in having been a part of making those buildings possible. The economic redevelopment that occurred over the past ten years through public-private partnerships has changed the face of Downtown. And through the construction of the Seattle Art Museum and Benaroya Hall, the restoration of Paramount, and the conversion of Eagles Auditorium into the ACT Theatre, we have shown that the arts can be a significant part of that economic redevelopment. I really encourage you to get involved, not just in my campaign, but in politics. It is so important to make your voice heard on the issues that matter to you. http://www.jandrago.com/
DWIGHT PELZ - Dwight Pelz is politician who will roll up his sleeves to get the job done. He chaired the Howard Dean field committee in the last Presidential election,has worked as a community organizer for a variety of grassroots groups on a variety of social issues, worked on progressive statewide initiatives in 1975 for tax reform, and in 1976 to control nuclear wastes in Washington. In 1977, Dwight organized the statewide initiative campaign which repealed the sales tax on food. This was the most regressive tax in Washington, one that hit the poor and working poor the hardest. Pelz was elected to the State Senate in 1990. He was chosen to chair the Senate Education Committee, where he wrote the Education Reform Act, and passed legislation to increase funding for our public schools In 1996, Dwight was appointed to the King County Council and re-elected for a second term in 2001, where he has become a recognized leader in the areas of transit and transportation, growth management, the environment, human services and strengthening neighborhoods. Dwight has worked to increase bus service within Seattle neighborhoods. Has fought tirelessly for light rail and mass transit throughout the county. Has consistently advocated to balance investments in highway with equal investments in mass transit. He directed the creation of Sound Transit's $50 million Community Development Fund, and spearheaded the effort to place underground utilities along the light rail line in the Rainier Valley. He assumed a lead role in salmon restoration efforts in King County. He secured funding for the preservation and restoration of Hamm Creek, and to recover the wetlands within the Black River Riparian Forest. He funded a variety of smaller parks and open space acquisitions throughout King County. He championed the fight for the East Lake Sammamish Trail. He worked annually to restore funding for a wide array of senior services that were omitted in the initial budget proposals. He created the Rainier Valley Youth Service Project to keep young offenders out of the Juvenile Justice System. We need Dwight on the City Council. He is a hard working, effective, smart progressive who will work hard for the music community and for progressive ideals in Seattle. http://www.dwightpelz.com/
KING COUNTY COUNCIL
DOW CONSTANTINE represents the people of the Eighth Council District - and anyone who cares about the environment, civil rights, the arts, and human services - on the King County Council. Dow has always been a friend of visual and performing arts, and especially music. As a lawyer and legislator he worked with music advocates like Krist Novoselic to improve the political and economic standing of local music and fight censorship moves. During 2004 alone, Dow has done a ton of heavy lifting for the people of King County and the issues that matter. His recent efforts include: Fighting tooth and nail to save some of the last undeveloped nearshore in King County - Maury Island - from the multinational corporation trying to turn it into a strip mine. Tackling the toughest job at King County: As Chair of the Growth Management Committee, protecting our forests, farms and rural lands from poorly planned development. Advocating for the rights of sexual minorities, including championing and winning equal benefits for same-sex couples working for King County or its contractors. Working to extend anti-discrimination protections to all sexual minorities. Prioritizing human services to help people get their lives on track, rather than constantly escalating criminal justice spending. (This very policy so infuriated the jail guards and Tim Eyman that they ran their attack initiative to cut the Council from 13 members to 9.) http://dowconstantine.org/