To: President Nick Licata, Seattle City Council
From: Nancy Eitrim, President LWV Seattle
Date:February 7, 2007
Dear President Licata,
The League of Women Voters of Seattle does not support the process that has led up to the March 13 advisory vote on the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement. On Sept.11, 2006, the League sent a letter to the City Council stating that it was the appropriate body to make the decision on the replacement and that the Council should include the surface/transit option in its deliberations. However, the Council has chosen to go forward with this vote. The League’s concerns about the advisory vote are as follows:
- The ballot does not include all the options being discussed by the public or other elected officials.
- The format of the ballot creates further confusion because there is no direct choice between the elevated structure and the tunnel. If voters can say no to both, how will that be interpreted? If people vote no on both alternatives, can those votes be counted separately?
- Available information on the two choices keeps changing which makes it difficult for voters to make an informed decision by the March 13th vote.
- The distrust that may result if elected officials do not follow the advisory vote has the result of feeding into increasing cynicism about representative government and its leaders. Voters elect its leaders to make the hard decisions and face the consequences at the ballot box. While some measures are appropriate for the general public, we function best as a representative democracy.
The League of Women Voters supports continuing dialog with elected officials on all the options for dealing with the future of the viaduct. The League supports “a diverse, seamless, balanced transportation system that includes such features as regional and commuter rail, passenger only and auto ferries, maximum development of high-occupancy vehicle lanes, express, local and feeder buses, transportation for special needs, promotion of bicycle use, and adequate, safe pedestrian access to all transit and community services.â€
The League also supports King County Executive Ron Sims’ proposal to begin immediately with work on mitigating any impacts of construction related to the Alaskan Way viaduct. These measures will be necessary whichever replacement is chosen and may provide direction for a surface/ transit option as well.
In our commitment to voter service, the League of Women Voters continues to support the informed and active participation of citizens in the electoral process. To that end, on February 22, the League of Women Voters of Washington and the Seattle Times will co-sponsor a forum to present the voters with information from proponents and opponents of the ballot choices. We look forward to other opportunities to work toward an informed electorate on this important issue.
Sincerely,
Nancy Eitreim, President
The League of Women Voters of Seattle
cc:
Seattle City Councilmembers
Mayor Greg Nickels
King County Executive Ron Sims
The Seattle Times
The Seattle Post Intelligencer
