JASON RANTZ

Source: Seattle City Council member Debora Juarez swears at citizen testimony after asking for respect

May 9, 2016, 4:21 PM | Updated: May 10, 2016, 6:55 pm

city council arena...

A citizen holds up his testimony in front of the Seattle City Council on Monday. (Seattle Channel screengrab)

(Seattle Channel screengrab)

Days after rightfully demanding respect from Seattleites angry over the Seattle City Council’s vote to deny a street vacation for a stadium, council member Debora Juarez dismissed the concerns of one voter, calling out his criticism as “bulls*it” on an open mic during a council meeting.

Taking time out of his day to attend the public comment portion of Monday’s council meeting, a Seattleite explained why he thought the council acted hypocritically when they voted against the street vacation.

Related: The stunning hypocrisy of the Seattle arena ‘no’ vote

During his testimony, which criticized council member Lorena Gonzales, one female council member wasn’t particularly happy, calling out his comment with a vulgarity. You can watch the testimony here (the moment in question happens at 8:00). A source, who wished to remain anonymous, verified the council member was Juarez.

“OK, this needs to stop,” complained council member Debora Juarez off-camera. “How far along are we to go on with this?”

“Actually, I’d like to say that I think it’s highly inappropriate for this gentleman to focus on one of our colleagues,” council member Sally Bagshaw then said. “There was five of us who voted no for very intelligent reasons. I just want to say that this has gotta stop.”

But, if you’re going to ask for respect from the public, perhaps you, too, should respect the public and their positions on this. If you think what they say is wrong, perhaps you should speak up without demeaning them?

And since when is it unacceptable to level criticism to a council member? I’m a fan of council member Bagshaw; she’s done some great work and I’ve voted for her. But, no, it’s not inappropriate to call out council members on their vote (particularly if that council member represents you in office). It’s our duty to call out bad votes and the council’s ‘no’ vote was hypocritical. It’s more inappropriate to try to silence the people you all work for.

Jason Rantz on AM 770 KTTH
  • listen to jason rantzTune in to AM 770 KTTH weekdays at 3-7pm toThe Jason Rantz Show.

Jason Rantz Show

Jason Rantz

Image: Pro-Palestinian demonstrators protested at the University of Washington's Gerberding Hall in...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: UW Seattle students planning antisemitic encampment to mirror Columbia University

Antisemites at UW are joining Columbia University and other college students in embracing antisemitism. Their encampment goes up Thursday.

9 hours ago

Image: Governor Jay Inslee calls Bob Ferguson's ferry plan "brain dead" at Earth Day press conferen...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: Drama! Governor Jay Inslee slams Bob Ferguson’s ‘brain dead’ ferry plan

What does Governor Jay Inslee think about Bob Ferguson's stolen ferry plan? He called it "brain dead." Did he do this on purpose?

1 day ago

Seattle students rally...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: Seattle-area students to stage hate rally Tuesday as antisemitism on campus surges

Seattle-area students are holding antisemitic events throughout the state. Parents expect rally after rally to espouse antisemitism.

2 days ago

Photo: Photo: The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a major case around homeless camping bans. It could ...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: United States Supreme Court could save Seattle from homeless crisis

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a major case around homeless camping bans. It could finally end the progressive policy grip on Seattle.

3 days ago

Photo: Housing in the Puget Sound....

Jackson Meyer

Washington sees decline in new housing permits for second straight year

The decline in new housing permits could mean lower inventory and rising costs for Washington homeowners in the future.

5 days ago

...

MyNorthwest Video

Video: There Were A Lot of Anti-Israel Protests This Week

We had a whole lot of anti-Israel protests this week. But who are they really? Jason Rantz and Bryan Suits discuss on the KTTH Roundtable. Listen to The Bryan Suits Show weekdays from 6 a.m. – 9 a.m. on AM 770 KTTH or on-demand wherever you listen to podcasts. Listen to The Jason Rantz Show […]

6 days ago

Source: Seattle City Council member Debora Juarez swears at citizen testimony after asking for respect