Former Seattle mayoral candidate moderates ‘community debate’

By Deborah Horne, KIRO 7

The line snaked around the parking lot outside the Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church in South Seattle on Sunday.

And there was no shortage of strong opinions about what the people here wanted to hear from Seattle mayoral candidates Cary Moon and Jenny Durkan.

“The issue that I’m most concerned is affordable housing and homelessness in Seattle,” said KJ Moon. “I mean, it’s been two years since the state of emergency. There’s people all over the streets. And we seem to be putting a lot of money into it and nothing is really happening.”

“What are you hoping to hear?” Yelias Bender was asked. “I would just like to learn more about the candidates’ positions on various issues especially housing and transportation,” he said.

“Are there any issues in particular that you are concerned about?” Royal Alley- Barnes, an arts consultant was asked. “Yes,” said Alley-Barnes. Livability. “And particularly for African Americans being able to safely walk our streets, have our children walk our streets and our grandchildren walk our streets. And have access. Equity and equanimity.”

This is the first-ever debate organized by the newly-formed People’s Party of Seattle. Its first candidate, Nikkita Oliver, ran unsuccessfully for Seattle mayor.

Now Oliver is the moderator.

She says the questions she is asking are not hers alone.

“We developed the questions in community with folks as a part of a larger coalition,” Oliver said. “And so those questions really get to the heart of some things that communities that tend to be marginalized in Seattle are really thinking about.”

An indication of just how much is on the debate agenda.