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Let's Take a Vote on a New Parks Levy (Op-Ed)

Friends of Seattle is in the news.

Gary Manca & Nate Cormier, "Let's Take a Vote on a New Parks Levy," Seattle Times (6 May 2008)

By Gary Manca and Nate Cormier
Special to The Times

Seattle's successful Pro Parks Levy is expiring at the end of this year, but our elected leaders have not yet committed to putting a new parks levy on the ballot. The City Council took a step in the right direction when it appointed a new citizen's committee to study the issue. Still, the committee may recommend waiting until 2009 or beyond, and Mayor Greg Nickels said he prefers a vote no earlier than 2010.

We come bearing a more urgent message: The public wants a new parks levy now.

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Tunnel or Rebuild? Neither (Op-Ed in Real Change)

Friends of Seattle is in the news.

Sean Howell & Gary Manca, "Tunnel or Rebuild? Neither,"Real Change (11 Jan 2007)

January 10, 2007

Tunnel or Rebuild? Neither
City needs to demand none of the above to replace Alaskan Way Viaduct

BY GARY MANCA AND SEAN HOWELL
Guest Writers

The worst thing about the governor playing hot potato with the Alaskan Way viaduct decision is that the potato she has tossed to the voters is rotten. The six-lane tunnel is unaffordable, and a new Viaduct would be a monstrosity that violates Seattle zoning codes and shoreline protection ordinances.

Our leaders should refuse to play the governor’s game and demand the state to go back to the drawing board. No good options for the voters to consider, no vote. But if the City Council does force a vote, we should have a strict up-or-down ballot on a new viaduct. That way, we can reply to the state when it tries to sell us its only "feasible" option: "No, thanks. You can keep your rotten potato!"

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What the Governor Should Have Done About Viaduct (Op-Ed)

Friends of Seattle is in the news.

Mike O'Brien & Gary Manca, "What the Governor Should Have Done About Viaduct," Seattle P-I (2 Jan 2007)

By MICHAEL O'BRIEN AND GARY MANCA
GUEST COLUMNISTS

Now that Gov. Chris Gregoire has punted the Alaskan Way Viaduct decision to Seattle voters, we face a bruising public contest pitting a tunnel we can't afford against an elevated rebuild requiring us to kiss the Elliott Bay waterfront goodbye.

Residents are outraged that the governor foisted this dreary decision on them. But it's no surprise she avoided the political thorns attached to both bad options.

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