WELCOME!

As an environmental historian, and writer of five books on parks and railroads, I am appalled at the shortsighted city policy making that has failed the people of Seattle.

Our past visionary leaders seized opportunities to advance the public good – not slavishly cater to special interests. A century ago, Seattle leaders created a great interurban rail transit system and vast, green public parks. They valued the Public Market and saved it from developers who wanted to construct a parking lot. Leadership cleaned up Lake Washington and built a municipal electric utility that led the world in developing renewable energy resources.

Seattle did great things. We can do great things again if we value most what made our community exceptional.

My mission on the City Council will be to serve the people - not strip club owners or downtown developers. Councilmembers are elected to make tough decisions - not to pass the buck with recurring votes on "advisory" ballot measures. As a City Councilmember, my vote will be based on facts with no strings attached. I am the candidate who will not accept developer money in my campaign. I am educated as a historian to value and speak the truth. That is what I taught my students at UW.

Currently, I am a consultant to Emmy award winning filmmaker Ken Burns for his upcoming PBS documentary on national parks. For more than two decades, my wife Christine and I have lived in the same North Seattle home. Although I have a PhD, my formal education (courtesy of my hard working single mom) does not provide me all the answers. I believe in the need to listen and learn; I value hard work and common sense. If we share the same Seattle values, I would be privileged to represent you in City Hall.

Sincerely,

Al Runte

• The Right Policies to Get Seattle Back on Track
  • Adopt Impact Fees on New Development for Public Parks and Open Space
  • Hold Developers Accountable For Respecting the Beauty of Seattle's Downtown Core and Neighborhoods
  • Fix the Alaskan Way Viaduct Now
  • Replace I-520 Bridge Before it Sinks
  • Increase Maintenance and Fund the Development of Renewable Resources at Seattle City Light
  • Fund Consumer Rate Incentives for Conservation
  • Aggressively Restore Seattle's Crumbling Infrastructure, Including Major Streets and Arterials
  • Explore Proven Avenues of Public Transportation, Including Guided Bus Ways and Fixed Rail