How has the recently-elected city council been working with the mayor to solve the city’s most pressing needs? How can the city grow and remain equitable for all? Seattle Mayor Ed Murray will discuss these issues when Civic Cocktail returns March 2.
In November this year, Murray and King County Executive Dow Constantine declared a homelessness emergency in Seattle and King County. With an estimated 10,000 homeless in the city, there’s no lack of people in need of assistance. A panel on the subject will include Daniel Malone, Executive Director of the Downtown Emergency Service Center, which provides various types of housing and healthcare assistance to the homeless. He will join Seattle City Councilmember Mike O’Brien and Cindy Pierce of the Neighborhood Safety Alliance (NSA) to discuss what the government and community organizations are doing to help the homeless. The NSA has recently advocated for a crackdown on what they see as criminal activity in RVs parked around the Magnolia and Ballard neighborhoods.
Journalists Marcus Green of the South Seattle Emerald and YES! Magazine, and Crosscut’s own David Kroman will also join the discussion. Tickets are $20 for Crosscut and Seattle City Club members and $25 for the general public. You can find out more and register here.
In case you can’t attend, or if you just want to brush up on your knowledge, here’s a quick guide to the issues and speakers.
City Council
“Meet Seattle’s new city council: young, diverse, unpredictable” Crosscut, Jan. 4
Homelessness crisis
“Homelessness emergency: A chance to make a difference” Crosscut, Nov. 5
“Aging homeless youth face the world of adult services” Crosscut, Feb. 22
“Seattle’s homeless emergency: What do we really know?” Crosscut, Feb. 4
“Shelters maxed out as city sweeps homeless from streets” Crosscut, Jan. 19
“RV Criminals vs RV Homeless” Magnolia Voice, Jan. 30
Equity and development
“How Seattle is feeding the hungry this winter” Crosscut, Dec. 11
“The long climb toward MLK’s mountaintop” Crosscut, Jan. 18
“The public health dilemma of a fading black community” Crosscut, Dec. 17
“Why it’s so hard to build truly affordable housing in Seattle” Crosscut, Sept. 16
“Why luxury high-rises are taking over Seattle” Crosscut, Feb. 17
Read more about: Civic Cocktail
