Norman Sigler is running for Mayor of Seattle.

See his:

• official campaign website
• Facebook
• Twitter
• campaign-finance disclosure reports with the Seattle Ethics & Elections Commission

   

Table of Contents

• Discussion forum on the candidates for Mayor of Seattle
• Video of Mayoral Candidate Forum on July 13
• Analysis by Friends of Seattle
• Norman Sigler's Interview Videos
• Norman Sigler's Questionnaire Responses

Analysis

Norman Sigler is a passionate advocate for Seattle's future, and he shares our values. Mr. Sigler had some good moments at our mayoral candidate forum and in our interview (particularly with regard to the commuter tax). But Mr. Sigler's experience is limited mostly to the private sector. In our view, someone who wants to be the elected leader of a city should have demonstrated a prior interest in the city's public life.

Mr. Sigler offers many ideas, especially for transit, and we agree with him that the community benefits when public and private groups work together for the common good. But many of his plans are still half baked. For instance, Mr. Sigler says the monorail line should be extended to the stadiums and perhaps West Seattle. We think that corridor is served adequately by Sound Transit's new light rail line and do not understand why hundreds of millions of dollars should be spent building a duplicative mass-transit line.

In sum, we hope Mr. Sigler continues his civic participation, but he has not earned a vote for mayor.

Interview

Video:

Questionnaire Responses

Table of Contents:

• General Questions
  • Friends of Seattle's Mission
  • Candidate Qualifications
  • Representing Seattle
  • City Council Committees
• Issues
  • Waste Reduction
  • Alaskan Way Viaduct
  • Transit
  • Bicycle Infrastructure
  • Pedestrian Infrastructure
  • Land Use and Multifamily Housing
  • City Governance
• Creative Response

General Questions

Friends of Seattle's Mission

• How does your candidacy support Friends of Seattle's values, goals, and mission?

I fully support the mission of Friends of Seattle. My campaign has had as its primary goal of returning government to its citizens by listening to their concerns, conducting all business in transparent ways, spending hard earned tax dollars wisely, incorporating sustainability in all processes, and working together with all parts of our community, region and state. We need Fresh Leadership to creatively address our most pressing transportation, education, and economic issues. It's time to work together to shape a bright Seattle future.

Qualifications

• Please describe any professional accomplishments that demonstrate your effectiveness as an elected official (if you are an incumbent) or would demonstrate your effectiveness as an elected official (if you have not yet held office).

Over the last six years and especially during my campaign for mayor, I've heard from thousands of residents who are unhappy with the current way our city is being run - they want change. They want leadership that listens to the people, is fiscally accountable and transparent, protects our natural environment, and encourages our neighborhoods and businesses to flourish. I've built businesses around connecting people with great opportunities and each other as a corporate executive search recruiter and matchmaker. I posses effective leadership qualities of experience, ability, vision, creativity, and empathy. I have over 15 years of experience developing alliances between related and unrelated interests, managing multimillion dollar corporate budgets, and building leadership teams within non-profit, private and public sectors. Please see professional qualifications below.

[Editor's note: Mr. Sigler included his professional resume with his questionnaire response. You can view the resume on pages 6-8 of this PDF.]

Representing Seattle

Background: Seattle is the most populous city in Washington and is the state's economic engine. At the same time, Seattle cannot address many of its problems without working with King County, regional entities (Sound Transit and the PSRC), and the state government. Yet many observers believe that Seattle's interests are represented inadequately at those levels. For example, the Muni League has criticized the 40-20-40 rule for allocating new Metro transit funding. Further, transit advocates note that the state's current tax system disadvantages transit. And the Legislature refused to allocate federal stimulus dollars for road projects in Seattle.

• As an elected official representing Seattle, how would you work with King County, regional governmental entities, the state legislature, and the governor to ensure their budgets and policies address Seattle's needs?

My message throughout this campaign has been about partnerships. Government alone cannot solve our most challenging issues facing our community. We need to partner with not only other governmental agencies but with the non-profit and public sector areas of our community. Government should effectively and efficiently provide basic services of infrastructure, security/safety, and public health.

Issues

Waste Reduction

Background: Rather than build an expensive new transfer in Georgetown to handle the growing volume of trash generated in Seattle, the City of Seattle adopted a "Zero Waste Strategy" centered on reducing waste. As part of that strategy, the City Council adopted a 20-cent "green fee" for disposable shopping bags.

• Do you support the green fee? Why or why not?

No. It's a burden on the people least able to pay. I do support a full ban on plastic and non-recycled paper bags.

Alaskan Way Viaduct

Background: Governor Gregoire signed a legislative bill ordering the Washington State Department of Transportation to design a bored tunnel to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct. This bill contains language allocating cost overruns to Seattle citizens, although some question whether the language has legal significance. Notwithstanding that provision, the City of Seattle committed $930 million and the Port of Seattle $300 million to finance the tunnel. Although the exact tax consequences of these commitments are not totally clear, it is safe to assume that the Port's contribution would result in higher property taxes for Seattle property owners, and the City's pledge would be funded with increases in property taxes, City Light utility rates, and possibly other taxes and fees.

• Do you support the plan to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a bored tunnel? Why or why not?

No. I, like most Seattle voters, voted _no_ to the tunnel option and _no_ to the viaduct rebuild. It is a reactionary effort that does nothing to address the overall mobility of people and goods. It is a 20th Century approach to a 21st Century and beyond problem - not to mention it will be extremely costly. Here is my list of issues with this project:

• Only 40% of current capacity will be accommodated by the tunnel. The remaining 60% must use surface streets.
• Impact of boring on subsoil.
• There are no exits to downtown Seattle. Congestion will be beyond comprehension. Traffic is already a mess whenever a Mariner's game lets out at rush hour.
• There are no formal proposals for surface/transit solutions that will be needed whatever we do.
• There is no provision to toll the road (which will help with the cost).
• Persons who stand to benefit the most should pay for any overruns (users of the tunnel, people who advocated for it, and persons and interests who property value will increase because of it.
• If you support the tunnel, what would you do to address the cost-overruns issue?

As mayor, I will ensure that contracts are written that place cost overruns with the contractor and the State of Washington.

• If you oppose the tunnel, what would you do to prevent its implementation?

I will work to create a solution to moving people and goods in the event the Viaduct is no longer useful. The plan would contain 2 phases: 1. Emergency routes to move traffic through the city by redirecting streets to match morning inflow and evening outflow. 2. We need to improve our surface grid and I-5 flow to accommodate

Transit

Background: The City of Seattle already contributes to local transit. The City put together the financing package to construct the South Lake Union streetcar line, and the City and King County Metro share the ongoing operating costs for that line. Further, the Bridging the Gap tax package finances some Metro bus service within Seattle, and Bridging the Gap also pays for street improvements designed to expedite bus travel.

• If elected, how do you intend to improve the in-city transit system?

There are several proposals I plan to initiate:

• Create transit transfer stations at Northgate and the Stadium area. Several bus trips to downtown would bypass to the transit stations.
• Create 8 corridors to address east/west movement of people and good (bus rapid transit, bike and other non motorized lanes, trolley and/or trains
• Build train transit throughout city where rail right-of-way exists
• Extend the current monorail to the stadiums (with option to continue to W. Seattle). Create Seattle Center loop
• Extend the South Lake Union Trolley to the University District and
• Build trolley line from Fremont to Ballard (via Leary)
• Restore Benson trolley line and extend to new cruise terminals, Interbay, and Fisherman's terminal (with option to continue to Ballard)
• Roads in SoDo will use technology to manage traffic flow during rush hours, sporting events, and emergencies. Smart streets will allow use of more lanes to better match traffic patterns.
• Creation of a _Connector_ bus. Bus similar to one in Washington, DC that only makes stops in the heart of each neighborhood (two stops if there are two distinct areas in each neighborhood)

Bicycle Infrastructure

Background: The City of Seattle has adopted a Bicycle Master Plan, which provides a vision for improving bicycling facilities in Seattle.

• Do you support the Bicycle Master Plan? [Yes/No only please]

Yes.

• If you support it, do you have ideas for improving the plan?

Provide more education in schools, partner with regional cycling events (STP, Ride around Rainier, etc...), and bring in a world-class cycling event.

• If you support it, how do you suggest the City fund the plan?

Work with bike manufacturers, outdoor equipment companies, local bicycling organizations, proceeds from a world class cycling event to the city, and a bike registration fee to fund.

Pedestrian Infrastructure

The City Council is considering whether to adopt a draft Pedestrian Master Plan.

• Do you support the Pedestrian Master Plan? [Yes/No only please]

Yes.

• If you support it, do you have ideas for improving the plan?

We need to fast track eco-friendly sidewalks in all of Seattle.

• If you support it, how do you suggest the City fund the plan?

General fund and small developer assessments.

Land Use and Multifamily Housing

Background: According to U.S. Census data cited in the Seattle Comprehensive Plan, about half of Seattle's households live in multifamily housing. Further, according to the Plan, approximately 40% of Seattle's total land area is set aside for residential use-35% for single-family residences but only 5% for multifamily dwellings. That 5% dedicated to multifamily housing tends to be concentrated in "urban villages" or along arterial streets, which are noisy and dirty. However, "backyard cottages" (also known as "detached accessory dwelling units) are also allowed in singe-family zones in Southeast Seattle.

• Would you support legislation to allow backyard cottages to be built in all single-family zones? [Yes/No only please]

Yes.

• Would you ever support a contract rezone or a broader rezone allowing for more housing to be built on a site? [Yes/No only please]

Yes.

• If you support the basic concept of rezoning, what criteria would you use in deciding on specific locations where more housing should be built?

First criteria will be to speak to the neighborhoods to understand where they would like additional housing to be built. Second criteria will be to locate near transit centers (current, planned, and proposed). Third criteria will be to locate in areas of mixed use development.

Many newly built townhouses in Seattle are architectural atrocities, and site plans tend to be car-dominated. Most townhouse developments are exempt from the City of Seattle's Design Review Program. It is also difficult to find attractive new condos and apartment buildings. To address some of these problems, the City Council is considering a package of revisions to the zoning code.

• Do you support the proposed revisions to the multifamily housing zoning code? [Yes/No only please]

Yes.

• If you support the revisions, do you have ideas for improving the proposed revisions?

We should ensure neighbors have a say during the design phase of development and not after the design is completed. I would also like to see a sign ordinance.

City Governance

• Do you support the "Vote Clean Seattle" plan, which is supported in principle by the City Council, to create a system for publicly funded campaigns in Seattle? [Yes/No only please]

Yes.

Creative Response

• If you have additional thoughts on how to improve Seattle's city government or to make Seattle a more livable and sustainable city, please note them here.

We need to have a government that listens to its citizens and is fully transparent and representative of our entire community. By encouraging civic participation from all citizens, we will create a society where all can achieve to their potential. Let's work together to build on our strengths by integrating science, technology, sustainability and civic involvement into the way we shape Seattle's future.