Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell

In January 2009, a 93-year-old Michigan man died as a result of freezing indoors just after the local power company restricted his use of electricity because of unpaid bills. As we approach incredible cold weather, our office monitors what occurs in other cities to make sure we don’t repeat the same mistakes.

Our Energy and Technology Committee has taken steps to make sure this does not happen here. Recognizing the challenges our lower income residents have, we required the utility to exert stronger advocacy efforts to generate volunteerism in our electric bill assistance program and this resulted in approximately $258,000 in donations. Based on these efforts, I am proud to report that we have achieved a 17 percent increase in donations from 2008. In 2010, the ETC Committee will approve legislation to accept and allocate almost $800,000 from an Enron settlement to be available for low-income energy assistance. In Seattle, we care about our neighbors and we will continue to take measures to make sure the Michigan tragedy does not happen here.

Project Share Website – Contribute Online: http://www.seattle.gov/light/HELP/Share/

People must be kept warm!

On November 30, 2009, I introduced an RSJI Resolution to the Full Council which reinforces and energizes efforts to: 1) end racial and social disparities internal to the City; 2) strengthen the way the City engages and provides services to all communities; and 3) lead in efforts to eliminate socio-economic disparities in our city. I have asked that the policy work of Seattle’s Office of Civil Rights fall under my ETC Committee for 2010 and 2011. The Council’s chambers were filled with RSJI supporters from city departments, the Mayor’s office and community leaders. I wrote an op-ed in the Saturday, November 28th edition of the Seattle Times (link). You can find the long version of that piece here: http://www.bruceharrell.org/2009/11/moving-seattle-beyond-race-to-inclusiveness/

In 2005, Mayor Nickels launched the RSJI to raise awareness and end institutional racism and social disparity. All city departments were expected to implement an RSJI work plan. I will work with the new executive in making sure this important work reaches new heights. Our goal of inclusiveness will result in economic development, improved public safety and improved schools. I am committed to ensuring that this work moves beyond City government and into our communities and that services are equally obtainable to everyone regardless of skin color, socioeconomic status or language spoken. With inclusion, everyone wins.

You can view the Resolution here: http://clerk.ci.seattle.wa.us/~scripts/nph-brs.exe?s1=&s3=&s2=&s4=Race+and+Social+Justice&Sect4=AND&l=20&Sect2=THESON&Sect3=PLURON&Sect5=RESN1&Sect6=HITOFF&d=RES3&p=1&u=%2F~public%2Fresn1.htm&r=1&f=G

Link to Seattle Channel Full Council Video: http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=2020947

Sections of Aurora Avenue North have long been a subject of concern for neighbors, business owners, policy makers and law enforcement officials in our City. Some areas of Aurora have become a haven for prostitution, drugs and crime. This cuts against some of the tremendous progress made on Aurora relative to business growth, transportation improvements and economic development. I agree that prostitution, drug dealing and other criminal misconduct on some parts of Aurora and other parts of our city need to be addressed immediately. Therefore, I am supportive of legislation designed to assist our police department and City Attorney’s office address these problem areas and supported the passage of Council Bill 116667. This Bill modified the City’s nuisance laws and gave clarity to the definition of a nuisance by focusing on the criminal misconduct elements. It also modified the laws to impose greater liability to the property owner in the event of a chronic, unresolved criminal problem. I am hopeful that it will be effective in dealing with problematic property owners and geographic areas and I will monitor its implementation to make sure that the ordinance is enforced fairly and lawfully. At the end of the day, I want clean and safe areas in all parts of our city.