Christal Wood for Seattle Mayor

In a time of change, on the verge of an expected economic downturn, under the auspices of a highly contested federal administration, establishing clearer local control of certain areas of public policy (versus Federal) may in some cases prove necessary to address emergent issues and unique needs existent in this region. There are subjects upon which higher tiers of government are slow to move; or for one reason or another there are differing priorities.

While “leaving no child behind” is an admirable endeavor, standardized testing in grade school education remains one of the most contentious national policy issues. Supposedly at issue is the effectiveness of our public schools. However the current policy of “high-stakes” testing (upon which grade advancement depends) leaves students to bear the scrutiny, and pay the price, on behalf of the entire system.

This process is literally degrading to children at very young ages. It places labels and limits on the individual child in terms of learning and ability, while providing no clear solutions as to overall academic progress.

If high stakes national testing must be used as a measure of public school accountability and effectiveness, then testing standards and methods should be developed locally by school board partnerships with parents and teachers, in conjunction with Federal and state measures. Alternative measures of overall school accountability, such as independent performance audits, should also be considered to identify problems with administrative or fiduciary foundations.

On-going teaching forums should be encouraged, in order to exchange and collaborate on approaches to teaching and learning. Administrations should expand opportunities for innovation. Whatever can be done to improve social conditions on the whole will also serve to support the learning process.

For years the nation has waged an extensive “War on Drugs” with disastrous results. Here in the U.S., over 2 million individuals lay wasting in our prisons for non-violent drug offenses. Disparities in enforcement efforts and in drug law structure have led to grossly weighted demographic ratios in prosecution and incarceration. In South America, drug war efforts and military actions begin to move into the rainforests, causing untold human and ecological devastation.

As with alcohol prohibition before it, drug prohibition has led to black markets, violence, and organized crime networks associated with the distribution of contraband. Enforcement tactics have led to the violation of individual civil liberties, and needless loss of life. As with alcohol as well, drug usership has by most accounts remained constant throughout, and in fact, may be heightened by associated social attitudes and conditions.

Local governments must seek sane alternatives to incarceration and seizure for non-violent drug offenses. Local funding emphasis should be put toward confidential, voluntary treatment. As well, we must make a reasonable distinction between Marijuana and refined or synthetic substances that are seriously debilitating or lethal; and as such pose true threat to public safety.

I would seek moratorium on enforcement and seizures related to organic drugs produced within city limits, and urge concentration of regulatory efforts on the circulation and production refined, synthetic or lethal recreational drug substances. I would also call upon communities to find alternative ways of keeping citizens productive and positive, by addressing the underlying social and emotional issues that lead to substance abuse.

We are nationally caught in a cycle of dependence upon energy sources currently subject to national market gouging. The further decline of our natural resources and regression to nuclear power emerge as looming threats. Seattle must take it upon itself to proactively conserve, pioneer alternatives, and expand options. There are many alternatives, yet the national conversation continues to be dominated by existing power interests. Seattle City Light, our publicly owned light utility, has increasingly become a public liability in this sense. It must be made more effective in serving the needs of Seattle residents.

I propose that a request for proposals for, and review an alternative energy provision systems be conducted over the next two years, with an eye to beginning implementation by 2005. I would also work with regional and state legislatures to overcome barriers to energy self-sufficiency, as protection against the volatility of national and global power markets.

Seattle being a port city, its interests have always lay beyond the shore; however trade has taken on global proportions in many sectors and the impact of that is dubious. Seattle’s partnerships and international “free trade” arrangements have immense potential impact on our economy, employment base, our natural resources, our environment, and our health.

We must work to develop new trade standards, comprehensive of national and international trends. We should work to strengthen local trade and small businesses; and institute nutritional and labeling policies that are comprehensive of global trends and scientific developments. There must be a shift toward self-sufficiency, in order maintain economic stability.