Click the ‘Play’ button to listen to raw audio of the forum.

In front of a crowd of over 50 local voters, our final 2015 Burien City Council Candidate Forum – which pitted incumbent Bob Edgar vs Holli Giffin for Position #2 – was held at the ERAC Building on Tuesday night, Oct. 13. Moderated by our Senior Writer Jack Mayne, the forum ran for just over an hour. Courtesy Pat Lemoine is raw video of the forum: [youtube]https://youtu.be/xjxprH4c_-g[/youtube] Here are photos by Michael Brunk (click images to see larger versions/slideshow):
Photo by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com
Photo by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com
Photo by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com
Photo by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com
Photo by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com
Photo by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com
Photo by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com
Photo by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com
Photo by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com
Photo by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com
Photo by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com
Photo by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com
Photo by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com
Photo by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com
Photo by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com
Photo by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com
Photo by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com
Photo by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com
Photo by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com
Photo by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com
Photo by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com
Photo by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com
Photo by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com
Photo by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com
Photo by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com
Photo by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com
Photo by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com
Photo by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com
Ballots should arrive soon, and the deadline to vote is Tuesday, Nov. 3.]]>

Since 2007, The B-Town Blog is Burien’s multiple award-winning hyperlocal news/events website dedicated to independent journalism.

22 replies on “VIDEO/PHOTOS/AUDIO: Bob Edgar vs Holli Giffin at our final 2015 Forum”

  1. Found this today comment on another post on the Btown Blog, and confirmed by visiting Rob’s page.
    The kind rhetoric of the Giffin campaign:
    “Just saw Darla and her crew of idiots on the street corner of 148th and 1st waving and hoisting signs. Didn’t she say at a council meeting if you can stand on a street corner begging for 8 hours, you can get a job?” – Rob Johnson Campaign manager, Holli Giffin campaign.
    From his public Facebook page.

    1. In reply to Rob Johnson there is no surprise in his comments.
      It would be instructive for Rob to do some vetting before he decides to jump on anyone bandwagon. Holli Giffen?? Really???
      In a signed document to the 34th District Democrats Holli admits she “failed to pay several creditors/credit cards and have default judgments arising from those debts. Currently, pending bankruptcy.”
      The position of a city council member is, in part, responsible for the finances of the city present and future. How, if Holli after ten years of practicing law, how is it that she is in bankruptcy? Does the word responsibility come into mind? Ten years of practicing law and i the courts and she is in bankruptcy. I am not an attorney but I have never filed bankruptcy. I am responsible for my debts and even more so responsible for the choices that go into financial decisions.
      Can the people of Burien afford a councilmember with this proven record of personal financial irresponsibility? What would such a person do to the city’s finances? Have we had enough of people moving into Burien just to run for political office?
      Her signed document is available on the internet.

    2. I didn’t see it on his FaceBook page or on another B-Town post, as the original poster stated. Also, he is being vague, but the OP does not come right out and say that Rob Johnson was the one that mde the comment.
      Come on people, have you even read some of the negative comments that you people are posting about Holli? In kind, does that make Darla look bad becuase you are all supporting her? Everyone is entitled to their opinion, none of you rise above any other of us.

  2. It seems the same homeless advocacy group from outside Burien has nothing better to do than crash this event as well, Their antics achieve nothing as their method of intimidation just makes them the bully in room.

    1. Do you think peaceful demonstration is bullying just because you don’t agree? They were quiet and respectful. I didn’t even know they were there till I turned around at the end.

      1. Quiet and respectful? You must not have heard them yelling at people after the debate ended.

  3. Holli’s statement “I am currently looking for a job, if any one is hiring?” is both heart warming and embarrassing. Considering she used to be a public defender from 2004 to 2011 ( Yes an unemployed lawyer), and is currently pending bankruptcy (as of 7-13-15), an inability to speak publicly, a minimal knowledge of local issues, then factor in admitting to not having done anything for this community including volunteering, block watch, or anything else in Burien. I don’t want to be mean but Holli seems hard pressed to run her own life much less be qualified to run a city. Could someone please give Holli a job, she seems to be a really nice person, just not as a member of the city council.
    Bob Edgar on the other hand easily won this forum, is by far more qualified, has been fully involved in this community, and has demonstrated he has Burien’s best interests at heart.

    1. On since when do you live in burien this for burien city council not white center.
      Also you don’t have much of record for telling the truth when it comes to political matters.
      Also the annexation is off the table for burien
      Your starting to sound like the farther charter from the movie HIT’S.

  4. Burien’s taxpayers deserve the most fiscally responsible council possible and, from a cursory examination of Ms. Giffin’s public records, I have learned that she chose bankruptcy for a debt of $16,000. Not only does this reveal a lack of character, it worries me that someone who could not manage (or worse, chose not to manage) to pay off such a debt is not at all qualified to manage millions in public funds responsibly.
    After having watched this debate I am left with the belief Ms. Giffin lacks any passion for the positions she espouses. I appreciate her willingness to subject herself to what has to be painful scrutiny, but in no way do I see a capable leader in Holli Giffin.

  5. I have just finished watching this, and all I can think is: this poor, poor dear child. What has she gotten herself into? Then I think, dear God, is this the best Burien can offer as an opponent to an incumbent? The people who put her up to this should be ashamed of themselves.
    Then to have your personal business splashed all over this blog.
    Shame on who ever put her up there woefully unprepared and lacking the public speaking skills and background she needed to present herself.
    Mr. Edgar clearly has the knowledge, life skills and experience Burien desperately needs.
    Poor thing.

    1. “Shame on who ever put her up there woefully unprepared and lacking the public speaking skills and background she needed to present herself. ” That would be (among others) her Campaign Manager, Rob Johnson.

      1. And Jeff Upthegrove, her consultant. Also consultant to Bell and Seattle’s Sawant and also treasurer of the 15 Now organization.

        1. The 34th District Democrats also have endorsed Holli Giffin along with Jon Scherer and Austin Bell. They also pushed very hard for annexation. Remember both Jon and Austin have chosen to be neutral on annexation. Wonder what will happen if Burien gets a pro/neutral-annexation majority on the council?

  6. Darla did say that, she also worked 12 hours today trying to reach voters – I agree with her, if you are able bodied enough to stand a corner and beg for money for hours on end your capable of working, with the states jobless rate being the lowest it’s been in 7 years at 5.2% you can’t tell me that there aren’t jobs available.

  7. As I read these bitchy, rude, judgy, posts – I am becoming embarrased to say that I live in Burien.
    Holli filing for bankruptcy because she lost her job, due to no fault of her own, does not mean she can’t manage her life! As a matter of fact, THIS is one of many reason’s people become homeless!!! So many of us are one paycheck away from living on the streets! You better hope it doesn’t happen to you if Darla is elected, She will run your lazy ass out of town! The City Council as a whole votes on where certain funds are spent, Holli wouldn’t be making these decisions on her own!

    1. A distinct difference exists between being homeless by a life event(s) and being a street bum panhandler with no intent to better ones lot in life. It would help your argument if you would realize that reality.

    2. Burien Taxpayer- did she also lose her job in 2012 when Wells Fargo filed a judgement against her in King County Superior court? Or 2013 when Portfolio Recovery filed against her, or 2014 when Discover Bank and Midland Funding filed judgements, or the 2015 judgement from American Express? She filed for bankruptcy 6/2015. Is the life management skills you speak of?
      Face it, this it to much for her at this time in her life. Maybe she should try again later after she gets her life in order.
      Unemployed and finacial broken. We need stable people making decisions for our city.

  8. The video speaks for itself. It is the words out of the mouth of the candidates. You need to watch all 3 videos and see the surprises at the end of each video. After you have seen them, you will be in a better position to vote for qualified Council Members.

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