The League of Quiet Skies Voters will hold a candidate forum on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019 for Port of Seattle Commission general-election candidates to discuss their views on Sea-Tac International Airport operations, expansion, and the potential impacts upon human health and the environment.
The details:
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, 6 – 8 p.m.
WHERE: Burien Community Center, 14700 6th Ave SW, Burien, WA 98166 (map below)
General election candidates for Port Position 2 – Sam Cho and Grant Degginger – have confirmed participation in the forum. Garth Jacobson – running for Port Position 5 – is also confirmed. “We are grateful that Mr. Cho, Mr. Degginger, and Mr. Jacobson will appear and discuss these issues that are of such importance to so many voters in King County – and in particular, voters among the 240,000 citizens in the six “airport neighbor communities” – Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, Normandy Park, Seatac, and Tukwila. We also know that airport operation increases and expansion has created high interest from other impacted communities – including Vashon-Maury Island, Kent, Beacon Hill, and many others” said Quiet Skies Coalition President Larry Cripe.
Scott Schaefer, South King Media founder and editor for seven hyper-local media news blogs, will serve as moderator. The format will include four segments: a brief candidate opening statement; a moderator-led question and answer session; community questions; and candidate closing remarks.
The League has been advised that Position 5 incumbent, Fred Felleman, will not be able to participate based upon a schedule conflict.
About the League of Quiet Skies Voters
As aircraft noise and emissions present increasing human health and environmental concerns, impact property values and public safety, and create social, economic, and environmental justice disparities, the League of Quiet Skies Voters seeks to empower voters living in the shadow of the 8th busiest airport in the United States with the information to fully understand the risks of this expansion, the alternatives, our rights and choices, and how to engage our policymakers for change. The League was created as an association of regional citizen-led groups including:
- Quiet Skies Puget Sound
- Quiet Skies Coalition
- Federal Way Air Noise Alliance
- The Briefing Project
The League’s Town Hall in April 2019, attended by an estimated 300 people, featured Congressman Adam Smith, Chris McCann, Washington State Representatives Mike Pellicciotti and Tina Orwall, and The Briefing Project’s Steve Edmiston.
For the 2019 primary elections, the League published candidate questionnaire responses addressing: (1) how to prioritize economic growth, meeting the need for increased travel and cargo, and addressing human health and environmental impacts; (2) adoption of the World Health Organization’s Environmental Noise Guidelines; (3) delaying airport expansion until pending scientific and aviation impact studies are completed; and (4) adoption of the Port of Seattle Airport Neighbor Community Accords. The candidate responses can be reviewed at https://www.loqsv.org/candidates.