From The League of Quiet Skies Voters:

In order to better inform the public during the 2019 elections, The League of Quiet Skies Voters sent a questionnaire focused on airport expansion issues to candidates running for seats in South King County and at the Port of Seattle.

Among other things, the League questionnaire asked candidates:

  1. How they prioritize economic growth, meeting the need for increased travel and cargo, and addressing human health and environmental impacts;
  2. If they endorse adoption of the World Health Organization’s Environmental Noise Guidelines;
  3. If the Port of Seattle should delay expansion until pending scientific and aviation impact studies are complete;
  4. If they endorse the Port of Seattle Airport Neighbor Community Accords.

Many candidates provided extensive narrative responses, and The League is extremely grateful to each candidate that took the time to complete the questionnaire. While the trends are clear in the metrics, the League encourages voters to closely review the accompanying narrative and detailed statements provided by many of the candidates. A PDF document containing each candidate’s response is linked to his/her name below.

Nearly all candidates prioritized addressing human health and environmental impacts from aviation above economic growth. Only one Port candidate – incumbent Fred Felleman – and three city candidates, Jeremy Nutting of Des Moines, Susan Honda of Federal Way, and Tony Pagliocco of Federal Way, prioritized economic growth over addressing human health and environmental impacts from aviation (note that nearly all candidates provided commentary discussing their responses).

Another interesting point of differentiation – 19 of the 22 respondents supported delaying Port-planned capital improvement projects, including Sea-Tac Airport expansion, until the results of the pending University of Washington aircraft ultrafine particle emission study and the pending Department of Commerce aviation impact study are completed. Again in the minority, Port incumbent Fred Felleman did not appear to agree to a delay; Port candidate Nina Martinez stated she would consider a delay; and SeaTac candidate Mohamed Ali Egal responded to the questionnaire but did not respond to this question. Again, nearly all candidates provided commentary discussing their responses.

Also popular with the clear majority of candidates was adoption of the World Health Organization’s Environmental Noise Guidelines (17 of 22 candidates), and endorsement of the Port of Seattle Airport Neighbor Community Accords (16 of 22 candidates).

The League reported an overall candidate response rate of 36% (22/61 candidates).

RESPONDING CANDIDATES:

DID NOT RESPOND:

  • Port of Seattle – Garth Jacobson; Jordan Lemmon; Kelly Charlton; Preeti Shridhar; Grant Degginger, Ali Scego
  • City of Burien – Cydney Moore; Joel Manning; Lucy Krakowiak; Charles Schaefer; Omaha Sternberg; Robert L. Richmond, III
  • Des Moines – Brianne Mattson
  • City of Federal Way – Lydia Assefa-Dawson; Rose O’Sharon (Sharry) Edwards; Lamont Styles; Mark Koppang; Jamila Taylor; Katherine Festa
  • City of Normandy Park – Dave Emert; Terry West; Dan Hignite; Jonathan Chicquette; Craig Daly; Michelle Sipes-Marvin; Kathleen Sherry; Sue-Ann Hohimer
  • City of SeaTac – Senayet Negusse; Tony Anderson; Rita Palomino Marlow; Damiana Merryweather; Stan Tombs; Takele Gobena; Erin Sitterley
  • City of Tukwila – Kathy Hougardy; Nancy J. Manos; Dennis Martinez; Cynthia Delostrinos Johnson; Tosh Sharp

CANDIDATE FORUM IS SEPT. 19:
The League will sponsor a candidate forum for Port of Seattle general-election candidates from 6 – 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2019, at the Burien Community Center (14700 6th Ave SW, Burien, WA 98166).

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