By Lindsay Peyton

Unlike most debates, the candidates rarely – if ever – disagreed on issues raised during the mayoral candidate forum hosted by the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce.  

The event, held on Thursday, July 20 at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, featured three candidates – State Rep. Bob Hasegawa, Cary Moon and former Mayor Michael McGinn. 

Moon, an urban planner and engineer, is convinced that the city has much potential, given the progressive minds of the population and the wealth of jobs. 

“But we are becoming a city of haves and have-nots,” she said. “We need to do something about that. Now is the time.”

The other two candidates agreed, and all were against adding more regressive taxes -- and instead favor more progressive funding methods. 

“We have the most regressive tax structure in the country,” Moon said. 

“We keep going back to the same regressive tax wells,” Hasegawa said. 

All of the candidates expressed concern about the lack of enough affordable housing in Seattle and the rising number of homeless residents. 

“We’re pushing people into homelessness faster than we were pulling them out,” Moon said. “We absolutely have to solve this problem at its root.”

She suggested looking at mental health programs, transitional housing, affordable housing options and protections against evictions, she said. 

“We can’t count on the state or federal government to come to the rescue,” McGinn said. “First and foremost, we have to provide shelter for our people, which isn’t in our parks or on our streets.”

Hasegawa noted that rising rental rates are forcing working class families out of their homes. 

“The first rule of fighting homelessness is to keep people in their homes,” he said. “There are so many people who are just one paycheck away from homelessness. There’s no stable work anymore. It’s not lifetime employment like it was in the day.”

The candidates also wanted to speed up changes to infrastructure that can result in better transportation options. 

McGinn said West Seattle needs light rail service sooner than planned by Sound Transit.

“We’re going to have to get creative with financing,” he said. “The number of cars isn’t going away.”

Moon said the area needs more RapidRide lines. “There’s simply not enough bus service to West Seattle,” she said.

Hasegawa purposed building a publicly owned municipal bank to fund projects like light rail. 

“West Seattle is like Ballard; you just can’t get there from anywhere,” he said. “Transit is the obvious solution to getting people off the highway.”

When asked which characteristic of Seattle each candidate wanted to preserve, Hasegawa said “sense of community.”

Moon pointed to the socio-economic mix, while McGinn said the open and welcoming attitude and the city’s idealism. 

All three candidates agreed that the city’s Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda was misguided. 

They also agreed in building more support for the arts and education in the city. 

In addition, the candidates are in support of safe injection sites. They are also supportive of small landlords, local businesses and listening closer to neighborhoods.

“We’re all good people,” Hasegawa said. “There are no bad choices.”

He believes his strength as a candidate comes from his resume as a state representative. 

“We can once again be a city by and for the people – not just by and for the people with money,” he said. 

McGinn stands on his experience as a former mayor. “It was a hard job, and I had to learn on the job,” he said. “I think I’m a little older, I’m a little wiser and I’m a little more humble.”

He pledges to be present in the community and listen to residents’ concerns. “I believe in Seattle; this is a special place,” he said.  

Moon said her work as a city planner sets her apart. 

“The three of us have very similar values,” she said. 

She added that in this time of flux for the city, a strong leader with a constructive vision is integral. 

Now it’s up to the voters to see who best fits that bill. 

Primary ballots have already been mailed out for the King County Elections. The deadline is Tuesday, Aug. 1.  

For more information, visit www.kingcounty.gov/depts/elections.aspx.