This weekend I sent out a letter to supporters announcing that I would be seeking another term on the Seattle City Council and not running for mayor or retiring entirely from Municipal government.

Below is copy from the letter that was sent to Licata’s supporters:

“After considerable reflection on how to best serve the community I love, I am happy to announce that I will run for re-election to the City Council.

A number of you urged me to run for mayor, but I feel my role as a legislator, writing the laws that govern our city, is the one that suits me best. And while I had considered working on a national level, as a council member, I will continue bringing other municipal officials together to work with the new Obama administration towards the improvement of our long neglected cities.

Last week at a committee meeting, I realized once again that I ask the questions and seek information and facts that others do not. I aggressively defend our city’s social and physical environment, but I do so with an understanding that at time compromises must be made. When word spread that I might not run again for public office, many of you told me how concerned you were that my strong voice on the council would no longer be heard. I heard you and now I hope you will join me in my efforts to continue being your council member.

As people lose jobs and possibly their homes, Seattle residents face an uncertain future. I am a determined and consistent champion for greater transparency in decision making, greater efficiency in our spending and greater benefits for the public welfare. These are the qualities critical to sustain the common good in tough economic times.

Here are examples from just the last six months of my 11-year record representing you:

In May, my consistent questioning unearthed a transportation report that had been buried for over a year, revealing that the $200 million Mercer Project will result in more congestion (and greater air pollution) than even the current conditions of the “Mercer mess.”

In November, against the opposition of some on the council, I succeeded, with a 5-4 vote, in forming an expert advisory committee to check the assumptions of the city’s decision to spend $110 million to build a new city jail.

And just last week, I won a 6 to 3 vote, preserving the right to appeal noise pollution conditions during major public projects to the Hearing Examiner so that our citizens can get a good night’s rest before going to work, school or simply beginning their day.

With your help, I can continue being the voice, your voice, on the council that argues for public resources to be fairly shared with all of our business and residential neighborhoods. With that effort I pledge to continue my “open door” policy of meeting with people whether I agree with them or not. I believe only by listening will workable solutions result.”