Ballard will not gain anything, in my opinion, from reelecting Jean Godden to the Seattle City Council. Jean did nothing to prevent Safeway from using a brief gap in pedestrian zoning at Crown Hill so a gas station, which I have opposed since 2000, will soon be built at 15th Northwest and Northwest 83rd.

Not only that, at a council committee meeting not long ago the subject of climate change came up and Jean said something to the effect of, "I like Seattle's climate." Something tells me we need someone a little more in tune with the challenges of the day.

Joe Szwaja is a progressive who has been teaching high school students about climate change, human rights and what it means to be a responsible citizen for 14 years in Seattle's schools. One of his former students actually said Joe was one of the few people he'd trust with power. From a high school student that is a profound endorsement.

Joe also served several terms on the Madison, Wisc., city council, where he was able to get progressive legislation adopted.

But Joe's appeal to me is simply that he is not courting favor with the downtown business establishment, the local billionaires who seem to have the ear of the mayor, and the developers who are quickly building on any square inch of land with the right zoning so they can line their own pockets while there is money to be made.

He's listening to neighborhood groups, trying to figure out how to create communities that reflect a growing desire for sustainability and reasonableness, in other words, places where people want to live and find jobs, and raise children who can walk to decent schools. He knows what the real problems are, he brings an open mind and a willingness to listen.

Jean just brings the gossip from her hairdresser, and very tired ideas to the table. Her incumbency should not be a reason for reelection. Her ties to the Seattle Times and the big shots downtown don't help local communities like Ballard. Joe offers a breath of fresh air.

Andrea Faste

Whittier Heights