Pictured left, Randy Engstrom, director, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, gives an overview of the center's history, activities, and future needs to Seattle Mayoral candidate Joe Mallahan, who toured the center after chatting with pedestrians and business owners in the Junction. He was then on his way to Seacrest Park.
Seattle mayoral candidate Joe Mallahan, who battles it out with Mike McGinn for the top prize on Tuesday's election day, took a tour of three West Seattle locations Sunday, Nov. 1. Invited and escorted by community activists Vlad Oustimovitch, Pete Spalding, and West Seattle Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Patricia Mullen, Mallahan did a meet and greet at the Alaska Junction, toured the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, and checked out Seacrest Park.
Mallahan has some important family connections in Wesst Seattle. His uncle, Father James Mallahan, was Holy Rosary's parish priest in the 1980's, and his brother Pat, a house painter, lives in West Seattle.
"At this point I'm in learning mode," Mallahan told the West Seattle Herald in an exclusive interview. "Every time I'm over here I am struck by how engaged and energetic West Seattleites are. It's clear that when West Seattle residents are given the tools and resources to make things happen, they happen.
"We've got to get the economy back on track," he continued. "I think a mayor's roll is to insure that all the city departments understand that all the city's residents and businesses are the customer and we just have to always be focused on them succeeding and not having the city get in the way which I think happens too often."
