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The Council Wants Your Advice—But Are They Finally Ready to Listen?

Dominic Holden — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:37:33 -0700

The Seattle City Council's chief spokeswoman, Laura Lockard, just issued a statement asking writers like myself to let folks like yourself know that the council wants applicants for the Seattle Human Rights Commission. Five seats are open. Lockard explains what you'd do: "The Commission advises the Mayor and City Council on human rights and social justice issues."

The problem is this: Most council members have ignored the commission when it counted. Sure, sure, they don't have to listen to the commission if they don't want. And, well, they don't.

We have a recent example of a time when the commission's analysis was pertinent to pending legislation, in 2010, when the council was considering a controversial bill to penalize aggressive panhandlers (who already face criminal penalties) with further fines. In a unanimous vote against the measure and following up with a blistering 15-page report, the commission warned that the bill created due process concerns, was prone to selective enforcement, and ultimately "does not comply with human rights standards." At the final council hearing, bill sponsor Tim Burgess didn't provide copies of the report (instead he splayed out lots of papers showering support for his own legislation) and neither did Lockard. In fact, Lockard sneered when I asked her about the commission's report at that hearing, telling me that the commission only "gets as much weight as public comment."

In the end, most council members voted against the commission's advice. That is, Sally Bagshaw, Tim Burgess, Sally Clark, Richard Conlin, and Jean Godden told the unanimous commission to shove a cork in it.

Now they're asking you to join it. Sigh.

But I think you should apply anyway. In fact, I may even apply. The Seattle Human Rights Commission is stacked with brilliant, sane, forward-thinking people. Attorneys Chris Stearns and Roslyn Solomon to name two. They do great work, such as recently issuing a report on recommendations for police accountability.

And if you're sharp at fuck (unlike me), you should apply. Send an email here by May 31 with your resume and cover letter. Because the commission does make a difference. In the end, McGinn vetoed the council's odious panhandling bill—largely thanks to the commission's footwork. And this time around, if the council has an ounce of wit, it will take the commission's advice more seriously and jettison liabilities like Lockard.

The Stranger, Seattle's Only Newspaper

The Council Wants Your Advice—But Are They Finally Ready to Listen?

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