Seattle mayor envisions volunteer "army" helping others

In a speech that displayed plainly the limitations of the city government to address a bleak economic reality, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels urged residents Tuesday to come together during tough times.

The mayor announced only one new initiative in his annual State of the City address: a partnership with the local United Way chapter to recruit 10,000 new volunteers. An "army" of volunteers would cook meals for senior citizens, staff cancer-survivor hot lines, pick up donated merchandise for those in need and organize diaper drives.

"Despite their worries, people — especially young people — want to help. ... It is up to us to capture this spirit. Neighbor by neighbor, business by business, we must lend each other a helping hand. This is how we will emerge from this crisis stronger," Nickels told a crowd of city staff, community members and Seattle City Council members at the Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club in Southeast Seattle.

"We know that better times will come only if we stand strong together," he said.

The mayor, who is running this year for a third term, spent much of his speech reflecting on city initiatives already in place. He cited record transit ridership, recycling and library use as causes for optimism. And he gave his administration credit for successful development in the Northgate and South Lake Union neighborhoods.

His work, Nickels said, helped solve three of Seattle's biggest transportation puzzlers: the Spokane Street Viaduct, the so-called "Mercer Mess" and the replacement of the earthquake-damaged Alaskan Way Viaduct. And Nickels said voters' approval last fall of a light-rail expansion he backed ended 40 years of "dickering and debate" over mass transit in Seattle.

"Within a decade and a half, we will finally have a transportation system worthy of this great region," he said.

As Nickels talked of economic troubles, he did not mention expected layoffs in the city's Department of Planning and Development. Alex Fryer, the mayor's spokesman, said later Tuesday that layoffs in that department would not exceed 10 percent, or 43 workers. Cutbacks would not occur before the end of March, Fryer said.

In an interview with reporters immediately after his speech, Nickels wouldn't rule out layoffs for city workers.

During his address, Nickels said the city can expect a continuing decline in tax revenue when new economic reports are released next month, and pointed to his work to increase the city's rainy-day fund.

"For months, we have seen the gathering clouds of an economic downturn and hoped we would be spared, but today we find ourselves in the middle of the storm," he said.

No candidates have formally declared their intent to challenge Nickels this fall, despite speculation in political circles that low-approval ratings make him vulnerable.

Councilmember Tim Burgess said Tuesday he is exploring the possibility of running against the mayor.

"The more I watch how the city is moving or not moving forward, the more concerned I become," Burgess said. Specifically, he said he worries city government is out of touch, and that Seattle is perceived regionally as a bully. "I think it may be time for new blood and new vision in our city," he said.

Developer Greg Smith has decided against a mayoral run, according to his spokesman, but City Councilmember Nick Licata is considering it.

Council members said they were pleased the mayor didn't propose a string of new initiatives in his speech.

It's not the time for new initiatives, said Council President Richard Conlin.

"The stuff that's going on has got to be in place," he said. "We have to actually accomplish these things."

Licata said the mayor struck the right tone.

"During these economically troubled times, people need to hear from their leaders that we're going in the right direction," he said.

The mayor left no question there was work to be done.

Even as he cited low crime statistics and a successful beginning to the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative, he called out by name a half-dozen young people shot over the last year, including a 26-year-old music promoter who was shot and killed in the Central Area early Monday.

Emily Heffter: 206-464-8246 or eheffter@seattletimes.com