With jobs to be saved, the city wants its departments to raise revenues any way it can. But, especially in this economy, isn't the city going too far when it proposes opening its own store in competition with existing recyclers and second-hand stores?
The city let the spending flow during good times, playing generous with everything. Now, the revenue has slowed and the challenges are huge. A good place to start with cuts is at the top, where the big salaries are.
When it comes to dealing with crime complaints, hand wringing and political posturing are the classic Seattle responses. A visiting expert talks about pragmatic, humane approaches a new police chief might make work.
In the next few years, federal guidelines for urban renewal will no longer protect Pike Place Market. There are looming mandates to be financially sustainable. And newcomers' lack of market memories could be the biggest threat of all to preserving the market.
Everything these days has to be 'smart.' Were we just dumb before?
