Last year, I attended an extraordinary meeting at the Capitol Hill Arts Center (CHAC – recently replaced by Velocity Dance) on the issue of lost arts space on Capitol Hill. The event that triggered the meeting was the sale of a long-time arts bastion there, Odd Fellows Hall, which resulted in many arts and cultural groups losing the inexpensive space that had kept them active, some for decades. Over 200 people jammed into CHAC that night to voice concern and outrage. I later invited the organizers of that CHAC meeting to suggest a remedy. They proposed an arts overlay district. Thus, CODAC was formed by me and Councilmember Sally Clark.

Who says art and democracy do not mix? Sixteen poets are candidates for the Seattle Poet Populist election happening right now. This marks the seventh election in the city-wide arts program. Polls are now open at www.poetpopulist.org. Vote! And, if you have no idea who to vote for, you should soon be able to watch each candidate’s recent performance at the Central Library and at Richard Hugo House on our web site, here: www.seattlechannel.org. Type the words ‘poet populist’ in the ‘Video Search’ box toward the bottom of the page.

It’s summer in Seattle, which means it’s time once again for the Seattle Poet Populist Election. Seattle residents can vote until August 21st for their favorite Seattle poet to be crowned the 2006-2007 Seattle Poet Populist. Go to www.seattlepoetpopulist.org to cast your e-vote. As with any Seattle election, only Seattle residents are allowed to vote. In order to ensure legitimate candidates, Seattle’s literary organizations and curators were invited to submit nominations. The one candidate receiving the most votes wins and takes ‘office’ as the official Poet Populist of Seattle. The winner receives a $500 cash award from One Reel, the producers of Bumbershoot.

The 2nd College Edition of the American Heritage Dictionary defines a laureate as one who receives highest honors. Poet Laureates are traditionally hand-picked by Governors, Mayors, or Kings. A Poet Populist, in contrast to being anointed by someone of authority, is made official by a popular vote of the people.

Seattle’s Poet Populist is expected to represent and promote the principals of populist poetic expression throughout our Seattle when performing during his or her one-year term. One original poem will be commissioned of the Poet Populist.

There are ONLY 4 days left for Open 2002 Poet Populist nominations! A number of nominations have already been received and it is a great sign of our local talent pool, but more nominations in order for a handful of poets to “stand out in the crowd.”

Recent events in the Pioneer Square Historic District have turned Seattle’s oldest neighborhood inside out. Between Mardi Gras and the Nisqually Quake, this community of artists, small retail establishments and restaurants, residents, and music venues is struggling to maintain its vitality in the face of destruction.

Last year, I initiated a City-wide celebration intended to honor the many artists and arts groups working to enhance their communities. On February 13, 1999, 25 performers and performance groups, along with 14 exhibiting organizations, persented their work at the Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall downtown. Bernard Harris, Jr., was elected Poet Populist in Seattle’s first such election.

At Monday’s (4/12/99) Full City Council Meeting, the Council passed Resolution #29926 that I sponsored along with Peter Steinbrueck and Richard Conlin by a vote of 8-0. The Resolution expresses Seattle’s concern with provisions in the MAI that could restrict the City’s ability to regulate the activities of individuals or corporations impacting land uses, labor practices and the environment.

There will be 3 Public Workshops to help the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation revise its Public Involvement Policy. These meetings were set up under the auspices of City Council Parks Citizen Participation Resolution 29845, which I sponsored in response to citizen complaints that I had received regarding the Parks Departments development plans for some neighborhood parks.