| Video Voters' Guide Statement For | |
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Click Here to View the Video Statement |
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| Statement For | |
| By amending the Seattle City Charter, we clarify certain sections, delete or change certain provisions that have become obsolete or eclipsed by state law, and bring provisions into line with the present needs and expectations of the citizens and officials of Seattle. The Charter's premise that the Chief of Police will be selected by competitive examination is neither practical nor practiced. The process for this selection does not need to be specified by Charter. Proposition 10 eliminates this requirement. | |
| Statement prepared by: | |
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Paul Schell, Mayor, City of Seattle Sue Donaldson, President, Seattle City Council |
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| Rebuttal to Statement For | |
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The charter process is practical and practiced. The mayor sets
up and conducts the process of selecting the chief. Only the
charter can specify a process for selecting the chief of police. An
ordinance cannot add qualifications for the office, control the
mayor's selection process or limit the mayor's discretion.
Filing the records of competitive examinations of candidates for police chief lets the public know and comment upon the applicants before the city council considers confirmation. Public input is important. Citizens must be assured that we have a highly qualified, experienced police chief. Our liberties are at stake. Citizens need protection against poor and ineffective policing. An objective, competitive process protects the public. This charter amendment represents a major shift in authority and policy. The proponents' argument omits this disclaimer to the contrary that is included in the pro statements of other proposed charter amendments. |
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| Rebuttal prepared by: | |
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Jorgen Bader Jeannie Hale |
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