2003 Candidate Questionnaire

 

SECTION I               

 

BASIC CANDIDATE INFORMATION

 

1.      Name as it will appear on the ballot

 

First Name

Middle Initial or Nick Name

Last Name

Robert

     

Rosencrantz

 

2.   Office sought (include office, jurisdiction, position/district number):

 

Seattle City Council Position 1

 

3.   Are you the incumbent?                           No

 

 

4.   How long have you resided in this district/city?

 

43 years

 

5.   How long have you resided in King County?

 

43 years

 

6.   Is the office sought partisan or nonpartisan?           Nonpartisan         

                                                                                                                       

7.   If partisan, please indicate party:       

 

CAMPAIGN CONTACTS

 

Campaign Name:

Rosencrantz for City Council

 

Address:

 

1866 East Shelby Street

 

City/State/Zip:

 

Seattle, Washington  98112

 

Campaign Phone:

 

206-726-9999

 

 

Campaign Fax:

 

206-Fax-Rose

 

 

Campaign E-mail:

 

robert@robertrosencrantz.com

 

 

Campaign Website:

 

www.robertrosencrantz.com

 

 

POLITICAL BACKGROUND

 

1.   Beginning with the most recent position, please list public offices which you have held.  Include positions on appointive Boards or Commissions.

 

Public Office

Elective or Appointive?

Dates Held

Leadership Role (if any)

None

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

 

2.   If you ran for public office but were not elected, please list those races below:

 

Office Title

Year of Run

None

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 


 


SECTION III

 

In this section, we are seeking responses that reflect the four ratings criteria: involvement, effectiveness, character, and knowledge.  These are defined as follows:

 

  • Involvement: What has the candidate done previously in family, neighborhood, community, volunteer work, employment or public life to suggest readiness to accomplish challenging objectives? How do these activities demonstrate readiness for the challenges unique to the office sought?

 

  • Effectiveness: Has the candidate demonstrated promise of being productive in the office sought?  Has the candidate shown the ability to work with other people?

 

  • Character: Do the candidate's personal traits show the ability to take on the responsibilities of campaigning for and holding the public office she or he is seeking? Is the candidate a leader, participant or observer?  Is the candidate trustworthy, reliable and candid?

 

  • Knowledge: Has the candidate demonstrated the willingness and ability to learn and adapt?  Does the candidate understand the duties and challenges of the office sought?  Does the candidate have a firm grasp of the issues important to his or her constituency and their potential effects?

 

 

1.      In a page or less, why are you running for this office?  (Note: the interview committee will be given a copy of this statement before your interview; at the beginning of your interview you will have the opportunity to expand on this statement in any way you wish.)

 

This election is about whether we’ll have a City Council moving the City forward or a City Council adrift.  It’s about having experience, maturity, character, & judgment, so that even under pressure, careful consideration is given to the consequences of one’s actions.  It’s about always remembering this isn’t about any individual, it’s about the people of Seattle.

 

I’m running for Seattle City Council to put my two decades of experience in business and government to work making Seattle stronger, safer, and more prosperous.  To make sure people have jobs, have homes and are safe in their homes and on the streets, that our children have a city that works for them, and to serve those most in need.

 

My campaign is about 5 things:

 

1. It’s about Salmon Bay Sand & Gravel, part of our working waterfront.  It’s been in business almost 100 years and employs over 50 people.  Seattle has hundreds of maritime / industrial business like Salmon Bay Sand & Gravel providing thousands of well-paying jobs, and the city often makes it more difficult than it should be for them to stay in business.  The permitting and regulatory processes are unpredictable and uncertain.  Combined with votes like the one to cut open a critical transportation artery with a bicycle trail, the City Council makes it appear that they just don't get it when it comes to business.  Are we going to respect our century-old waterfront and manufacturing heritage and recognize its importance to our city’s economy, or are we going squander it away through misguided public policy?   My campaign is supported by Salmon Bay Sand & Gravel and many businesses like it because they know I understand the need for economic diversity and the strong relationship between family-wage jobs and quality of life.  They also know that my 20 years of experience building, managing, advising and running businesses means I've had to have faced the same challenges they do every day. 

 

2.  My campaign is about Microsoft and the knowledge economy.  In order to thrive we must have the will and the skill to attract and keep the best and the brightest to the University of Washington, South Lake Union, and yes, the Microsoft Seattle Campus I’ve been advocating for over a year.   William Justen and Greg Smith are talking about a Microsoft campus in their vision for the redevelopment of "South Downtown."  My campaign is supported by the Alki Foundation, because its members believe my experience and skills are transferable to the City Council, which will play a significant role in either opening the gates to a Microsoft Campus in Seattle or losing those jobs to other cities.

 

3.  My campaign is about the Viaduct and Alaskan Way, and remaking our roads and transit systems.   We must have vision, think boldly, and execute well.  My campaign is supported by my Uncle Fred.  He’s family, so you might expect him to support me.  But he's watched me my whole life, and believes I have the right stuff for the big decisions we'll be making.  He was the project architect on the Space Needle, and 40 years ago was saying we needed to include two all-purpose lanes on I-5 for future mass transit systems.  He was ignored that still disappoints him.  I’ve learned from him and won’t allow the same mistakes to happen.

 

4.  My campaign is about the corner of 23rd and Union, and the social fabric and social contract we have with ALL the people of this city.  I watched as a kid as history accumulated its obligations to that area, and want to make good on them.  My campaign is supported by the Seattle Black Firefighters Association, because they believe me, trust me, and accept in good-faith the sincerity of my goals.  I won’t just talk about bridging the divides that exist between us; I’ll show up and do something about them.

 

5.  My campaign is about the City Council we have.  It’s adrift.  Is the City Council going to captain the SS Minnow or the Kon-Tiki?  Will its Members have the needed character, energy, judgment, common sense and experience to rise to the challenges we face?  I will.   My campaign is supported by Dan Evans, Norm Maleng, Joni Henry, Mark Sidran, Vivian McLean, and Wes Uhlman, people who have tremendous perspective on our City and its challenges and believe I’m the right person at the right time for the job.

 

 


 

2.      Describe your most important personal characteristics or traits as they relate to the office you seek.

 

Character, Integrity & Judgment - My ethical traits and habits are of the highest order; people trust me because I'm trustworthy.  In public office, whether working with the public or colleagues, being trusted creates the basis for a high degree of effectiveness.

 

Maturity - Even under pressure, I give careful consideration to the consequences of my actions.  I know what it's like to make hard decisions in tense situations as a result of which many people will be angry and disappointed. 

 

Experience - I have the knowledge, skill and practice that come from directly participating in many endeavors.  I've handled complex business transactions, conducted delicate negotiations involving governmental agencies, mediated difficult neighborhood issues, and had the great joy of raising four children in the city with all its attendant challenges.

 

Vision & Awareness - I have strong powers of imagination and foresight.  I see and sense what is happening and what will happen.

 

Creativity - I am able to come up with novel ways of solving problems and am not dependent on imitating or copying what others do.

 

Kindness & Toughness, Compassion & Strength - I'm sympathetic to others' distress, have the desire to alleviate it, and approach helping people realistically and without undue sentiment.

 

Tenacity & Endurance - As an athlete I was a 50 kilometer (31 miles) racewalker.  In business I worked long hours under pressure for many years.  I have great energy, adrenalin and enthusiasm, and would bring those qualities to every facet of City Council work.

 

Adaptability - I get along without always going along.  Whether meeting with angry constituents or favor-seeking lobbyists, I treat people in ways appropriate to the situation.

 

Humor & the Human Touch - Friendliness, smiles and laughter still count.  I love to laugh and make people laugh, and am not afraid to do things that may result in my being laughed at.

 

Inspiration - I'm inspired by life and the world around me, and can also inspire others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.      Please describe in sufficient detail, one to three accomplishments or contributions of which you are most proud.  These examples should illustrate effective skills and capabilities you think apply to the office you are seeking.  These accomplishments may have occurred at any time in your personal, professional, or public life. 

 

1.  In 1986, when the opportunity and need were great and the challenge even greater, I took the initiative in Seattle-area affordable housing.   I was one of the early leaders in this field, and during the last 17 years played a direct role in creating or preserving over 1000 units of low-income housing.  

 

My role evolved from private to public sector, with the King County Housing Authority, previously a client, becoming my employer.   I'm proud of the role I played there in creating additional affordable housing AND in influencing policy towards greater levels of effectiveness and better use of the taxpayer's money.

 

This commitment clearly demonstrates my ability to set long-term goals, and to develop the skill and capacity to accomplish those goals.  Given the indifference, resistance and hostility to the mission I encountered, especially in the first few years, it also shows my willingness to stick with it when the going gets tough.   I won't change my core beliefs in the face of adversity and criticism, and one of my core beliefs is that housing provides hope.

 

The 2002 Housing Levy is another example of my ability to identify a public policy objective, and to come up with effective means with which to accomplish that objective.  For eight months I served (unpaid) on the working group assessing the 1995 Levy, providing a report to the Council.  This assessment also played a role in formulating the 2002 Levy. 

 

I created the position of liaison from the Housing Levy campaign to the Church Council of Greater Seattle.  In this position I spoke in favor of the Levy at more than 25 churches and synagogues across Seattle, and followed up to get out the vote.

 

2.  In 1996 I played a key role in mediating a solution to a neighborhood dispute between the Montlake Community and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences Administration.  The key elements were an Executive Order from the President regarding security at Federal facilities, and the community's strong desire to preserve the aesthetics of and access to a beautiful greenbelt and waterfront.  By understanding the Order, and gauging the room to maneuver of the NOAA Administrator viewed in perspective to the objectives of the community, I was able to help guide the mediation towards an acceptable resolution.  And, by setting and sticking to clear guidelines and deadlines, it happened while everyone still wanted to believe it would happen.

 

3.  By 1977, during a successful athletic career as a racewalker, I had accumulated dozens and  dozens of trophies.  I had been National AAU Junior Champion, had been a member of the USA National team, and had been "Northwest Racewalker of the Year" a number of times. 

 

The awards coordinator for the regional Special Olympics track meet called and asked if I would hand out medals at the track meet.  I told her I would, and went the extra step and offered to donate trophies as well.  Rarely has an event inspired and touched me as much as that day.  I gave away almost all the trophies I had won, and in return was given a far greater reward; the smiles of children whose faces beamed with joy.


 

4.      Please list or describe your current and past activities in the community in which you have acquired skills that relate to the office you seek.  Include your role in the activity and the year(s) in which you were involved.  Involvement consists of many areas such as family, neighborhood, community, employment, or public life.

 

My strong commitment to community is reflected in the wide variety of causes I have worked on over the last 20 years.  As mentioned above, in 2002 I played a significant role in the passage of the Housing Levy, and in 1996 helped mediate a solution to the NOAA fence issue.

 

In 2001 and 2002, I was a volunteer with Aids Housing of Washington (AHW).  Working with staff there I conducted an assessment of the capital needs of the Lyon Building and the sufficiency of reserves to handle those needs.  This required understanding the physical structure of the building, the institutional structure, policies and mission of AHW, the funding environment, and the needs of those being served by AHW.  This was one in a series of annual commitments I make to provide volunteer services somewhere in the community.

 

In the mid 1990's I assisted the Northend Jewish Community Center in assessing their options for relocating their daycare and early childhood education facility.  The result was a recommendation to stay put and not take on the substantial additional financial commitments relocation would have required.  This conclusion was made after studying the organization's finances, conducting polls of and focus groups with those using the facility, and assessing the demographic trends to etsablish future demand. 

 

For three years I coached baseball in the Capitol Hill 11-12 year old youth league.  Winning was important, but more important was making sure every child wanted to do their best, developed their self-confidence, had fun, and felt like an important and valued part of the team.  In three years, I NEVER had a child drop off my teams.  One of the most rewarding moments I had was at the end-of-season award ceremony at Washington Park.  I presented the Most Improved Player award to James Shickich, who through hard work and persistence went from being a danger to himself on the field to someone who saved a game for us with a great catch in right field. Thirty years previously on the same field I received the same award.

 

For the last two years I have delivered the Montlake Flyer, the community publication.  It's a great way to meet neighbors and have the front-porch discussions that tell you so much about what's happening around you.  I learn a LOT about what's on people's minds this way.

 

I periodically tutor children at Montlake Elementary School.  My mother received the State PTSA "Golden Acorn" award for outstanding volunteer service there.   My wife coordinates volunteers at Montlake, and is vice president of the Washington Middle School PTSA.

 

Last year I helped audit the Montlake Elementary School PTSA, conducting both a review of the finances and making policy recommendations for strengthening financial controls.

 

In 1998 I led the audience at Camp Orkila in songs honoring Moms, told stories, sang some of my own compositions, and generally made a total fool of myself to amuse and entertain a group of people I hadn't previously met.   It was great early training for politics.

 

In 2002, aware of the controversy surrounding the Auto-Impound ordinance in Seattle, I went to Burlington, Vermont at my own expense to meet with Hal Colston, the Executive Director of the Good News Garage.  This is a resource for people of low-incomes to make sure their vehicles are safe, and that they don't lose their cars because they can't afford necessary repairs that may  lead to impoundment if pulled over for something like a burned out tail light.   Their goals are safety, and to prevent people from losing their cars, their jobs and the hardship that results.   I believe Seattle and those most affected by the Impound Ordinace would be well-served by a Good News Garage or similar facility, and as a Councilmember would work towards establishing such a resource here.

 

 

  1. Please describe the duties of the office you seek.  Which are the most important duties and why?

 

The City Council is a policy-making body with budget and oversight authority.  It acts to keep the Executive Branch of city government, the Mayor's office, in check and in balance.

 

The  most important duties of the City Council are:

 

to act legislatively by passing ordinances, in essence making laws that have the force of authority.

 

to provide substantive and proactive oversight of city departments and of the budget.

 

to act with foresight.  All legislation has unintended consequences, and an effective Council will anticipate and plan for those consequences.

 

to provide strong and decisive leadership in tone and substance.

 

To earn and keep the trust and confidence of the people, by making good decisions in the public interest, and by subordinating their personal desires and goals to the greater good.

 

To ask key questions; Do departments and Authorities have qualified directors? Does their performance merit continued employment?  Are finances in order, clearly presented and understandable?  What are the risks and the consequences of failure?

 

The City Council should also act as the City's board of directors. As board members, they must be attentive students of markets and trends, and persistent and shrewd inquisitors of fellow Councilmembers, vendors, the public, and staff.


EDUCATION BACKGROUND SUMMARY

FOR PUBLICATION IN CANDIDATE EVALUATION REPORT

 

The Municipal League’s Candidate Evaluation Report is distributed to voters in print and/or on our website.  It includes a summary of the candidate’s education.  Please summarize your education in 120 characters (letters, punctuation, and space all combined).  The League will delete material that exceeds the space limit by beginning with the last entry.  Suggested order is (degree)  (subject)  (school)  (year, if desired). 

 

Note: If this question is left blank the League will not include education information in your candidate profile.

 

B.A. Economics, University of Washington, 1978

 

CIVIC INVOLVEMENT SUMMARY

FOR PUBLICATION IN CANDIDATE EVALUATION REPORT

 

The Municipal League’s Candidate Evaluation Report also includes a summary of each candidate’s civic involvement.  Please summarize your civic involvement in the space below.  We will make every attempt to include the information in the Candidate Evaluation Report as submitted.  Due to space restrictions in the Report, your response is limited to 500 characters (letters, punctuation, and spaces all combined).  It is important that you list your involvement beginning with the most important and ending with the least important.  If you exceed the length of response permitted, or if the League should find it necessary to shorten responses for publication purposes,  deletions will be made beginning with the last item listed. 

 

Note: This information will appear verbatim on the League’s Candidate Evaluation Report.  If this question is left blank, the Municipal League will not include information on your civic involvement in the Report.

 

  Check here if you would like the Municipal League to copy the first 500 characters from Question 4 to paste into this section.

 

     

 

Finished!

If at all possible, send your response to the Municipal League electronically as an attachment, or insert it into an e-mail message (rebecca@munileague.org).  Mail and fax numbers are listed below.  If the League has not contacted you to schedule an interview, please call the League office at your earliest convenience.

 

Don’t forget to send the following to the Municipal League:  a resume, a photo, campaign literature, and, if you are an incumbent, constituent newsletters and other materials.  Please use the check-off list on the cover sheet of this packet to indicate which items you have sent.

 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION AND GOOD LUCK IN YOUR CAMPAIGN!

 

THE MUNICIPAL LEAGUE OF KING COUNTY

 

Candidate Evaluation Coordinator:  Rebecca Cooper

 

810 Third Avenue, Suite 224                  Phone: 206-622-8333                Email: rebecca@munileague.org

Seattle, WA 98104-1614                        Fax: 425-671-0506                        Website: www.munileague.org