Support Alec Fisken for Port Commissioner

[eridani]

This Port Commission race is setting up to be one of
the most competitive in King County this year. It's unprecedented for Port races to garner as much attention as this one is getting, but I'm convinced it's because Alec's been raising the tough questions -- on behalf of King County taxpayers and voters -- and the status-quo/business -as-usual folks are going to try and take him out.

Thanks for all the help you can give. And we'd love to see you at the Kick-Off! (We'll email invitations to folks in a week or so; this is just a heads-up for your websites.)


WHAT - Alec Fisken's Re-Election Campaign Kick-Off
DATE - Wednesday, May 9
TIME - 5:30-7:30pm
WHERE - Flury & Co. Gallery, 322 1st Avenue S, in Seattle's Pioneer Square
CONTRIBUTIONS WELCOME!
Please RSVP by emailing afisken {at} comcast. net
For More Info - 206-523-5702

[TechBear_Seattle]

1. More information, please

What questions is he raising? What solutions is he putting forth? Who has come out in support of him, and who is leading the opposition?

[flamingyouth]

2. Here's his bio from the Port of Seattle page:

http://www.portseattle.org/about/organization/commission/commission.shtml#fisken

[TechBear_Seattle]

4. I was curious about Eridani's enthusiasm

I know how to find official information, but almost by definition that is going to be campaign propaganda (especially information about an incumbent up for reelection.) I was also hoping for more from her than a one sentence soundbite.

[flamingyouth]

5. I only posted it for background info.

He has an interesting bio, going back to his days with the Sun.

[eridani]

3. He's from the reform contingent--

--the folks who are attempting to stop the constant globetrotting at public expense.

[eridani]

6. He's being challenged by a well-heeled guy who wants to keep raping the taxpayers

Candidate filing ended today and the race is on! We're confident we can win, but we'll need your help to do it.
Candidates Filed for Position 5

As expected, Alec is being challenged by waterfront trade lobbyist and Republican Party activist Bill Bryant. Two previously unannounced candidates, Steven Symms and Catherine Perkins, also filed. With more than two candidates on the ballot, Alec's race will appear on the August 21 primary election ballot. Absentee ballots go into the mail on August 3, only eight weeks from today!
Fundraising Challenge

Opponent Bill Bryant has said that he intends to spend $275,000-$300,000 for his candidacy, making his campaign one of the most expensive in the history of the port. Waterfront interests unhappy with Alec's calls for transparency and an end to no-bid special-interest contracts are already giving generously to Bryant's campaign. At the end of May, Bryant had raised in excess of $111,000 from 128 contributors, with the average donation an eye-popping $870!

Our campaign has raised just over $60,000 - but from almost three times as many contributors as Bryant, and at a contribution average nearly five and a half times less.

We always knew Bryant would substantially out-raise us. But with your help and that of other hard-working volunteers, and by keeping our overhead low, we can close the financial gap.

We're on track for reaching our goal of $150,000 -- but we can do it only with the support of people like you. To make a PayPal contribution, click here. Or simply make out a check to Committee to Re-elect Alec Fisken and mail it to 3412 NE 115th St, Seattle 98125.
Eastside Fundraiser

Former State Democratic Party chair Karen Marchioro, along with Jeff Smith, Eastside Democratic Districts, and a host of Eastside activists, are sponsoring a fundraiser for Alec on Thursday, June 14, 6:00-8:00PM, at the poolside cabana of Jay Pearson: 11206 NE 68th St in Kirkland. It is billed as "A Donor's Choice Event", and people are encouraged to donate either $25 or $50. To RSVP, email Karen and Jeff at klm {at} nwlink.com or call [phone] or (425-451-8680.

Sincerely,

Paul Elliott
Campaign Manager

[eridani]

7. Dude could use some cash--big bux behind his opponent

"Let's hear it for Port of Seattle Commissioner Alec Fisken...asking just the kind of questions that need to be asked in that too often staid and oblique agency." - Seattle Post Intelligencer, October 12, 2006


Four years ago I defeated an entrenched incumbent who represented the old ways of business at the Port of Seattle. I ran to move the Port toward principled reform and real accountability to the public.
In office, I've taken strong stands to protect the interests of King County taxpayers:


Opposed a ridiculous pay raise for the highest paid Port CEO in America ($340K+), intended to enhance his lifelong pension;
Refused to be a participant in closed-door Executive Sessions that prevent public scrutiny on important issues;

Voted against wasteful and unnecessary subsidies for the Port's corporate tenants;

Fought Port plans to convert irreplaceable maritime and industrial lands in Interbay into a highly speculative commercial real estate development;
Refused to spend taxpayer dollars to take foreign junkets and trade missions around the globe,

Demanded that the Port tackle the very real air and water pollution created by maritime trade.

Despite the steady drumbeat of press reports about problems at the Port, I think we are beginning to make meaningful progress on a number of fronts. I'm winning a lot more votes these days, and it is my hope that even the longtime abuse of Executive Sessions that hide decision-making from the public is finally coming to an end. We have a new Port CEO with an impressive background in Port management who seems intent on setting a new tone and direction that should return the Port to its core mission of promoting trade and the high-paid family wage jobs that are so critical to our region.

Now, I am up for re-election this fall. Three challengers have filed against me and we must run a strong primary election campaign.

My challenge to the Port's direction has angered a number of waterfront interests who want to set back the clock of reform. As Joel Connelly just wrote in the PI, "The old-boy network of port-subsidized businesses wants to take Fisken out." These powerful interests have found an opponent to challenge me in the form of a little-known trade lobbyist and Republican Party activist by the name of Bill Bryant.

Mr. Bryant is actively seeking environmental and labor support, calling leaders in both communities. While he purports to be a friend of their interests, his own political contributions speak of a different political ideology. He contributed $2,000 to the Bush/Cheney re-election and $4,200 to elect Mike McGavick over Senator Maria Cantwell. Others benefiting from his personal largesse include Dino Rossi, John Carlson, Rob McKenna, Dave Reichert, and Pat Davis.

While Mr. Bryant is gathering thousand-dollar checks from waterfront and trade special interests, I'm proud of the $25 and $50 contributions I've already received from nearly three hundred donors. But it is going to take a lot of $25 contributions to catch up and communicate with voters before the August 21 primary. I'm asking for your help and support.

Mr. Bryant has stated that he intends to spend $300,000 on his campaign to unseat me. Please take a moment and make an online contribution to my campaign by visiting my website at www.alecfisken.co m . Whether it's a contribution of $25, $50, or $100, I would be truly grateful to have your support and have you join our campaign effort to continue bringing real reform and accountability to the Port of Seattle.

Every dollar counts and I'm asking you to please make a contribution of any amount and be counted as part of my team. Just take 2 minutes to visit www.alecfisken.co m and click the red "Make a Donation" button on the main page of the website.

Thank you so much for your consideration.

Sincerely,


Alec
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email: paulcelliott {at} msn.com
phone: [phone]
web: http://www.alecfisken.com