-Seattle can be a world-class city,
an inspiring example of a city
where every public space is clean, safe and welcoming.
I'm Rachael Savage
and I'm running for Seattle City Council.
The current city council has failed us.
They've given our taxes to nonprofits,
and all we have to show for it is ever more addicted
and mentally ill people living on the streets of our city.
The unpredictable nature of those suffering from addiction
and mental illness has threatened the safety
and harmed the dignity of everyone who lives,
works and visits Seattle.
As a business owner and resident,
I have suffered these effects firsthand.
I have seen how preventable street conditions destroy
businesses, neighborhoods and our tax base.
As an addict who has had to learn how to live drug free
for 35 years and helped others do the same,
I know we must create new,
effective, long-term residential-treatment programs.
We can no longer allow addicts to camp in squalor
on the streets
or die behind closed doors in city-run buildings.
That's why I launched an initiative
to end public camping,
not to punish those who are addicted and on the streets,
but to get them into detox, treatment and shelter.
As your City Council member,
I will fight to amend our drug law to offer a clear choice
of jail or treatment to those who are committing crimes,
to rebuild our system of law enforcement,
to oppose raising taxes
that fund free apartments for addicts,
and instead build new, long-term residential-treatment centers
away from our neighborhoods,
and using only existing city and federal funding,
and to close the wage versus rent gap
by directly subsidizing studio apartments
for minimum-wage workers.
I represent a new movement of citizens
who are done waiting for the council to act.
We can be a city of responsibility,
compassion and opportunity.
Vote Savage for a change.