City Council Candidate Questionaire Responses
Candidate:
Shaun Scott
Do you believe that programs like P-Patch, which add to the quality of life and environment of Seattle and should be encouraged by the City to nourish?
Yes
If elected how you will support the P-Patch community gardening program?
If elected, I would support the P-Patch community gardening program by increasing the number of staff designated to manage the land and logistics. Additionally, as is the case with corporate-sponsored development in the city, I recognize that many community spaces, P-Patches included, are facing displacement. Alongside my plan for the city to establish a land bank for public and social housing, I will also look into the prospect of the city purchasing land plots for community garden programs such as the P-Patch. At the same time, I will also holistically support the need for more access to fresh produce for all by addressing food deserts that impact disproportionately poor, POC, and immigrant communities.
Would you support a study of the public and private needs of the P-Patch Program including addressing the future displacement of P-Patches due to development?
Would you support allocating resources to implement recommendations?
Yes
Yes
What would you do to resolve the immediate threat to Ballard P-Patch?
I would call for community support and stand strongly on the side of the farmers and volunteers who help run the Ballard P-Patch. Much of this situation sounds like corporate bullying, and too often whole communities are uprooted (in this case, almost literally) from their homes. We need to stand up to corporate greed in this city, and that involves refusing to acquiesce to their demands. Financially, I would look into funding resources that could potentially alleviate this immediate threat; however, I think the most important aspect of this is building the political will on our council to not back down against high-end real estate developers.
Do you support requiring the Park District to pass administration of P-Patch Rejuvenation Funds to the Department of Neighborhoods and the P-Patch Program?
Yes
Do you support continuing to house the P-Patch community gardening program in the Department of Neighborhoods, which values community building and requires community participation in decisions that affect the P-Patch?
Yes
District 3. Do you agree that resources and city-owned land near the Republican and Immaculate P-Patches should be made available to save those P-Patches when they are displaced by development?
Yes
District 4. Do you agree that resources and city-owned land near Shiga’s garden P-Patch in the University District should be made available to save that P-Patch when it is displaced by development?
Yes
District 6. Do you agree that the city should financially support Ballard P-Patch gardeners in their quest to raise 1.8 million dollars by year end 2020 to save the Ballard P-Patch from development into four luxury homes?
District 7. Do you agree that city-owned land near the UpGarden, currently on top of Mercer Garage, should be made available to save the UpGarden when it is displaced by either redevelopment or parking needs at Mercer Garage?
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