By Omari Salisbury

Mark Solomon, a finalist for the Seattle City Council District 2 vacancy, recently sat down for an interview to discuss his candidacy and priorities. With a 34-year career at the Seattle Police Department and deep roots in the community, Solomon is a familiar face to many District 2 residents.

A Life of Service

Born and raised in District 2, Solomon has dedicated his life to public service. "District 2 is where I was born and raised. It is my home, and I want to take care of my home," he declared.

His extensive experience working with the Seattle Police Department as a crime prevention coordinator has given him a unique perspective on the district's challenges. He emphasizes his commitment to working with various agencies and community organizations to address these challenges. "A lot of the work centers around doing security assessments for homes and businesses, personal safety, workplace safety, de-escalation training, and a lot of interagency coordination to affect neighborhood problem solving," Solomon explained.

Addressing the Issues

When asked about the most pressing issues in District 2, Solomon highlighted gun violence, affordability & displacement, and Little Saigon.

Gun Violence

Solomon expressed deep concern about the increasing gun violence in the district. "We just had a shooting last night, actually, earlier this morning, about one o'clock this morning. So I'm always concerned about gun violence," he shared. He stressed the importance of working with the community and violence interrupters to address this critical issue.

Affordability and Displacement

Solomon also emphasized the need to address affordability and displacement in District 2. He expressed concerns about the lack of affordable housing and the concentration of low-income properties in certain neighborhoods. "I want to see those 60% AMI and lower properties spread out. Let's share the wealth on some of those low-income apartments," Solomon stated. He also highlighted the importance of building workforce housing and encouraging home ownership to build generational wealth.

Little Saigon

Solomon acknowledged the specific challenges facing Little Saigon, particularly the rise in fentanyl use and the impact of the downtown activation plan. He emphasized the need for a multi-faceted approach to address the human suffering in the area. "It's not just a law enforcement fix. There's going to be a combination of strategies to really address the human condition that's going on there," he stated.

A Caretaker Role

If selected for the council seat, Solomon intends to serve as a caretaker until the special election in November. "My intent is to be a caretaker, to go in focus on doing the work, and do a warm handoff to whoever wins the special election in November," said Solomon. He believes that focusing on the work and not on campaigning will allow him to be more effective in addressing the district's needs.

Comprehensive Plan and Permitting Process

Solomon expressed his commitment to working on the comprehensive plan and streamlining the permitting process. He believes that the current permitting process is too onerous and is hindering housing development in the city. "We have made it so onerous for people to build in this city that we it's probably one of the reasons we don't have the housing stock that we need," Solomon argued.

Diverse Community Engagement

Solomon's experience working with diverse communities is evident in his approach to community engagement. He recognizes the importance of adapting to different cultural norms and communication styles. "I recognize that it was funny, because we have a tendency in city government to follow a Eurocentric meeting model. That doesn't work for everybody, that doesn't work for, you know, all of our communities," Solomon shared.

A Call for Unity and Support

In his closing remarks, Solomon reiterated his commitment to serving the community and working collaboratively to address the district's challenges. He expressed his belief that by working together, the community can overcome these challenges and thrive.

Conclusion

Mark Solomon's candidacy for the Seattle City Council District 2 vacancy offers a blend of experience, community engagement, and a focus on addressing the district's most pressing needs. His commitment to service and his vision for a thriving and inclusive District 2 resonate with many residents. As the selection process unfolds, voters will have the opportunity to decide whether Solomon's approach and priorities align with their vision for the future of District 2.

Are you a finalist for the Seattle City Council D2 seat? Drop me an email - Omari@WhereWeConverge.com

Meetings and Public Forums

Public Forum

Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. 
Hosted by Seattle CityClub at the Columbia City Theater
4916 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118

Scheduled City Council Meetings to Discuss Candidates

Friday, January 17, 2025 at 2 p.m 
Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 1 p.m.

Anticipated City Council Vote on Appointment

Special City Council Meeting, Monday, January 27, 2025 at 9:30 a.m.