Jackie Minchew
Candidate for Everett City Council, Position # 7
A public school teacher, Jackie Minchew is running for a seat on the Everett City Council. He is running to represent the working families of Everett, a voice sorely missing on the current council. A true progressive, Jackie has served with the 44th District Democrats and as Chair of Democracy for Snohomish County.
Here is his answers to our questionaire:
Why are you seeking office? – I seek this office primarily to represent the voice of the under-represented. I seek a better balance between upscale developments and affordable housing. I seek distributed representation, so that every part of the city is represented on the council, rather than just the downtown power corridor.
What qualifies you to represent working families? I have a passion to serve the citizens of Everett and I am committed to seeing that their interests are represented at City Hall. I am of the working class, and I understand the challenges working families face. I am an aggressive learner and a patient teacher.
Finally, I have the necessary work ethic and drive to be always on the job for my
constituents.
What are the main issues affecting the people you would represent? Number one on the list is the fact that the determined gentrification of the city is making it harder and harder for working families to stay here. As appraised property valuations skyrocket, assessed property taxes follow suit. As more and more apartment buildings go condo, affordable rentals become ever scarcer. As mobile home parks are bought up and developed, senior citizens on fixed incomes find their “Golden Years” dogged by the specter of eviction and economic ruin.
What is your position on the “Right to Work” issue? I come from a “Right-To-Work” state. Right-to-work laws are absolutely anti-union, in my opinion. They are intended to weaken unions and make it difficult if not impossible to organize.
Do you feel government entities should change zoning laws to accommodate big
block retailers like Wal-Mart? Absolutely not.
How would you use your position to address America's health care crisis? I am not sure a City Council has much of a role to play on this issue, but I am personally an advocate for some sort of a single-payer plan.
What is your position on living wage ordinances? I would support a living wage ordinance in Everett, along the lines of the one adopted in Bellingham, WA.
What is your position on trade agreements like NAFTA, CAFTA and the WTO? I believe so-called “Free Trade Agreements” bear the bulk of the blame for the exportation of America’s manufacturing capacity, along with American jobs. I oppose them.
