Preservation and Elections

Public officials make decisions and prioritize issues on behalf of their constituents based on what those constituents tell them is important. Since each of us is someone's constituent, it behooves us to know the issues and decide which ones are important to us so we can communicate them clearly to our representatives. Historic Seattle's members and friends care about local, state, and national historic preservation and that concern needs to be communicated clearly to elected and appointed decision makers at each level of government. When office holders change due to an election, each preservation constituent needs to be able to communicate those issues again to new decision makers.

Historic Seattle has compiled the 2007 Primary Election Candidates' Survey to help our readers know which local candidates are knowledgeable and caring about historic preservation, and which don't seem to be aware. As you review their responses to our questionnaire, please note their levels of knowledge about local issues, concerns, and opportunities. If you care about a candidate who has not responded, please ask him or her to send their July 9 questionnaire electronically to christine@historicseattle.org as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, please consider communicating with both those candidates who are aware of preservation, as well as those who are not, by writing, calling or visiting. Following is a brief guide to make contact and share your preservation concerns:

Schedule an appointment as soon as possible by calling the candidate. Phone numbers are published at http://www.metrokc.gov/elections/contests/candidatefiling.aspx
?eid=1219 . Be firm in your request to see the candidate, or plan to meet with a staff person who works on preservation issues.

Prepare and send beforehand a memo that outlines what you plan to discuss at the meeting and who will be attending with you. The candidate will appreciate the opportunity to become familiar with the issues before the meeting.

Gather any background material that may be useful including a memento of a preservation project such as a photo or artifact.

Reconfirm a week or so before the meeting.

Bring along copies of your memo and a list of meeting participants including contact information for each. Present the candidate with the memento.

Acknowledge the candidate's previous support for preservation, if any, by mentioning specific past actions: sponsorship of the Blank Blank Ordinance, neighborhood leadership to save the Blank Blank House, etc.

Speak clearly and succinctly about the issues you care about and be sure to use specific examples from your neighborhood. If other people will attend with you (keep the group small), make sure to coordinate your remarks and decide ahead of time who will take the lead and how.

Suggest a follow-up, such as a meeting after the election, and ask the candidate who your point of contact should be on preservation issues.

After the meeting, send a thank you note to the candidate along with any additional materials they may have asked for.

Let Historic Seattle's Preservation Advocate know about the outcome of the meeting at christine@historicseattle.org.

Publicize the visit by including a story in your neighborhood newsletter. Send a press release to the local newspaper.

Think creatively about ways to involve the candidate in a preservation related activity. Invite him/her on a tour, or ask him/her to speak at your neighborhood meeting. Stay connected to the candidate and his/her staff. Cultivate the candidate as a preservation champion in the future.