Author: Tom Rasmussen (Tom Rasmussen)

There has been a great deal of interest in the lowrise legislation voted on by the Council today, which was passed by a 8-1 vote. I was the lone “no” vote. Below are my edited remarks from today’s Full Council meeting, which explains my opposition to the bill: Introduction My remarks will cover three key […]

You’re invited to join an online meeting about the draft Transportation Levy to Move Seattle proposal introduced by Mayor Murray last month. The meeting will be hosted by Seattle Department of Transportation Director Scott Kubly and staff on Monday, April 20, from 6:00 to 6:45 PM. The online format will allow you to learn about […]

The Seattle Pedestrian Advisory Board is accepting applications for new members to help make walking in Seattle safer and easier.  The volunteer board, which was created by Seattle City Council in 1993, plays an influential role in implementing Seattle’s Pedestrian Master Plan. The board advises the Mayor and City Council, participates in planning and project […]

On November 12 a crash occurred on the West Seattle Bridge during morning rush hour. Our Fire and Police Departments immediately responded to the scene. There were no injuries, but the disabled vehicle blocked the eastbound left lane. A tow truck did not arrive for nearly ninety minutes, resulting in major delays across West Seattle […]

Several weeks ago my legislative aide and I joined students at Global Connections High School on their ride with the Cascade Bicycle Club’s Major Taylor Project.  I encourage you to check out their website to learn about this great program that encourages young people, particularly from diverse lower-income families, to embrace bicycling as a form […]

Seattle has many talented and would-be gardeners.  The local food movement has grown rapidly. It is not unusual to find flourishing gardens in planting strips, on the roofs of restaurants, apartments and even on garages. Nearly 7,000 people are tending a plot at one of Seattle’s 89 P-Patch gardens.  Over 1,000 more people are on […]

Often I meet with people to learn more about their traffic and transportation concerns.  For example, I have ridden in a large oil tanker truck to experience the challenges of freight from Ballard to Harbor Island.  I have gone out on boats in the Ship Canal to learn more about maritime and industrial concerns and […]

Several weeks ago an oil train derailed in Seattle’s Interbay neighborhood.  The derailment happened under the Magnolia bridge and alongside a bike path. The outcome truly could have been a disaster but the incident occurred without injury or destruction of property. For years I have been expressing concern about the risks to neighborhoods that are […]