CHS asked the eight candidates running in the District 3 primary election eleven questions about how they would serve the neighborhoods around Capitol Hill, the Central District, and First Hill on the Seattle City Council. As you consider your August 1st primary ballot, we have 88 answers for you. We asked the candidates about everything from policing to single family zoning to homelessness and lidding I-5. With help from readers, we asked what specific ideas make each candidate stand out and what positions were they willing to take heat for supporting. We also asked how they would address issues around the community's relationship with the East Precinct. Meanwhile, after years of complaints about challenges in connecting with the D3 representative's office, we also asked each candidate about their plans to connect with the communities they represent. A lot of them have heard the complaints and are promising greater access and office hours in the district. Now it will be up to you to hold them to it -- and show up. You can view every candidate's answers at one time on the All Candidates D3 Primary Survey Results Page here. You can find our full coverage of the 2023 primary here.
Below are the answers from candidate Joy Hollingsworth, a cannabis farming entrepreneur and Central District resident with strong ties to the neighborhood and big support at Seattle City Hall.
- JOY HOLLINGSWORTH: With ‘cannabis justice,’ hunger advocacy, and three generations in the Central District, Hollingsworth enters race for District 3
Q: What is a specific example of a change you were part of that has made District 3 a better place? What was your role?
Hollingsworth: During the pandemic, food insecurity affected our community. I had the privilege of working at (Emergency Feeding Program + Northwest Harvest) who directly partnered with Odessa Brown, Caroline Downs, Feed The People, Central Area Senior Center, Byrd Barr, FAME Church and Africatown to help bring food to the community. This was done through food pop-ups, food access points, home delivery, hot meals and food pantry model. We were able to bring thousands of pounds of food to our neighborhood. Food insecurity affects 1 out of 11 people through out our neighborhood and 1 in 3 gen-z’s have experienced food insecurity. I also made our corner safer. The last 5 years have been car carnage on our corner with red light runners and wrecks. We had one of the most active corners in the city. I advocated for SDOT to improve our corner by showing data and video of how dangerous the corner was. It took us 5 years of videos, but so far, proud to report, there have been no accidents this year.
Q: If elected, what regular presence would your office keep in District 3? Meetings? Office time? How often? Where?
Hollingsworth: Seeking city assistance is too difficult. We have complex application and implementation processes that are near impossible for residents to successfully navigate. I will be present, available, accessible and transparent. We will have rotating office hours in all of the community neighborhoods from Capitol Hill to Madison Valley, by hosting meetings at libraries, community centers and spaces. I also understand that inside the neighborhoods, are certain communities as well. Our in-person office hours will be hosted at the following neighborhoods and will also have a virtual component as well for people who cannot attend in person as well. Once a week rotating in the different neighborhoods. Capitol Hill Montlake Eastlake/North Capitol Hill Madison Park/Madison Valley First Hill Central District Madrona/Leschi
Q: What council committees are you best suited for? How will that help D3?
Hollingsworth: Public Safety Committee + Human Services Economic Development, Technology, + City Light Committee Public Safety is important. Prioritize crisis response teams and non-armed responders for neighbors in crisis Responsibly fund and staff first responders including police, fire and EMTs. I want to ensure we have fast response times for ALL Priority calls. As a small business owner, I have the direct experience to understand the needs of our small businesses. We are home to thousands of small local businesses. Family owned-operated. They create economic and environmental stability, create local jobs and build generational wealth. I commend those small businesses that survived the pandemic. They showed resilience, flexibility and a strong love of community. And for those small businesses who closed during the pandemic and look to start fresh, or for those new ones who have yet to open their doors, the city should be there to help.
Q: Which recent Seattle council member would you most like to emulate? Why?
Hollingsworth:The position of city council is a job that balances policy, people and impact. In order to be successful, you have to work as a team to ensure basic essential services are met. I can find commonality amongst all city council members no matter the districts, backgrounds or positions.
Q: What is a position you hold that is controversial or unpopular among D3 voters? (Reader question)
Hollingsworth: It depends on which neighborhood and people’s perspective/background/experience. The open-air drug policy is controversial for Seattle Voters. I believe we need to adopt the State Law. It also needs to be a holistic approach that allows people to get into treatment. Using deadly chemical drugs in the open air is illegal and we need to apply the law to ensure people are getting treatment. It’s unhealthy and dangerous.
Q: What is a City Hall department or major initiative you would cut back on and how would you reprioritize that spending?
Hollingsworth: I’m a small business owner who has balanced many budgets. One of my main guidelines when looking at a budget is how much were bringing in, how much is going out, and most importantly, whether are we delivering a quality product to our customers. Before we increase taxes, and look at different pathways of revenues, we have to understand our budget, take a deep look at our expenditures, and how we can provide effective government services with tangible outcomes. Our primary objective on council should be whether are we meeting the basic needs of our citizens and can we ensure that we fiscally responsible for the current public dollars.
Is there a way to help SPD East Precinct feel like a less hostile and more responsive, supportive presence in the neighborhood? How? (Reader question)
Hollingsworth: Our government has the responsibility to keep our communities safe. It’s the right response to the right situation. When a first responder (Mental health worker, social worker, EMT, Fire Fighter or Police officer) is answering a call, we want to make sure it’s one with care, they have the resources to respond and they have the training. 1. I support the Mayor’s plan to increase staffing numbers and in addition to community-driven reforms for true neighborhood safety. This is gun violence prevention, after-school resources, summer activities for youth and community officers. 2. Increase health one funding for our fire department which can help alleviate some of the calls from SPD into our Fire Department. 3. Decrease our response times for all calls for ALL Priority calls (1,2 &3). 4. Police accountability and more community connection and building relationships with people.
Q: What is your position on single family housing/residential small lot zoning, and what is your position on upzones across Seattle? (Reader question)
Hollingsworth: We either want to build big or have single-family home. We are missing the middle housing options where small family-owned spaces can be turned into duplexes, triplexes, small apartments etc. This is where whatever policy you put forth, you also have to see it through to ensure it has the intended impact. I support density in a thoughtful way that encourages growth but also allows people the opportunity to age in place. We need to support more options for people converting their homes into multifamily options, ADU’s and mother-in-law units. Streamline the permitting process for homeowners as carrying costs high and only add to the end result.
Q: What does Seattle need to do that it isn’t already trying to address the homelessness crisis? What would that look like in D3?
Hollingsworth: We have to separate three issues. (Homelessness, open-air drug use, and public safety) While we are addressing our housing crisis with policy efforts, people who are on our streets and in and out of shelters cannot wait any longer. We have to build and provide more shelter options. My plan is to get everyone off the street and inside as quickly as possible by… 1. Family Shelters, Tiny Homes, Resourced RV + Car Lots, Day Centers for people to get connected to resources, showers, and case workers, Transitional Housing Options 2. Connecting people to mental health services, Fire Department Health One funding. 3. Addressing public safety issues within encampments of individuals who are preying on vulnerable people.
Q: What is one idea for District 3 that you have that no other candidate is talking about?
Hollingsworth: 1. Improving Basic City Services + Infrastructure 2. Someone that wants to work as a team with other council members, the mayor’s office, and the 45 city departments 3. Youth Engagement (Community Centers, Parks, Greenspaces + Libraries)
Q: How would you support lidding I-5?
Hollingsworth: Start the movement from the feasibility study done by WSP, working with Lidi5 organization, state, federal and other stakeholders to ensure the Seattle City Council can use it’s platform to be on board to ensure we continue to create sustainable transportation options.
Q: Far in the future, if the city were to honor you with a statue, where would it be placed and what would it look like?
Hollingsworth: I don’t need a statue. I would be happy to see the good policies passed have a great impact on our community.
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