ETS! has invited the "alternative"--a.k.a. marginalized--candiates for Mayor of Seattle to submit short (500 word) articles outlining their take on racing toward mayorship. We present them as the serious candidates they deserve to be taken as, so that you can find out about them in time to help give their campaigns momentum before the primary, if you're so moved. These are all real people, committed to what they are saying, with active campaigns. This is the second in a series. We welcome further statements.

Campaign Statement of Christal Wood

In April, I offered myself to Seattle as a candidate for Mayor, because this city--every city--is in desperate need of better, smarter leaders; and because I have a vision that I truly believe in. So far, what I hear Seattle saying is that no matter how brilliant, qualified, or passionate I may be--it's not good enough.

Let any of the "incumbents" sneeze, and a full column comes out in the local papers--though none seems to have a cohesive set of proposals. After three months of e-mailing and hawking my platform across God's Green Earth, the most media attention my campaign has received has been B.J. Shea's invitation to give a speech topless--and I've given it serious thought.

While I'm out spending time and energy out gathering signatures in lieu of the $1,300 ballot fee (1% of Paul Schell's yearly salary--about 100% of what I'd be earning monthly at most things I've done in my life), an "unknown" dismisses those already in the race, inflates his bank account with loans, and is suddenly "the" alternative candidate.

Earlier this week I held an event--invited everyone. In a black and gold column dress, I explained Seattle's problems and my proposed solutions to seven enthusiastic guests, a bunch of empty chairs, and the appetizer trays.

This may seem strange, but at this point in the campaign, I feel betrayed by all these folks that have been complaining, clamoring for change--by the corrupt "liberal" papers I used to read; by all the lefties I hung out with during the Nader 2000 campaign, who now talk about timing; by folks in the CD protesting because Aaron Roberts got shot, shouting about how there's "no leadership"--then falling for the same old Schell game. (Maybe if we're lucky, we'll just get Nickel-ed and dimed to death instead, eh?)

I'm afraid I've lost a bit of respect for the people I've been breaking my neck to represent. I've also come to question again, personally and professionally, what point there is to continuing--anything. You see, if we don't do more to balance the local economy and housing markets now, we will become much worse than an "uncivil" city. If we don't do something now to make the justice system more equitable, there will only be more chaos and public uprising. If we don't do something--right now--to change certain environmental and consumer trends, we may not survive as a species into the next century.

As I wrote in my declaration, with my candidacy I'm asking you to turn your back on "politics as usual" and open your mind further to the possible. That has to happen, or no potential leader can do a thing. It comes down to whether people really want the change they keep saying they do. If you do, there are choices, and you need to ask for them, and support them. If not...then shut up, already.

Christal Olivia Wood for Mayoress, P.O. Box 95535, Seattle, WA 98145-2535, 206-547-6702, cw4mayoress@hotmail.com.