Ballard Greenways Wins the 2014 Amazing Advocacy Award
- Dec. 15, 2014
Ballard Greenways leaders take Councilmember Mike O'Brien on carefully orchestrated policy ride @SNG photo
Every local Seattle Neighborhood Greenway (SNG) group does amazing advocacy. From leading walks and bike rides for policy makers, to showing up for pivotal City Council hearings, SNG volunteers are tireless and creative advocates for healthy, safe streets.
Ballard Greenways leaders produced an event that was amazing. A policy ride with Councilmember Mike O'Brien combined talks along the route with local business leaders, PTSA leaders at several local schools, and specific, well-defined requests for street improvements along the 17th Ave NW corridor. They linked their requests to other school safety projects improvement at Whitman Elementary School.
Ballard Greenways leaders followed up with direct outreach to Council and came away with funding for real improvements to intersections that will keep children safe when they walk to school and elders safe when they cross the street. Good job Ballard Greenways leaders Andrew Natzel, Barbara Swatt, Bob Hall, Chris Saleeba, Ellen Butzel, Jennifer Litowski, Mark Ruebel, Michael Wolf, Mike Hale, Robin Randels, Selena Carsiotis, Steven Redpath.
Honorable Mentions are also in order for the best advocacy campaign or leadership by a group or individual:
- Seattle Sunday Parkways: Councilmember Sally Bagshaw, Mayor Ed Murray, Andrew Glass-Hastings, Mark Ostrow, Bob Edmiston, PBOT Active Transportation & many others.
- City Budget Advocates: Barbara Gordon and Hank, Beth Mondzac, Bob Hall, Brie Gyncild, Deb Salls, Don Brubeck, Eldan Goldenberg, Ellen Butzel, Ian Eisenberg, John O’Neil, Julee Neuhart, Justin Martin, Kari Olson, Kathy Dunn, Kevin Lugo, Lionel Job, Lydia Heard, Megan Horst, Merlin Rainwater, Michael Herschensohn, Mike Perfetti, Robin Randels, Selena Carsiotis, Silas Bean, Susan Gleason, and Suzi Zook. Over 23 people representing SNG showed up and testified at three Seattle City Council budget hearings to keep funding for safe streets projects. Thank you!