1 00:00:00,300 --> 00:00:10,076 ♪♪ 2 00:00:11,878 --> 00:00:13,980 -Hi. My name is Mark Mendez. 3 00:00:14,014 --> 00:00:15,715 I'm running for Seattle City Council 4 00:00:15,749 --> 00:00:17,517 because residents of North Seattle 5 00:00:17,550 --> 00:00:19,252 are ready for a new vision 6 00:00:19,285 --> 00:00:21,421 for District 5 and accountability. 7 00:00:21,454 --> 00:00:23,256 I was born and raised in Seattle, 8 00:00:23,289 --> 00:00:24,724 and I've lived in District 5, 9 00:00:24,758 --> 00:00:26,693 in Lake City for 41 years. 10 00:00:26,726 --> 00:00:28,061 I'm a graduate of U-dub 11 00:00:28,094 --> 00:00:29,562 and Seattle University. 12 00:00:29,596 --> 00:00:31,131 I spent my life and career 13 00:00:31,164 --> 00:00:32,599 working on several local 14 00:00:32,632 --> 00:00:34,200 and global equity issues. 15 00:00:34,234 --> 00:00:35,935 My father was born in the U.S. territory 16 00:00:35,969 --> 00:00:36,970 of Puerto Rico, 17 00:00:37,003 --> 00:00:38,838 and my mom grew up in Lake City. 18 00:00:38,872 --> 00:00:40,540 My great uncle, Joseph Mayer, 19 00:00:40,573 --> 00:00:42,275 created the most beautiful and historic 20 00:00:42,308 --> 00:00:43,476 Seattle street clocks 21 00:00:43,510 --> 00:00:44,844 found in downtown Seattle 22 00:00:44,878 --> 00:00:46,679 and all over the Pacific Northwest. 23 00:00:46,713 --> 00:00:48,148 I have deep roots in Seattle 24 00:00:48,181 --> 00:00:49,015 and deeply care 25 00:00:49,049 --> 00:00:50,617 about the city I grew up in. 26 00:00:50,650 --> 00:00:52,352 I have a record of getting things done 27 00:00:52,385 --> 00:00:53,620 by bringing together 28 00:00:53,653 --> 00:00:55,021 and partnering with a diverse group 29 00:00:55,055 --> 00:00:56,589 of people and organizations 30 00:00:56,623 --> 00:00:57,657 to address 31 00:00:57,690 --> 00:00:59,492 the biggest challenges in Seattle. 32 00:00:59,526 --> 00:01:01,594 I've worked for several nonprofit 33 00:01:01,628 --> 00:01:03,763 education and public organizations. 34 00:01:03,797 --> 00:01:04,664 I was co-chair 35 00:01:04,697 --> 00:01:06,099 of the North District Council, 36 00:01:06,132 --> 00:01:07,067 on the board 37 00:01:07,100 --> 00:01:08,234 of Lake City Neighborhood Alliance, 38 00:01:08,268 --> 00:01:09,202 and on the board 39 00:01:09,235 --> 00:01:10,437 of Meadowbrook Community Care. 40 00:01:10,470 --> 00:01:12,205 I want to bring the same motto of success 41 00:01:12,238 --> 00:01:13,740 I've had working together 42 00:01:13,773 --> 00:01:14,908 with community groups 43 00:01:14,941 --> 00:01:15,775 and organizations 44 00:01:15,809 --> 00:01:17,010 and apply that motto 45 00:01:17,043 --> 00:01:18,278 to all of District 5. 46 00:01:18,311 --> 00:01:19,813 Here is what I'm focused on -- 47 00:01:19,846 --> 00:01:21,314 affordable housing and people 48 00:01:21,347 --> 00:01:22,682 experiencing homelessness. 49 00:01:22,715 --> 00:01:24,250 Equity -- bringing more resources 50 00:01:24,284 --> 00:01:25,985 to underserved neighborhoods. 51 00:01:26,019 --> 00:01:27,387 Youth -- more leadership, 52 00:01:27,420 --> 00:01:28,588 civic participation, 53 00:01:28,621 --> 00:01:30,356 and career training programs. 54 00:01:30,390 --> 00:01:31,958 Protecting our environment. 55 00:01:31,991 --> 00:01:33,393 And five, transportation -- 56 00:01:33,426 --> 00:01:34,627 expanding Light Rail 57 00:01:34,661 --> 00:01:35,695 and improving access 58 00:01:35,728 --> 00:01:36,729 and reliability 59 00:01:36,763 --> 00:01:38,465 in public transportation. 60 00:01:38,498 --> 00:01:40,366 I worked very closely with refugee 61 00:01:40,400 --> 00:01:42,068 and immigrant families 62 00:01:42,102 --> 00:01:43,336 across District 5. 63 00:01:43,369 --> 00:01:44,404 I've created and managed 64 00:01:44,437 --> 00:01:45,405 several youth programs 65 00:01:45,438 --> 00:01:46,906 to empower the next generation 66 00:01:46,940 --> 00:01:48,141 of leaders in District 5, 67 00:01:48,174 --> 00:01:49,676 and I've worked with community partners 68 00:01:49,709 --> 00:01:51,678 to create the Lake City mural project 69 00:01:51,711 --> 00:01:52,679 to empower youth, 70 00:01:52,712 --> 00:01:54,047 support local businesses, 71 00:01:54,080 --> 00:01:55,515 improve public safety, 72 00:01:55,548 --> 00:01:57,517 build a community with public art. 73 00:01:57,550 --> 00:01:59,619 Together, we can make District 5 74 00:01:59,652 --> 00:02:01,254 the best place to live, 75 00:02:01,287 --> 00:02:02,689 work, learn, and play. 76 00:02:02,722 --> 00:02:03,923 My name is Mark Mendez. 77 00:02:03,957 --> 00:02:05,058 Thank you.