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♪♪

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-I have always been

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both a practical person,
but also an optimistic person.

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♪♪

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In our office,

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we ensure that land use decisions,

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land use policies are viewed through

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an equity lens to make for a better future

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for neighborhoods
that is inclusive of all people,

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regardless of their race
or their income level.

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I'm a born and raised Seattleite.

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I did my undergraduate at Washington
University in St Louis,

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went to University of Washington,
graduate school, did my thesis

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on what is now
the Northwest African American Museum,

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and was in practice
as an architect for 27 years.

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Over the course of that 27 years,
I was probably on 15

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to 20 different boards and committees.

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And then I had the opportunity
to join the City of Seattle in 2021.

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♪♪

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My wife,

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Kate and I met at a dinner, started
talking about land use, policy planning

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and the urban rural divide.

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[laughter]

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And it was love at first sight.

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I'm very fortunate to have her in my life,

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particularly
as we take on this next journey.

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♪♪

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I was diagnosed with lymphoma last
November.

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It's it's been a... it's been a

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it's been a difficult experience.

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The one thing that has changed

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since receiving
this diagnosis has been around trust.

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I have to allow other people to
take charge and to get things done, which,

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you know, thinking about One Seattle plan,
the Comprehensive Plan for the city,

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we're trying to do that as well,
where we are trying to empower community

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to be in charge, to tell us what it is
that we need to be doing.

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The most important thing for me to do
is to listen.

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And by listening,
I learn what's important to people

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and what makes them feel nurtured
and feels supported.

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And that's what creates community.

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♪♪