Roughly 36 hours ago, in the infamous CHOP/CHAZ area on Capitol Hill, there was a shooting. One person died and one is still at Harborview.
This is what we have all been fearing when neighborhoods are called upon to “police themselves,” and our first responders cannot do their jobs.
So far, there has been nothing but silence from City Hall, and the Mayor’s office.
Nothing to calm our fears and anxiety. Nothing to let us know that things are — or will be — under control. Nothing to reassure us that someone is in charge. No plans, no strategy, no leadership.
Our Mayor is MIA!
This is unacceptable, and I know I’m speaking for the vast majority of Seattle citizens.
Our Mayor has turned her back on us, the “non-vocal majority”, and continues to cater and coddle to the whims of the “vocal minority”.
Even worse, our Fire Department, had to wait blocks away from the shooting incident, until the police could safely escort them to the emergency.
What happens if there is a medical emergency, a heart attack, or an automobile accident, mugging, or rape? Who’s going to respond then?
I bumped into Mayor Durkan several times during her campaign for Mayor. She knew who I was, and excitedly talked about how she was such a fan of mine and the Seattle Supersonics, “way back in the day”.
Mayor Durkan….I don’t need a fan, I need leadership from you, and your City Hall.
If you don’t want to lead, resign and get out of the way!
James Donaldson
SuperSonics 1980-1983
Seattle Resident 1980 – 2020
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
[email protected]
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at [email protected] and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
Keep your voice coming! We need to read all sides of this important community issue.
On Sun, Jun 21, 2020, 10:58 AM James Donaldson’s – Standing Above The Crowd’s Blog wrote:
> standingabovethecrowd posted: ” Roughly 36 hours ago, in the infamous > CHOP/CHAZ area on Capitol Hill, there was a shooting. One person died and > one is still at Harborview. This is what we have all been fearing when > neighborhoods are called upon to “police themselves,” and our first ” >
James While I don’t expect you to remember me, I’ve been following some of your blogs, etc and with this one, I thought I should respond. I am in total agreement with you on this and your later one also about Durkan. (Remember “Nickelsville”? I think we should rename CHAZ or CHOP or whatever they are calling it today to “Durkanville” or maybe “Savant Village”. Just FYI, we met several times at His Deal years ago, and I volunteered (unfortunately only in a minimum way) for your mayoral campaign. We met in a parking lot near our condo where you brought me campaign materials. So, may I have your permission to forward these two blogs to some of the men in our church and my select list? You make fair and appropriate comments that need a wider audience. As I read this morning’s paper, I see that the “good mayor” intends to clear out the village “in the near future”. Why not today? It’s overdue from the second day they occupied the streets and parks. Sorry I missed your radio interview this morning. I’m sure it went well. By the way, we moved from Seattle to Camano Island in late November, 2017. I still have many roots and long history in Seattle – since 1959 but so glad to be out of that cesspool. We still attend church in Shoreline and make many trips back to Seattle and Shoreline. Keep up the good work. Know that we are continuing to pray for you. B ======================================================================== Bob Junell c. 206 351 5888