October 12, 2009 -- West Seattle Herald (WA) Candidate Pete Holmes Spreads 'No New Jail' Message In West Seattle By Steve Shay

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Original: http://www.westseattleherald.com/2009/10/11/news/candidate-pete-holmes-spreads-no-new-jail-message-west-seattle

Seattle City Attorney candidate Pete Holmes, who is running against two-time incumbent Tom Carr in the Nov. 3 general election, walked through the Alaska Junction Monday morning, Oct. 12, on a meet-and-greet, discussing his stances, including no new jail in Seattle.

He is pushing for crime-reduction programs.

"I believe that Tom Carr is a good man but he has lost his way," said Holmes today. "He has forgotten that he doesn't simply represent city hall. He represents the people of Seattle. That's why we have had some bad decisions like the Sonics. We knew seven years ago that King County was going to take away the jail beds from us that we're faced with building a quarter billion dollar new city jail.

"They are moving forward with site planning (for the jail), which is to me very scary (...) With leadership in the city attorney's office we can reduce the dependence of a city jail. Once Dow Constantine is elected King County Executive, I'm confident I can work with the city and county to reduce the need of a regional jail. The concept that a Seattle city jail is in our future is abhorrent to me while we are forced to close neighborhood schools. We have not reduced the need for dependence on a new jail over the past eight years under Tom Carr."

According to Holmes' literature, he is endorsed by King County Council member Larry Gossett, Seattle City Council member Nick Licata, former Seattle City Council member Peter Steinbrueck, among others. One of his endorsements is far afield.

"I have the endorsement of Buckingham County, Virginia," said Holmes with a proud grin. "That's where I was raised. While it was Bible-belt country in the center of the state, folks there used to say they figured I would become a left-leaning politician."

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