My phone has been ringing off the hook. I have 3,000; 3,181 nope 3,182 emails in my inbox. Everyone seems to want to know the same thing: "How do I feel?"
News travels fast. Last week, Mayor Nickels and Seattle City Council member Richard Conlin held a press conference about the city's recycling plan. When we met with Conlin on Monday, June 18, he mentioned the possibility of a press conference later this week. Thursday, June 21 to be exact.
That was three days away! What we were supposed to do for three days? Speculate? We did. Wish? Yep, we did that too. Have nightmares about the outcome? No nightmares, because having nightmares would require sleep and that hasn't been an option in the last 72 hours.
This was the longest three days, ever! Joel, a key member of the trash posse, said it perfectly, "It feels like we are waiting for Christmas and we better not get a lump of coal!"
We didn't get coal.
Joel, Holly and I piled into the car on Thursday to make another trek to City Hall. This trip was different for a number of reasons. First, we took an elevator to the seventh floor. We have never made it past the second floor before so already things were different. Then there was a very good chance we would learn if our efforts paid off: we were going to a press conference not to talk but rather to listen. We were about to learn what direction the city council was leaning about the proposed garbage transfer station in Georgetown and we would see how green Mayor Nickels is.
We went into that press conference optimistic but guarded, hopeful but grounded. We all took a seat with our fingers crossed. We didn't know what was about to be announced but we knew the message we wanted to hear.
People started filing into the room: reporters from various outlets, lobbyists from various firms, and city staff. We were moments away.
The word "breathe" kept running through my head.
Sara Nelson, from Conlin's office, entered the room with a stack of papers. She slowly made her way across the room, distributing the news release. We got our copies and our eyes just scanned the document looking for key words like "Georgetown," "Corgiat" or "third facility."
And there it was, half way down the page, the third bullet point: "The expansion of the existing two transfer stations for improved recycling and the decision not to purchase land for a third facility."
I looked at Joel, Joel looked Holly and she looked at me. Did we read this correctly? Is it saying what we think it says?
Yes, our eyes didn't deceive us: we didn't get a lump of coal. We weren't getting a waste station or another intermodal or another railyard either.
Mayor Nickels took the floor and talked about reducing garbage and increasing recycling. Conlin followed and elaborated how this is a turning point for Seattle, how we can once again be a leader. I know he said more but I was a bit numb. Is this really happening?
For so many months we have worked on this issue hoping for a result. No matter how many times you wish for an ending, it is still somewhat surprising when you get your wish. It's especially shocking when you are constantly told, "It's a done deal," or "You'll never defeat this."
But we did.
Rather than fixating on what we can't do, we concentrated on what we can do. We can recycle more. We can change how we view waste. We can affect policy. We didn't just oppose something; we offered alternatives, other answers. We wanted to be part of the solution.
Though we won, this issue is not over, at least not for me. For months we have talked the talk. I am looking forward to the walk part.
So, how am I feeling? Tired. Proud. Relieved. Stunned. Giddy. And everything in between.
There are now 3,216 emails in the inbox!
Georgetown activist and resident Kathy Nyland may be reached via editor@sdistrictjournal.com.
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