Five Burien City Council candidates share climate views at recent forum

On June 24, five candidates for Burien City Council participated in a forum hosted by Burien People for Climate Action, focusing on local climate policy ahead of the August 5 primary election. The candidates discussed their positions on the city’s Climate Action Plan and strategies for promoting environmental justice. Rocco DeVito advocated for hiring a grant manager to secure funding for transportation and housing initiatives linked to climate goals. Hugo Garcia stressed the importance of stabilizing the city budget to retain experienced staff and proposed quarterly reviews of the Climate Action Plan. Rashell Lisowski called for better public transit promotion and changes to zoning rules to enhance energy efficiency in new constructions.

Sam Mendez pointed out that a progressive council could tackle climate issues even amid budget constraints. The forum highlighted the candidates’ views on sustainability and community education regarding climate change. This event marks a significant moment for Burien residents as they prepare to vote in the upcoming primary election.