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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowDemocrat Melina Kennedy, who will challenge incumbent Republican Mayor Greg Ballard in the fall, has released a plan detailing ideas for making the city greener.
Among Kennedy’s priorities is educating residents and businesses about recycling and making it more convenient.
Plans also include pushing for a citywide smoking ban, establishing a green purchasing policy for the city, developing aggressive strategies to improve air-quality, and setting up a forum to host local and national experts on sustainability issues.
“The quality of the city is not just measured by the brilliance of its skyline, but also by the treatment of the land on which it exists and the air and water its residents consume,” Kennedy said in a press release. “A clean environment and sustainable practices are integral to achieving our economic goals and a desirable quality of life.”
The issue of sustainability has taken on a higher profile in city government in recent years.
Ballard started an office of sustainability and has pursued initiatives such as additional bike lanes, energy-efficiency measures for city-owned buildings and urban gardens. Ballard also has pursued—but has not brought to fruition—a subsidized curbside recycling program.
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