You can fight City Hall

Of course, you might not win. Dennis Saxman, a self-described thorn in the side of Seattle officials, has just lost one battle involving the design review process — and he's launched another.

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City budget road show

Chapter 4: During May, Seattle City Council members listened to hours of public comment on how tax dollars should be allocated by the 2009-10 budget. Now what happens? Not much until autumn — then a flurry of activity.

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Neighborhood blogs: the mom-and-pop news business

Running on passion, ground-level media outlets have a business model that's still evolving — or no business model at all.

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Seattle neighborhoods at one table

Chapter 3: Members of the City Neighborhood Council refer to the body's role as "holding the city's feet to the fire," but that expression is more incendiary than the reality. The role is advisory, but sometimes its influence can be seen in City Hall initiatives born or programs saved.

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Fighting City Hall from the bottom up

Chapter 2: Neighborhood district councils are the starting point for citizen involvement in Seattle. At the bottom of the hierarchy, it is a world of long meetings and grinding process. You can have influence there, but it will require a great deal of patience.

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Seattle Process demystified: an introduction to neighborhood planning

Chapter 1: It's been almost a decade since 38 neighborhood plans were adopted by the City Council. The process is about to begin anew. Today Crosscut begins a series of articles looking at the bureaucracy and the process. Consider it a primer for you and your neighbors — and a call to action.

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