(編譯 張百合)週一,《西雅圖時報》公佈了一份西雅圖市長艾德·墨瑞和市議員薩利·拜戈修(Sally Bagshaw)之間上個月的短信記錄,墨瑞稱拜戈修若執意阻止他對I-5公路旁無家可歸者營地「叢林」(The Jungle)的清掃計劃,他就會停止對城市街道的清掃和保護行動。
這場5月21日的短信對話是這樣開始的:「這裡是艾德·墨瑞——如果你想這麼叫我的話。」
隨後,市長說,「如果你發起針對無家可歸者事件的提案,限制我們處理叢林裡發生的強姦案、暴力犯罪和自行車盜竊案的能力,我會停止所有城市內的清掃服務,並撤除所有警力。我們正在控制我們的街道的能力。」
拜戈修回復:「市長先生,真的是你麼?」墨瑞回復,「是的」。
這場週末短信對話持續了幾個小時,市長當時剛結束中國和日本的商務之旅,在回西雅圖的路上。他試圖聯繫到拜戈修,阻止她限制自己的清掃計劃,這項計劃要求和叢林居民之間做數周的聯絡工作,然後將他們徹底移出叢林。
拜戈修和市議會中的其他反對者討論了一項保護叢林居民、使其不必從裡面搬出的提案。但她在第二周就推翻了自己的計劃,並告訴媒體和公眾,她已經開始和市長辦公室合作了。
拜戈修提出的提案設置了關於如何解決這個長期問題地點的額外指南,包括市長和議會都同意在外聯工作者跟每個人都聯繫上之前不會給趕走任何人。它還要求市長提前至少三天給議會發通知,才能移除不願意或不能接受幫助的居民。
從1月的槍擊案開始,叢林就受到了許多額外關注。此後不久,一項對那裡200多頂帳篷的檢測報告指出營地處於不衛生且危險的狀態。
本週一,墨瑞沒有立刻解釋他在短信中說「我會停止所有城市內的清掃服務,並撤除所有警力」這話的意思。在聲明中,市長發言人稱墨瑞「對市議員拜戈修懷有深深的敬意」。他並補充說明,「他們很喜歡有產出的工作關係,市長期待著和她繼續合作,改善城市對流浪者問題的處理方式」。
在採訪中,拜戈修推翻了墨瑞的短信一說,稱這都是因為雙方太累了。她說,「我真的只把這當成八小時時差和累癱在機場的產物。」當被問到市長明顯的威脅口徑時,她表示,「說真的,我覺得他只是太累了。」
但拜戈修也表示她此前並沒有和任何政府官員發過這樣的短信。在此之前,她和市議會的其他成員關係都不錯。他們一起工作,對她的提案進行了2個小時的談判會議。她稱她還沒有當面和市長講過這件事。
另一名議員麗薩·赫伯德(Lisa Herbold)稱自己曾在1月和市長有過一次類似的交流。再一次關於營地清理的討論中,市長對她的意見回以威脅,稱他將乾脆取消所有營地管理辦法。赫伯德說,「我很震驚。我當時說,我希望這不是我們討論的最終結果,那並不是我想達到的目的。我們之間的分歧並沒有那麼大。」
附錄:市長與拜戈修議員之間的短信對話全文
Saturday, May 21:
MAYOR ED MURRAY 7:27 p.m.: This is Ed Murray could you call me at (phone number)
CITY COUNCILMEMBER SALLY BAGSHAW 7:34 p.m.:Tomorrow ok? Otherwise (9:30)
MURRAY 8:16 p.m.: If you do resolution on homelessness restricting our ability to deal with the rapes and other violent crime and the bike chop shops down there in the jungle I will stop all clean ups throughout the city and pull police off enforcement. We are losing the ability to control our streets.
BAGSHAW 9:02 p.m.: Is this really from you Mr. Mayor?
MURRAY 9:12 p.m.: Yes.
9:54 p.m.: Still trying to reach you. Time difference and we are coming back early so (traveling) all day tomorrow
10:04 p.m.: … we are coming back early which means I will be on a plane all day. So I need to speak with you this evening Seattle time. I am getting media (claims) that you are leading a council effort to stop our efforts in the jungle. I am stunned so I should talk with you before I respond.
Sunday, May 22:
BAGSHAW 3:45 a.m.: … I am still gathering information and community comments. I will definitely share a draft with Mike Fong, Scott, Anthony, Maggie and Leslie for their input as well. Have a safe flight.
MURRAY 3:47 a.m.: I assume it is 4am in the morning so I won’t call now. I am absolutely taken aback by your lack of collaboration. Don’t get it.
4:11 a.m.: So I will stay up until I hear from you.
1:29 p.m.: Still waiting to hear from you.
10:46 p.m.: Scott Lindsey said you won’t speak with me because I will yell at you. I have always been with staff when I meet with you and I have never yelled at you.
10:46 p.m.: I have been forceful in my profound disagreement with you on how to approach homelessness, based on the consultants critique of the city.
10:46 p.m.: I am now going to skip a flight in an attempt to reach you.
10:46 p.m.: Sally I don’t know what is going on, but for the sake of the city will you please speak with me?
BAGSHAW 10:56 p.m.: I just tried to reach you. I am planning to meet Hyeok and Mike and Scott early Monday.