Rebuttal: The Seattle City Council's relevance is not in question
The president of the council responds to an earlier article by Crosscut Publisher David Brewster.
Even if I weren't the Seattle City Council's president, I would feel obligated to respond to my old friend David Brewster's inaccurate portrayal of the state of the current legislative branch of city government. When Brewster writes, "It is not widely known by the public, but the Seattle City Council has been effectively shunted to the periphery in recent years. Mayor [Greg] Nickels moved strongly to reassert executive authority from the council and independent department heads, reducing the council to near-impotence (and a lot of reflexive resistance to most mayoral proposals)," I have to say that he has not been doing his homework.
Let's review just the past six months. Council member Jan Drago recognized last fall that the mayor's proposed transportation package, "Bridging the Gap," was too big. She right-sized it and found success with the voters so that the city is now embarking on a much needed, nine-year, $365 million investment in our transportation infrastructure.
During last fall's budget process, Budget Chair Richard McIver, council member Peter Steinbrueck, and I put together a $5.8 million package for increased public-safety spending – both for more police officers and more human services programs aimed at preventing crime. Also during the budget process, council member Tom Rasmussen continued to develop his initiative to help Seattle's senior centers, a key part of our city's safety net. The city's nine senior centers are financially distressed. Rasmussen steered money to them in the budget and funded a study to figure out how the city can partner with these institutions to promote their long-term health.
After the budget, council member Jean Godden took on the mayor and City Light on behalf of ratepayers and reduced electricity rates by more than 8 percent. Godden and the council's staff showed that the City Light would remain in fine fiscal health, despite the cries to the contrary.
Next, Steinbrueck led an initiative to develop a fairer, more rational approach to zoning adult cabarets than the "red-light" district in SoDo offered by the mayor. We will be voting on the "dispersion" approach to strip clubs early next month, and the public has been nonplussed about our legislation compared to the outcry about the mayor's approach.
Over the same time period, council member Richard Conlin has been leading a concerted effort to adopt a "zero-waste" strategy to our trash and recycling quandaries. Instead of spending hundreds of millions of dollars to remodel current transfer stations and build a new dump in the Georgetown neighborhood, as the mayor has proposed, Conlin has pushed to increase our anemic 44 percent recycling rate to upwards of 70 percent by doing simple things like allowing weekly pickup of all residential food waste for composting and facilitating the reuse of much construction and demolition waste.
Council member David Della has responded to the numerous conflicts between neighborhoods and the mayor's Parks and Recreation department by increasing council authority over the parks board. He then nominated John Barber as the first council appointee to the board, and Barber was met with praise from both neighborhood activists, including Crosscut's Paul Andrews, and the parks department itself.
Meanwhile, council member Sally Clark has undertaken a careful review of the mayor's proposal to regulate the city's nightlife. Next month, she will be offering her own package that attempts to balance neighborhood concerns about noise and the city's need to have a vibrant nightlife.
Then, of course, there is the huge debate over the Alaskan Way Viaduct, and council initiatives have succeeded in bringing together the divided stakeholders. First, Conlin crafted a resolution that stated the state and city should start on a series of projects to fix the north and south ends of the Viaduct before trying to solve "the riddle in the middle." Lo and behold, Gov. Christine Gregoire and Mayor Nickels announced a $915 million package to do just that – one day after an advisory election that saw both of their preferred alternatives go down to defeat. Work starts this summer. Now council members Drago and Steinbrueck have developed a proposal for the city to develop an "urban mobility" plan to see what role transit and the existing street grid can play in absorbing the 110,000 vehicles that use the Viaduct daily. The council plans to vote on the measure on Tuesday, May 29.
Maybe Brewster should stop by and see the vote. Then perhaps he would recognize that the council is not on the "periphery" but exactly where the legislative branch should be – providing oversight over the city's executive branch and initiating and passing the laws that govern Seattle.
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Comments:
Posted Fri, May 25, 6:38 a.m. Inappropriate
I've noticed that David Brewster tends to be a spoiler when things are not going his way. It is easy to criticize from the sidelines.
Posted Fri, May 25, 7:11 a.m. Inappropriate
Sorry, Nick, but you and your colleagues are irrelevant. Time and tide wait for no man, not even you. You are increasingly seen as hopelessly bogged down in mind numbing "process" and minutiae with no effective end in sight. Nothing ever seems to get done!
The viaduct is Exhibit "A." How long has it been since the Nisqually quake? Six years and counting??? Yet not a shovel of dirt has been turned on any solution good, bad, or indifferent! And at the rate you are going, it will take many more years of study, deliberation, re-deliberation, re-study, re-re-deliberation, and…Get the picture?
In the meantime the inevitable becomes even more so. When? Today…tomorrow…next week…next month…next year?
In the meantime, people move on with their lives. They move out of the city because it's increasingly unaffordable. They remove their children from Seattle public schools because the city is increasingly seen as unfriendly to middle class families, not to mention how frustrated they are with the schools themselves and the MiniMe nature of the Seattle school board when compared to you guys. And 100,000 of them swallow hard and pray even harder every day as they traverse the viaduct all the while wondering if this isn't the day and hour.
Want to stop the relevance debate Nick? Then wet a line. Ballard bait cutters have nothing on the Seattle City Council.
The Piper
Posted Fri, May 25, 7:47 a.m. Inappropriate
That situation may have changed, and Licata might just be the person to do it.
There might well be enough business experience and wisdom on the left now for those that choose public service to actually do a better job. Certainly there is on Licata's resume.
The historic role of King County Courts manipulating the, uh, trashier, elements of the civil service by pandering to their PC hate is still a risk - and the Mayor still a player.
But if Licata can pull it off, maybe will have another civic and business wise Mayor like Paul Schell - who actually listened to the valid parts of the criticism of his opponents, including Charlie Chong.
Change happens.
P.S.
Hats of to David Della for appointing John Barber to head the Parks Commission - John was a positive, albeit minor, positive influence on me throughout my active days in the Seattle arena.
I recall once a work party on the 'String of Pearls' project at a beautiful Lake Washington Street end. The issue was controversial at the time - and one of the waterfront homeowners actually threw a boulder at me.
It's good to see the nice guys win, even if it takes a while to toughen em up.
Posted Fri, May 25, 8:15 a.m. Inappropriate
Adult Cabarets: this issue was driven entirely by Nickels and the voters - the council watched from the sidelines.
Zoo Garage: Hooray, the council makes a tough decision and approves the garage! Which they undo several months later. Huh?
Nightlife: Nothing seems to be happening. Perhaps the strategy is to kill Nickels proposal by dragging out the process ad infinitum?
Viaduct: I know where Nickels stands, but I couldn't tell you where the council stands. Has the council taken a stand?
Public Schools: What a mess. At least Nickels has tried to have an influence by proposing Norm Rice for sup. Nothing but silence from the council.
I could go on. You know, I find myself disagreeing with Nickels more often than not, and yet I respect him for at least taking a stand and trying to lead. Seattle politics basically come down to the mayor vs. noisy neighborhood groups, neither of which can be counted on to do the right thing. The council members either need to step in and break the gridlock, or step down and let some others have a shot.
Posted Fri, May 25, 9:58 a.m. Inappropriate
Adult Cabarets: I assume you are talking about the nightlife ordinance, despite your cute parochial words. The Mayor proposed the nightlife ordinance; there was no voter support for it, ever. Councilor Clark took extensive testimony and learned the Mayor had lied, and well, lied. There was no need for the ordinacne he proposed, and exisitng problems can be addressed when we have a new police chief who will force oofficer to do their jobs. The Mayor: outtasite. If you are talking about strip clubs Sean, we had a vote on it you know. Can say 'Seventy Percent?'
Zoo Garage: The council quite rightly put the onus on the Zoo to prove the garage would pencil out. It doesn't, not even close. Still, the council approves the bonds while the parties go back to the drawing board. This is how adults do business, Sean. This ain't your daughter's preschool class.
Viadcut: again, Sean has been huffing on that bong too long, and he apparently just can't remember that the council came out for the surface-transit plan, which is now being implemented. Sometimes they work so smoothly and effectively, you can't see it!
Public Schools: the city has nothing to do with the public schools, Sean! The Mayor was an idiot for proposing Norm Rice who, if you would put down the bong for second, declined the job. the Mayor doesn't run the schools anyway, the School Board does. Probably a good thing, since Rice wrecked the city, and we don't need him to wreck the schools too. Hey Sean, why don't you run for school Board!
Uncle Mike
Posted Fri, May 25, 11:10 a.m. Inappropriate
Joel Connelly in today's P-I has some pointed things to say on the whole "Seattle" thing...
Want to know who's in Seattle government? Find the nearest mirror and see who's looking longingly and with admiration at themself hour upon hour upon hour. Bound to be a decision maker...
The Piper
Posted Fri, May 25, 12:17 p.m. Inappropriate
Round 2: Licata's response is calm, well-reasoned, mature, and points out factual accomplishments of each of the Council members. A lot of jabs that do no harm, but Round to the Council.
Round 3: Patricia Stambor appreciates the maturity of the Council and notes that Brewster can be a bit of a spoiler. No real blows landed, although the attempt was made. A draw.
Round 4: dtooley understands a lot of the context in which the Council has to dwell and is sympathetic to the challenge they face. He hopes they can be open to change. Blows landed by both sides, but a draw yet again.
Round 5. Piper notes that it's "axiomatic" in politics that if you have to defend against irrelevance, then you've lost the debate and already are. Piper further points out the Trees of Failure in the Seattle Forest. The Viaduct is NOT a success story for the Council. Yelling "Timber" when that Tree fell is not accomplishment. Piper knocks the Council down, but it gets right back up...
Round 6. Sean lists issues where the Council vacillates or just seems to react to the Mayor. He says the Council isn't leading. Another knock down, but no punch does significant damage. The Council is still in the ring and fighting.
Round 7. Uncle Mike attacks with a flurry of punches, countering anything Brewster's sycophants can put up. He asks Sean "to put down the bong." (Sean's reply is either "Huh? What's a bong?" or to pass it to Mike.) Mike's counter on the Nightclub Ordinance is good. Although the Mayor got the press, the Council seems to be taking the wiser path. But with the Zoo Garage Mike thinks the "the way adults do business" is that they approve something and THEN ask to see if it will pencil. This is laughable on the face of it. Professionals do due diligence first, then they execute. And appearances matter here, because Sean is right that the Council looks like a group of flipflppers. That's how irrelevance happens. And the surface-transit plan as a solution for the Viaduct is swinging at empty air. That "solution" is tangential to the major question that Steinbreuck is about to dedicate his life to. And finally, although the Council has no direct authority over the schools, they have a huge vested interest in their success. Arguably, there's nothing more important for the Council than helping to guarantee the competitiveness, viability, and sustainability of the Seattle Public Schools. Would the Council dive into the lake to save a drowning child or walk right on by because lifesaving is not in their job descriptions? Of course they'd jump in. The Schools should matter to the Council. They should jump in. The Mayor has tried. How about working together?
I'll still give this round to Uncle Mike, but he wore himself out with all the missed punches.
Round 8: Uncle Mike comes out swinging, but the blows are getting lower and lower. Somehow Brewster is "irrelevant," a "footservant," a "carpetbagging wannabe" with "East Coast affectations" and apparently multiple "social climbing personality disorders." And then we hear that Brewster (not Crosscut) deletes postings he disagrees with or that attack authors. And author Richard Morrill is "living in a cave" and is not smart enough to "teach a high school shop class." You can see why online blogs and newspapers need to monitor and moderate postings. Uncle Mike is warned for low blows and the round awarded to Brewster.
After 8 rounds it's 4-2-2 with four rounds for Brewster and the irrelevance of the council, two for Licata and the Council's competence, maturity, and professionalism, and two draws.
Posted Fri, May 25, 12:42 p.m. Inappropriate
By the way, Steven Wright has noted that heat rises, and that's why Heaven is so hot.
Posted Fri, May 25, 1:44 p.m. Inappropriate
Nine blind mice: All nine councilmembers nibble from the same piece of politically correct, 'Seattle way' cheese.
Posted Fri, May 25, 2:34 p.m. Inappropriate
Are we doing 12 or 15 rounds? 12 would be so Seattle, but 15 is what a true champion aspires to.
The Piper
Posted Fri, May 25, 6:40 p.m. Inappropriate
David's editorial is right on the nail and Licata simply reaffirms this by failing to mention a single issue where the Council is acting in a leadership role.
Nickles' success as Dad mayor astonished me. I wold never have guessed this city could ever by governed by a Boss. But that is nwhere we are.
Balance is needed. Someone needs to question the Mayor's vision of a new city, Nicklestown/Vulcanville/Yuppidom or whatever with 350,000 new folks, no schools, no parks, no boulevards, no new business areas .. is something wrong with this picture?
Posted Sat, May 26, 12:26 p.m. Inappropriate
Though I haven't read any of his books (The Rise of the Creative Class, The Flight of the Creative Class, and Cities and the Creative Class) I gleaned a few things from his talk on cable relevant to the discussion of what makes a great city. The Wikipedia entry does a good job of stating his position:
"Florida posits the theory that the Creative Class fosters an open, dynamic, personal and professional environment. This environment, in turn, attracts more creative people, as well as businesses and capital. He suggests that attracting and retaining high-quality talent, versus a singular focus on infrastructure projects such as sports stadiums, iconic buildings, and shopping centers, would be a better primary use of a city's regeneration resources for long-term prosperity."
In the talk I listened to he emphasized that quality of life has been significantly correlated (he's worked with Gallup to do surveys on these questions) with health, job satisfaction, and nearness to family and friends. These are relatively obvious and well-know components of happiness. But he's also found that Place is a huge factor. His book on Cities and the Creative Class looks at this further and finds that areas that are open and tolerant and that have a lot of parks are highly correlated with the Creative Class and with high quality of life. I'm basically regurgitating this from memory, so don't take this as gospel, but it's pretty interesting stuff as it relates to what the goals of a City should be.
Note that Florida (the man, not the state or the 2000 election debacle) is not without controversy, mainly unintentional. His Creative Class came out around the time of the dot com bust, so that event caused many to question the value of the Creative Class. And his thesis that a City benefits from being open and tolerant has the side effect that such a City is open and tolerant to gays, which wasn't really the focus or intent of his research, but dragged him into a hornet's next of political controversy that he hadn't sought.
My main take-away from his talk was that if the Creative Class is really important to a City in terms of quality of life for residents and for economic development, then what should be stressed is parks and laws that are tolerant of the creative class. It would seem that schools and universities are vitally important to fostering an environment for this class of people, and that spreading this environment throughout the City may be a worthy goal. Certainly, we're now at the level of social engineering of a City, which may not be everyone's cup of tea. Ultimately, determining what should or shouldn't be socially engineered is a political leadership question, relevant to our discussion of leadership, and the City Council's own relevance.
I also think that its interesting that a City suited to the Creative Class should be able to encompass the "Nicklestown/Vulcanville/Yuppiedom" vision as well as one with great schools, great parks, and great business areas. They would seem to me to go hand-in-hand.
Posted Sat, May 26, 6:01 p.m. Inappropriate
This is only PARTLY an issue of the cost of housing. It has a lot ot do with the way the city is zoned and with the requirements placed on developers. IMHO 2200 is a bad example, a very bad example of urban design and should not be allowed ot occur again. In essence 2200 is a closed community, like Broadmore built high w/o a golf course. Similarly, the Mayor lobbied for and won a change in code that decreases requirements for retail space and parking. The latter is arguable, the former is worrisome.
Why not have zoning that requires public access to park and retail space in some proportion to the size of then housing development? Tradeoffs, like carbon credits, could be used creatively here ... e.g. you get more points for providing low-return retial space for art galleries than oyu do for high end restaurants. Destination businesses would be especially attractive and should stimulate entreprenurial ideas about theater complexes, clubs, etc.
An interesting example is the Olympic Sculpture Park. W?o this destination I would NEVER want to go to the adjacent neighborhood of high rise fortress like condoes. I assume, however, that the park was built w/o support form the local real estate types? Why not be more forward looking? SLU could be the hiome for a bookstore, theater complex, or even a suburban style mall a la Crossroads with tis wonderful food court/public gathering space. As a resident of Cap Hill, I am really worried that the rezone on Broadway could kill an already fragile retail environment if there is not some sort of insistance on development of destinations .. either retail or public.
Low cost housing may also be the answer IF that hjousing could be targeted by types of people. For example, why not have a jopint UW/developer effort to create facfulty/fellow housing in SLU or Broadway? The benefots to all shold be obvious. Young faculty add a lot to a neighborhood AND badly need affordable housing in this area. Rather than having UW (which is pretty much broke) subsidize housing, if the developers could target their moderate income efforts this way they get great customers while the UW would benefit as well. A similar arguemnt might be made for buildings that offfer moderate priced workspoaces to people who are willing to live and work in one area. Such people might include artists, software developers, or even nurse practitioners attached to a local clinic.
Posted Sat, May 26, 11:23 p.m. Inappropriate
I'll respond to your most absurd claim - that the "the city has nothing to do with the public schools". This is, of course, factually incorrect. The city manages the schools and contributes to their budget. Get back to us once you've read up on the "Seattle School Board" or "Seattle Public Schools Levy and Bond".
The school system is a failure. Almost no one in Seattle who can afford private school (and gets accepted) sends their kids to public school, save for a handful who live in select neighborhoods like Wallingford or Madison Park. The 2001 U.S. Census suggests Seattle has a larger percent of privately schooled kids than any other U.S. city. That's a solid vote of no confidence.
Who will fix it? Certainly not the Board - they are the problem, not the solution. According to you, it's not the council's job either, and given their silence on the issue, they seem to agree with you.
Well I disagree. I hold the mayor and the council responsible for identifying the solution and figuring out how to implement it. If that means disbanding the board, then disband the board. If that means lobbying the state, then lobby the state. If that means putting a petition on the ballot, then put a petition on the ballot.
Whether or not you agree with Nickels, at least he tried to do something. The council, in typical fashion, has done nothing.
Posted Sat, May 26, 11:56 p.m. Inappropriate
Sorry for the confusion, Mike, but in early 2006, Licata and Della spoke out strongly for the rebuild. Then in September 2006, the council supported the mayor's tunnel. After Gregoire got involved they supported putting the tunnel to the vote. Now it appears they're in favor of researching the surface transit option.
At one time or another, they've supported every option on the table except the suspension bridge, and I'm guessing it's only a matter of time before they change their minds and support that option, too. Even a pothead can see that this is a timid and indecisive group that has shown no leadership or backbone on this issue.
And, the surface-transit plan is now being implemented? Well, I hope you are right, but as far as reality is concerned, there hasn't been a decision on what, if anything, will replace the viaduct.
Posted Mon, May 28, 9:29 a.m. Inappropriate
That sorry reputation will be further slimed if you, as a group, approve spending another $8 million on another study for replacement of the Viaduct.
To many voters who use that highway regularly, these actions outweigh all the good that many of you have done over the years. And you can continue to enjoy membership in your exclusive club largely due to the Clownsil being non-partisan. It is EXTREMELY difficult for challengers to procure campaign funding when incumbents have the usual money sources locked up.
And how do incumbents do this?
By catering to special interests. You know EXACTLY what I am talking about. But I will spell it out anyway.
What does it take to get elected? Money.
Where's the money? Tunnel.
SIMPLE AS THAT!
Then, on top of that, you perpetrated that ludicrous 4-option ballot on voters to confuse the issue - calling it advisory to begin with, and then accepting it as a mandate. For what? Certainly NOT what a plurality of voters had in mind.
Don't know what I'm talking about? I'll spell it out again.
Plan to run for office against three challengers in the general election. And PRETEND you need a majority to win.
TRICK QUESTION!!! You don't need a majority, only a plurality, unless you are running for president, in which case only electoral votes matter.
WHY DID THE ADVISORY BALLOT NEED A MAJORITY???
Another trick question. It didn't. Thank you spinmeisters!
Seattle voters have been on the verge of being disenfranchised for years for Seattle mayor and clownsil races. This year may be different. There is enough anger in the community about the Viaduct fiasco that we could be looking at another Strippergate housecleaning. I am cautiously optimistic that this will happen.
There is a grassroots effort underway that may not be apparent to you. It is automatic, generated by our local elected officials. I don't need to lift a finger. But people will be voting with their gas pedals this time. RTID and Sound Transit measures may or may not be approved by the city as a whole ...
But I think that Clownsil members that don't support a rebuilt Viaduct should be a little bit nervous - at least.
You people need to start thinking about the CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER that the current Viaduct poses to users and pedestrians, AND GET BUSY ON A REAL SOLUTION. Let the State get started on rebuilding it. Otherwise, the responsibility for injuries and deaths following the premature collapse of the Viaduct will be sitting on your doorstep.
THAT will be a legacy you can all be proud of.
Have a nice day.
Posted Mon, May 28, 9:48 a.m. Inappropriate
I ALSO want you to know that I will yank that support if you vote for spending another $8 million looking for another solution.
I have always supported Peter Steinbrueck in the past, for everything he has done. I was even willing to forgive his support for a surface/tunnel/whatever, until he proposed his latest boondoggle.
My support for Peter vaporized on May 8. And I suspect I will never support him again, for ANYTHING!
David Della also has my support. Tim Burgess would make a good Councilmember, but he is running against the wrong incumbent. But my opinion of those two could change, depending ...
I hope you can read between the lines.
I am not a single issue voter, but I have my priorities. A few other Viaduct users share those priorities, I think. They, as I, have warm feelings towards the Clownsil every time they ride the old beast.
I'll be watching how you vote this week. I hope my support for you doesn't evaporate as well, but I am running out of patience. And I am the most mild-mannered guy you have ever met.
Thanks for your contributions to our fair city over the years. I'm afraid our next conversation won't be so cordial. PLEASE make me wrong about this.
Have another nice day. On me.
Posted Mon, May 28, 10:10 a.m. Inappropriate
In scoring rounds, do the posts from LoveYourViaduct count as one or two? Rounds, that is. And how do you score it/them?
A question I forgot to ask: Strict Marquess of Queensberry rules? Would hate to see any rabbit punches or below the belt stuff...We see enough of that from Seattle and King County government without getting into the ring; must we see it here, too? I think LoveYourViaduct's assessment of the goobledygook nature of the four-way ballot is a good example of the type of foul about which I complain. Perhaps a referee's warning or the docking of a point on the score cards? Your thoughts, please.
The Piper
Posted Mon, May 28, 10:20 a.m. Inappropriate
But no! Right here in Crosscut!
First, Conlin crafted a resolution that stated the state and city should start on a series of projects to fix the north and south ends of the Viaduct before trying to solve "the riddle in the middle." Lo and behold, Gov. Christine Gregoire and Mayor Nickels announced a $915 million package to do just that – one day after an advisory election that saw both of their preferred alternatives go down to defeat.
Poppycock and more poppycock. So now WSDOT takes its advice from Mr Conlin, huh? Their newest consultant. My my, how impressive.
Somehow I suspect the State came up with its plan independently of that shining light, PERHAPS even at the suggestion of the governor, but I'm not overly optimistic about that.
He probably even suggested that nice round $915 million number. Right? I seem to remember he was spending a lot of time around the lege pumping transporatation issues this spring.
It seems you and Mr Conlin are grasping for some credibility, however fleeting it may be. Perhaps he will be happy to assume the blame for the premature collapse of the structure as well, due to his ardent and timely efforts to replace it as quickly as possible. What do you think?
The Viaduct wasn't defeated in the advisory ballot. It actually won. Supporters of the Rebuild raised about $20 thousand. Tunnel supporters raised $500 thousand. And the Viaduct prevailed anyway.
Now let's take a real life example. Substitute candidates for the Viaduct and Tunnel options.
Wouldn't that be a hoot? A Clownsil incumbent raising half a million, only to be beaten by a candidate raising only a measly $20k? You can't even buy a new CAR for $20k.
Today's Chuckle #2. Why aren't you laughing?
MAYBE BECAUSE THE MAJORITY OF THE CLOWNSIL IS BOUGHT AND PAID FOR BY THE TUNNEL/DEVELOPER FANATICS?
And you know it?
Sorry, Nick. I feel my support for you eroding. No offense. But thanks for the laughs. Maybe you should go into comedy.
Try to have a nice day anyway. I think I will, even though I just fell out of my chair.
Posted Mon, May 28, 10:31 a.m. Inappropriate
Sorry, I'm not into sound bites. Seems like as soon as I post, another idea comes up. That's just me.
Crosscut seems a little staid. Check out the P-I soundoffs sometime. We have some real debates. Not just set it and forget it, more news at 11, like here.
And relax, David. I reference Corsetcut over there all the time too.
By the way, I stopped watching broadcast news years ago. I think you get my drift.
AND STOP BEING SO NICE ALL THE TIME!!! Are all of you competing to be Uptight Seattleite?
Oops, where'd that come from? The Seattle Weakly? Or Meekly?
Sorry David, but it really isn't the same anymore over at that rag.
I think you get my drift.
Posted Tue, May 29, 1:32 p.m. Inappropriate
One of the problems with the Political Fight Business is that it in the old days the fights led up to a true champion and real ideas that would get implemented. Now, you've got so many independent fiefdoms creating their own champions that only rarely do true contenders bother to fight each other. I read a description of Treasury Sec Henry Paulson, ex head of Goldman, who says he lives by the philosophy "that when there is a big problem that needs fixing, you should run toward it, rather than away from it." In Seattle, not only do people run away from problems, they run at CROSS PURPOSES, making things worse and even less likely to ever be solved. The crazy-quilt nature of our political constituencies is like a mildewed blue tarp with duct-tape over its gaping holes rather than like a vital, attractive, well-woven, living fabric. Of course the power of metaphor is completely exhausted at this point, and a cut-man wearing an old ill-fitting plaid coat is needed for the bleeding, beleaguered, punched-out Council fighter...
Posted Tue, May 29, 1:37 p.m. Inappropriate
You think you got troubles in Seattle? Come over to the Eastside where the issue of neighborhoods in unincorporated King County (the uninc's) are faced with being annexed into the Soviet of Kirkland where we'll be required to address each other as "Comrade."
Stay tuned...
The Piper
Posted Tue, May 29, 9:08 p.m. Inappropriate
RE: TKO...The trouble with Mary Alice: Piper, Say it ain't so. Kirkland (which I believe is Native American for Land of 10,000 condo's) simply wants to make your life more...simple. Get away from that pesky day to day decision making and let the City of Kirkland in the County of Dr. Martin Luther King take all of your troubles away. Ronny can make your life easy, just ignore his hand in your pocket, everything will be just fine. Mary Alice knows what is best for you, just ask her. Oh to hear "Flower of Scotland" in Murrayfield just once more before the melee. Good luck Piper.
Posted Tue, May 29, 9:32 p.m. Inappropriate
But those of us who are "uninc's" (meaning we live in unincorporated King County in the proposed annexation areas of Kingsgate, Finn Hill and Upper Juanita) are being herded like so many lemmings into a city that prides itself on something that also makes it home to many of the tip DUI bars in the county. Have to have that "nifty" night life even as it results in trouble for others in the city.
But I'm finding I'm not alone in my concerns...There are those who live within Kirkland who view annexation with about as much enthusiasm as me. So...we'll see what happens.
The Piper
PS: "Flower of Scotland" isn't in my repetoire, but I do a stirring rendition of "Hector the Hero."
Posted Wed, May 30, 3:45 p.m. Inappropriate
Don't believe it? Can't believe it? Refuse to believe it? I offer as exhibit A: this
Is there no tar??? Are there no feathers??? Who among you has a rail??? I hear McLendon's is having a sale on pitchforks and torches!
The Piper
Posted Wed, May 30, 5:56 p.m. Inappropriate
RE: 10-count, 'yer OUT!: At least professional boxing is more or less serious. This is more like watching the fights on cable where everything is fixed, and only the clueless don't know it. My take is that the Seattle Council so little understands transportation that they think an architect is going to design away the traffic flow. There plan is a little like putting the lid down on the toilet and saying, "There, it's fixed!"
Posted Wed, May 30, 8:15 p.m. Inappropriate
The Piper
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