Tim Burgess makes a fast start at City Council

This work and other efforts during Burgess’ first year demonstrate his skill at assembling alliances. Council President Conlin, also adept at forging strong coalitions, has clearly taken note of this quality in Burgess, making the two a key power duo. If the council had a vice president, Tim Burgess would likely be it.

Another effect of Burgess’ presence has been to move the council more to the center. The leftist-populist wing, which used to include Peter Steinbrueck, who retired from the council last year, is down to only one, Nick Licata. Burgess has been a solid vote, and often an anchor, for all the mainstream council initiatives this year. That frustrates some progressives. “He not our guy,” declares John Fox, long-time council critic and head of the Seattle Displacement Coalition. “Burgess consistently sides with the mayor’s office in the pro-density, pro-development agenda.” While Burgess has supported money for the homeless and human services, Fox says, “the problem is some of the larger issues,” including funding for Mercer Street, the multifamily tax exemption, and incentive zoning. “He’s not with the neighborhoods on those.”

Burgess was a media business leader before switching to politics. He is an active blogger, who loves to expound on issues and interact with constituents on-line. “It’s real easy to get isolated real fast,” he says of becoming an elected official. “People suddenly go formal.” He’s the one councilmember who allows citizens to post comments, concerns, or criticisms about him or the City on his personal website. He is also an avid user of Facebook, with 327 friends and counting.

His high accessibility on-line contrasts with his sometimes low accessibility in person. It can be hard to schedule face-time with Burgess in his office. During the recent budget cycle some citizens and service providers were frustrated at not being able to see him and make their pitch.

Burgess’ fast start on the council has already generated speculation about a run for mayor someday, and some fans are even talking about a run next year, when Mayor Nickels is expected to seek a third term. Burgess insists he’s not interested. But if Nickels wins in 2009 and decides to step down in 2013, Tim Burgess will be on almost everyone’s short list to run. Maybe even his own.