The West Seattleite leaving the Cabinet: Interior Secretary Sally Jewell’s farewell

Sally Jewell, the West Seattleite who has been serving as President Obama‘s Secretary of the Interior, has published her “exit memo.” It’s pointed out in a Seattle Times interview with the outgoing secretary, who told Times reporter Lynda Mapes that she is not “retiring” but plans to take a break before figuring out what’s next. While the former REI CEO’s “exit memo” touts the department “restor(ing) our nation-to-nation relationships with tribes,” it does not mention those – including the Duwamish Tribe – that did not get treaty rights restored. It’s been almost a year and a half since Duwamish chair Cecile Hansen went to Jewell’s neighborhood to make her case, after another denial. Meantime, Jewell’s memo touts a variety of resource and land accomplishments, and notes challenges for the future that don’t often get headlines, such as:

With approximately one-third of the Department’s more than 70,000 employees eligible to retire within five years, workforce development must continue to be a priority. We need to ensure a new generation of wildlife biologists, park rangers, tribal experts, scientists, and other professionals are ready to care for our nation’s public lands and waters.

Jewell has been Interior Secretary for almost four years. President-elect Trump‘s nominee to succeed her is Montana Congressmember Ryan Zinke.

Fiwa Jcbbb January 19, 2017 (2:11 pm)

Thanks Sally, you mostly did a good job. Sadly your replacement will be more interested in the profits of a few than saving what’s left of the environment for our kids. Trump would appear to be embracing the “Basket of Deplorables” concept with his cabinet appointments. A dark day for America and the world tomorrow.

Westside45 January 19, 2017 (4:45 pm)

Before decrying the end of the world why don’t we wait and see what happens. Past performance does not necessarily infer future results. Maybe, but not for sure.

gh January 19, 2017 (6:29 pm)

Good…she’s been a disaster on so many levels.

Mike January 19, 2017 (9:39 pm)

Pretty much, maybe the next will be more interested in preserving land for USE rather than sale and obstructing use.

rob January 19, 2017 (8:37 pm)

God bless our new prez. lets stand behind him and hope for a better future. Hell after the last 8 years is only up hill from here

Al January 20, 2017 (6:46 am)

Thanks for your service Sally and welcome home! Hopefully you decide on your next step soon so you can join the fight against our new Tyrant-with-training-wheels.

Rusty January 20, 2017 (9:29 am)

FIWA JCBBB –

“Sadly your replacement will be more interested in the profits of a few than saving what’s left of the environment for our kids.” –

I have to reply to this, as I think this is an outrageous and slanderous statement. Ryan Zinke served our country as a Navy Seal (22 years). I only served for 5 years, but managed 6 deployments with 2nd Ranger Btn. in that time. If you have never sworn allegiance to our country’s constitution, put on the uniform, and fought for it, I get that you may have no idea the sacrifices involved. Nobody willingly serves this country in uniform to get rich or financially profit themselves – in fact, the pay is pretty meager. Public service, selfless sacrifice, trying to make the world a better place by fighting against tyranny and horror – these are more likely the motivating factors. To say that someone who has served our country for so long, honorably discharging a very dangerous duty, sacrificing so that we can sleep peaceably at night is out for self-interest and profit is simply slanderous. You may not agree with Mr. Zinke’s politics, but let’s keep it to that and have a more honorable debate on the merits of ideas.

Mike January 20, 2017 (8:58 pm)

Like the sacrifice G.W. Bush made, by skipping out of serving in Vietnam to work on public office. Like his father and his grandfather before him. All of whom have a resume with military service to benefit their agenda of profit. Don’t get things twisted, some are there to make profit, it’s not always tied directly to a paycheck from Uncle Sam at the time, but it does profit them. Contract security forces, profit. To those that serve willingly and honorably, hats off to them. To those that use it as a stepping stone for personal gain, eat it.
- Rusty January 20, 2017 (11:38 pm)
  
  Mike –
  
  Please, you’re right – let’s not twist anything. We’re talking about Ryan Zinke, not George Bush. Serving 22 years in special operations is not done for profit. Risking your life and losing brothers does not financially benefit you and is not done for personal gain – it’s done out of love for your country, the men beside you, and a willingness to sacrifice more than you can imagine. Public service means just that at the tip of the spear.

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