West Seattle politics 2139 results

“Do not mail” registry? Seattle City Council vote tomorrow

During the Seattle City Council‘s first regular meeting of the New Year tomorrow, councilmembers are expected to vote on a resolution asking the state to create a registry you could use to opt out of unsolicited direct mail – like the “do not call” registry for telemarketing. If you have an opinion on this, you’re advised to contact councilmembers — Sustainable Seattle has the info here; to read the resolution they’ll be considering, go here. Supporters cite environmental benefits of lower paper use; opponents (whose views are detailed here) say jobs would be lost and the US Postal Service‘s future would be in danger because advertising mail comprises a third of what it handles.

Mayor McGinn’s inaugural speech now viewable online

That’s one of the photos sent by Mayor Mike McGinn‘s staff via Twitter (@mayormcginn) during the City Hall open house this afternoon, with a caption saying he was working on his inaugural speech at the time. A few hours later, he gave that speech at City Hall, and now the video’s available from Seattle Channel online. (Rather just read about the speech? Here’s coverage from our partners at the Seattle Times.) P.S. Voted yet for your favorite citizen proposals on what the mayor’s priorities should be? No? You can do it here. (Among them: This one proposing an off-leash dog area at Lincoln Park.)

Photos: Your newest Seattle city leaders

Thanks to West Seattleite Bill Schrier – also the city’s Chief Technology Officer and the 34th District Democrats‘ webmaster – for sharing photos from this afternoon’s swearing-in ceremony at City Hall; we were a few blocks away at the County Council appointment vote. Mayor Mike McGinn was sworn in by two of his children, Cian and Miyo; City Attorney Pete Holmes was sworn in by his wife, Ann M. Holmes:

You have two new councilmembers too – Mike O’Brien, sworn in by Carolyn Cairns:

And Sally Bagshaw, whose oath was administered by Rev. Dr. Sanford W. Brown:

Seattle Channel video is here; also taking the oath of office today, re-elected councilmembers Richard Conlin and Nick Licata. If you couldn’t make it to this afternoon’s event either, the mayor’s inviting you to a City Hall open house this Saturday, 1-5 pm; he’s planning a speech from the building’s Grand Staircase at 3.

Update: Jan Drago appointed as County Councilmember

(Councilmember Drago sworn in by Superior Court Presiding Judge Bruce Hilyer, official county photo added 5:15 pm)
2:47 PM: As noted toward the end of our earlier report, the King County Council is back in session. It is now moving back to the item regarding appointment of a new councilmember to fill the seat left open when Dow Constantine became County Executive. Larry Phillips has suggested reconsideration of former Seattle City Councilmember Jan Drago – procedural points are being discussed. (A motion to appoint Drago failed three weeks ago in a 4-4 deadlock, as did a motion to appoint State Sen. Joe McDermott, who is supported by the 34th District Democrats, which has a contingent of supporters here as was the case during the 7-hour meeting three weeks ago.) Councilmember Patterson says she’d vote no on Drago; she’s in favor of appointing McDermott. (Drago is not here.) Phillips says he supports McDermott too BUT he doesn’t see another way for the 8th District to go ahead and get representation, aside from the Drago move. Councilmember Larry Gossett says he’ll vote no on Drago – saying he got three more pro-McDermott e-mails just since the council meeting resumed. Gossett says it seems clear McDermott will get voters’ support later this year, so why postpone the inevitable and appoint someone else in the interim? Chair Bob Ferguson says he will vote against reconsideration, too. 1st vote, to reconsider: As he said he would, Phillips goes with the 4 Republican members, and the motion to reconsider passes 5-3. Phillips then defended his move, saying that there is no other way to break the impasse, and saying Drago had an excellent career and will be a good councilmember.

3:12 PM: Councilmember Reagan Dunn says Phillips is doing “a noble thing”; several in the McDermott-support group in the chamber groaned at that. He says, “It may take 12 months but everybody will get what they want here.” He also suggests that maybe it’s better that McDermott not be representing the district while running for the office because campaigning is a “big job.” He says it’s not good for democracy to put somebody in who is “anointed. … But I just want to remind folks, these are all solid Democrats who are here … we followed a process, we worked hard not to hold it up, we haven’t put a Republican name in there … I hate to say it but I think we are being very fair in this process … in the end of the day, democracy wins.” Now there will be a vote to amend the legislation to add Drago’s name. That passes 5-3, the Republicans plus Phillips. And that leads to one more vote.

3:21 PM: Patterson says “it’s a done deal so I’m switching my vote to aye.” McDermott supporters from the 34th District Democrats have gotten up and left the council chambers. Ferguson says he also will vote yes on final passage. And the appointment of Jan Drago passes unanimously. She is not in the chambers but reportedly will be tracked down to be sworn in (not clear at this point if that will happen today).

4:01 PM: We talked briefly with Sen. McDermott afterward. Here’s his short comment on video:

We’ll also be adding video of Councilmember Phillips explaining why he broke ranks. (5:52 pm – here’s the clip):

4:26 PM UPDATE: Drago has been sworn in. Photos at Publicola.

5:15 PM UPDATE: The county shared its official photo, which is now atop this report. With Councilmember Drago, from left, are Councilmembers Dunn, von Reichbauer, and Phillips.

5:47 PM: Congratulatory statement from County Executive Dow Constantine:

“I know that Jan will do a great job as the caretaker in this important office. We have had the opportunity to work together on a number of issues, including the viaduct replacement. I look forward to working with Councilmember Drago to serve the people of the 8th Council District.”

Pre-inauguration, Mayor McGinn’s 1st move

It’s not on the city website last time we checked but a news release came in from Mayor Mike McGinn‘s office in the hours before his ceremonial swearing-in (which you should be able to watch live via Seattle Channel in about 10 minutes) – he’s making moves to tighten the financial reins on city bureaucracy – with possible job cuts to come. Read on for the announcement (plus a 5:31 pm addition – other info sent today regarding mayoral staff salaries and org chart):Read More

New County Councilmember for West Seattle? Item delayed till pm

We’re back at King County Council chambers downtown, where we spent seven hours three weeks ago, the night councilmembers kept deadlocking on who to appoint to the council seat (representing West Seattle, White Center, Vashon among other areas) left open when Dow Constantine became County Executive. The meeting is scheduled to start at any time; we’ll publish updates as they happen – once it starts, you also should be able to watch live on cable TV or online (here’s the link). As happened three weeks ago, a contingent from the 34th District Democrats (photo above) is here to show support for State Sen. Joe McDermott; he too is here. More as it happens; here’s our running coverage from the meeting three weeks ago. 11:28 AM UPDATE: The meeting just started. 11:48 AM: Chair Bob Ferguson says the item will be held till this afternoon – last item on the agenda – and that means after the lunch break they’re about to take. 11:55 AM: The afternoon meeting is scheduled to start at 1:30 pm; we expect to report other news between now and then, so we will start a new item once the meeting resumes. 1:36 PM: We’re back in the council chambers and the meeting has yet to restart. 1:56 PM: The meeting has resumed. The appointment is the last item. We still expect to start a new item atop the page when that discussion begins.

See who’s on the new Seattle Police Chief search committee

December 29, 2009 11:45 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

A followup today to Mayor-elect Mike McGinn‘s decision to restart the search for a new Seattle Police Chief – he’s announced the members of the new search committee. We recognize at least one West Seattle name: former deputy mayor and Seattle Storm co-owner Anne Levinson. Here’s the full list; the McGinn team says the group’s first meeting is set for January 13.

A West Seattleite in the mayor’s office after all

While the West Seattle-resident mayor and deputy mayor will soon be leaving City Hall, an announcement today means there’ll be at least one high-ranking West Seattleite in the office soon: Mark Matassa, a veteran journalist who most recently had worked as deputy editor for Crosscut, has just been announced as Mayor-elect Mike McGinn‘s communications director. Here’s a report from Seattle Weekly. 4:50 PM UPDATE: The appointment is now posted on the transition website at new.seattle.gov, along with some other McGinn staff announcements.

Also today/tonight: WS Democratic Women; Sealth concert; more

December 17, 2009 9:45 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics | West Seattle schools

2 more event reminders have arrived since our earlier item about today/tonight highlights. First, the West Seattle Democratic Women are lunching today, with guests including two of the local leaders who remain finalists for West Seattle’s open King County Council seat after the long no-decision night the other night (here’s our play-by-play if you missed it):

The West Seattle Democratic Women are having their annual fundraiser/auction at the West Seattle Golf Course today at 11:30. Come on down if you are in the area. Lunch is $10, but you can just come and hang out with us if you like. We have some great auction items and Sen. Joe McDermott and Rep. Sharon Nelson will be attending.

Here’s a map to the golf course. Meantime, Lynn sends word of the Chief Sealth HS winter concert – happening outside WS:

Due to lack of a performance space at Boren, Chief Sealth High School Music Department will be presenting their winter concert tonight at Mercer Middle School Auditorium (1600 S. Columbian Way) at 7PM. Admission is free and following groups will be performing.

Jazz Band
Concert Band
String Orchestra
Mariachi band
Intermediate and Honor Choirs
Men’s Vocal Ensemble

Here’s a map to Mercer Middle School. Also today/tonight, some holiday-shopping special events – more on those next.

ADDED 11:07 AM: Since the Ryan Cox arrest will be atop the home page here for a while, here are a few of the shopping notes we wanted to share: First, tonight 5-9 pm, longtime WSB sponsor Click! Design That Fits in the Admiral District is having its “Wrap It Up” party, 5-9 pm, with 15 percent off purchases over $100. (While you’re in the Admiral area, check out the other local businesses that have joined Click! in sponsoring WSB this season to encourage you to “Shop Local” in their district too – they’re listed on this page, with a map and even coupons [yet more coupons here].) On Alki, Coastal Boutique is having a sale event noon-7 pm today with 40 percent savings. And looking ahead to this weekend, six Junction businesses have joined forces to offer free “stocking stuffers” with purchases, including WSB sponsor Brunette Mix – another participant, Clementine, has the full list here.

Update: County Council deadlocked on appointment, after 7 hours

(the meeting is now adjourned – as-it-happened updates below)

(photo added 8:42 – all eyes on the door to one of the areas where council members strategized)
ORIGINAL 3:34 PM REPORT: We’re at the King County Council‘s chambers on the 10th floor of the County Courthouse downtown, where county councilmembers are about to move on to the agenda item that will result in their vote on a new councilmember to represent West Seattle and other areas of the 8th District, now that Dow Constantine has become County Executive. You can watch live on Cable Channel 22 or online at the county website; councilmembers have just called a recess until 3:50, at which time they will take up this agenda item. We will publish word of the decision as soon as it’s made, as well as any in-progress toplines, depending on what happens before the vote is taken. 3:53 PM UPDATE: It’s just been announced the recess will continue till 4:30 – they’re waiting for an absent councilmember to arrive. 4:35 PM: And the recess is extended to 4:45. A sizable 34th District Democrats contingent is here to show support for State Sen. Joe McDermott, who the group supports for the job – they’re handing one of these buttons to everyone who arrives to join the show of support:

5:25 PM UPDATE: They’re now out of recess. Joe McDermott‘s name has been proposed as the appointment, for starters. Councilmember Julia Patterson is saying, “This was a difficult choice.” She says that one of the things that made the difference for her is the fact that Sen. McDermott has lived in the 8th District for his whole life, and “the people of the district have leaned on (him) to represent him” over the past 9 years (in his legislative roles). She describes McDermott as a skilled consensus-builder. Now Councilmember Larry Phillips says he concurs with Patterson regarding Sen. McDermott, and appreciates everyone who came forward “to help us sort through this.” Councilmember Larry Gossett expresses appreciation for McDermott’s advocacy for racial and sexual minorities. Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer is now speaking and says he’s been very impressed by Sen. McDermott and even more impressed by all the people who have expressed support for him. But he says he will vote for the caretaker position (which would mean either Drago or Nelson), not “against” McDermott. And the vote to appoint McDermott failed – 4-4 tie (no one spoke against his appointment before the vote).

(that’s video of the first vote, the first deadlock re: appointing McDermott)
There is now a recess (with several councilmembers having gone behind closed doors). In addition to Rep. Nelson and Sen. McDermott, Councilmember Drago is now here.

5:56 PM: It’s just been announced the recess will continue till 6:15. Several other journalists are here; from the politics-watching-specialty world, Erica C. Barnett from PubliCola says the 4 Republican-leaning councilmembers (though the positions are now technically nonpartisan) want to give the job to Drago as a one-year caretaker. We talked with Drago for a few minutes after the recess started; she had just completed her last meeting on the Seattle City Council, after 16 years (she ran for mayor instead of running for re-election). The gallery’s abuzz with how a tie will be broken if the councilmembers stay deadlocked.

6:21 PM: They just announced the recess will continue till 6:45. The lone TV photographer here is packing up.

6:30 PM: Now they are out of recess, and they are nominating Jan Drago. Reagan Dunn says he is leaning toward the caretaker role and believes Drago has the experience. Councilmember Larry Phillips restates his support for Sen. McDermott. The Drago vote deadlocked again. No one proposed an amendment so they’re going to recess again. “Has anyone talked to Greg Nickels?” someone quips, stirring laughter from the otherwise somewhat nerve-wracked audience.

6:54 PM: Still in recess – here’s our video of that second vote, in which the councilmembers deadlocked on the Drago nomination:

7:13 PM: They are out of recess. Dunn is now nominating Dr. Arun Jhaveri , former Burien mayor, “one of the applicants who went through the committee process.” There is a call for another recess, to confer. Someone in the back row suggests frequent candidate Goodspaceguy.

7:22 PM UPDATE: They’re out of recess to discuss this, the third nomination motion. Councilmember von Reichbauer is asking if Rep. Zack Hudgins had ever said definitively whether he would run for the permanent job. “That opens a whole new view of the candidates,” he said. They’re taking a quick break to call him to clarify whether he’s interested in the caretaker role or not. Meantime, here’s more context on Dr. Jhaveri. Much buzz in the gallery about whether pizza should have been ordered for delivery – some of the 34th District Democrats members here to support Sen. McDermott have been here since the council meeting began at 1:30 pm (McDermott was here at 9:30 when the council Committee of the Whole first took up the motion).

7:41 PM: Councilmember Dunn came out to the Chambers and muttered loudly, “They’re going down the list.” (Here, by the way, is the original list of 11 nominees, culled to 4 by a panel of community members – Rep. Nelson, Sen. McDermott, Rep. Hudgins, Councilmember Drago, all of whom were interviewed by the council last Monday.

8:03 PM: Still in recess … 8:11 PM: Most of the council came out of the door to the right of their half-moon dais, and trooped over to go into the door at the left. … 8:26 PM: After 7 hours, Rep. Nelson just left (has to catch a ferry home). No hint of how much longer the recess will last. Meantime, Councilmember Drago has just gone into the closed-door gathering. 9:02 PM: Members are trooping back and forth between the left and right doors. Dunn just strode from left to right smiling, wagging his finger and proclaiming “I got an idea!” … 9:35 PM: Hour 7 now. Still in recess. Conserving remaining battery power so check @westseattleblog for updates till they reconvene (the iPhone’s not dead yet).

9:39 PM: Had to turn the computer right back on – now they’re reconvening. Dunn withdraws amendment for Hudgins, saying that while he was willing to be a caretaker, it might affect his legislative status. Now Pete von Reichbauer is proposing consideration (hasn’t moved this yet, just suggesting) of a cooling-off period while the council is in recess. He explains the impasse, saying there are technicalities that would keep them from bringing up McDermott or Drago again. Councilmember Larry Phillips says, “We are deadlocked at this point … we will go on to deliberate another day … I hope everybody has a good holiday.” Reagan Dunn suggested that they ask the review committee for two more names to suggest. The council does not reconvene till January 4. Bob Ferguson says he’s “optimistic” this will be resolved then. “Sometimes in government and politics there are deadlocks, and for tonight there’s a deadlock, ultimately we will reach a consensus on a deadlock.”

9:53 PM: 34th District Democrats chair Tim Nuse says, “It’s very disappointing. The district needs representation. We’ve got the right choice with Sen. McDermott … (for now) they’ve clearly put politics ahead of the interests of the public. But we stayed here all night, we’ll be working for the next two weeks, and when they reconvene, this room will be packed.”

Today: County Council chooses new rep for West Seattle (& beyond)

December 14, 2009 9:16 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

After interviewing the four community-committee-recommended finalists for appointment to the King County Council seat left vacant by Dow Constantine‘s election as County Executive, councilmembers are scheduled to decide today who will hold the job for the year remaining in his term. It’s a two-step process today, starting with their meeting as the Committee of the Whole at 9:30 am, then finalization during the official council meeting this afternoon. The four finalists are 34th District State Sen. Joe McDermott of West Seattle and 11th District State Rep. Zack Hudgins of Tukwila, both of whom have said they would run for the job next year, and State Rep. Sharon Nelson of Maury Island and Seattle City Councilmember Jan Drago of Pioneer Square, who have said they would not. You can watch live on cable channel 22 as well as online. 9:43 AM UPDATE: The Committee of the Whole meeting has just begun. Councilmember Reagan Dunn has just announced they won’t make a recommendation till the full Council meeting this afternoon.

Mayor’s first round of “cabinet decisions”; plus, a WS tie in Olympia

December 10, 2009 5:39 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Just published at the transition website: The department heads who are staying include Stella Chao from Neighborhoods and Diane Sugimura for Planning and Development, plus West Seattleite Bill Schrier from Information Technology. Will Grace Crunican (also a West Seattleite) keep her job running Transportation? No announcement today; the McGinn team says more decisions will be announced next week. ADDED 5:44 PM: A state appointment to note tonight too – Governor Gregoire announced a new communications director today, J. Cory Curtis, and we just got word that Curtis is a West Seattleite.

Today/tonight in West Seattle: 3 ways to help, 1 way to celebrate

TWO FUNDRAISERS FOR OFFICERS’ FAMILIES: It’s the 2nd of two days for the Papa John’s Pizza “profits to the Lakewood officers’ families” fundraiser – as reported here last night (with help from many commenters), the response was massive. There’s another way to enjoy yummy food and know you’re helping the officers’ families: Pasta dinner for a $10 donation at both West Seattle Merrill Gardens (WSB sponsor) locations, 5-7 tonight – details here.

ANIMALS FIRST FOUNDATION FUN @ FEEDBACK: Fundraiser tonight at the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) on behalf of Animals First Foundation – 7 pm, $10 donation gets you snacks, games, and a chance to hear from local animal advocates including West Seattle’s own Teri Ensley of Furry Faces Foundation.

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS’ HOLIDAY PARTY: No business, just celebration, says the 34th DDs’ website, capping a year in which one of their own longtime members ascended to the County Executive’s office. 6 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy. It’s a potluck, so don’t come empty-handed. P.S. Congratulations to the 34th DDs’ webmaster Bill Schrier, who’s also City of Seattle Chief Information Officer, and in that capacity has just landed on the Computerworld Top 100 list of Premier IT Leaders

For more holiday haps – the West Seattle Holidays page is chock-full (just three days till the Christmas Ship‘s big West Seattle weekend, and four days till the next Hometown Holidays Sunday in The Junction!) – and for other events, including a Stand for Children recruitment event in WS tonight, see the WSB West Seattle Events page.

West Seattle politics: Meet your state legislators Tuesday night

December 6, 2009 1:59 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Just out of the WSB inbox:

West Seattle members of the League of Women Voters of Seattle will host a public conversation with the three 34th District legislators: Sen Joe McDermott, Rep. Sharon Nelson and Rep Eileen Cody. The event will be held at 7pm on Tuesday, Dec 8th in Fellowship Hall at Fauntleroy UCC church at 9140 California Ave. The Legislators will meet in January, so now is the time to talk to your legislators about important issues facing the people of this state. The public is welcome and coffee and cookies will be served. For more information, contact Lucy Gaskill-Gaddis at 938-3040.

January 11 is the start date of the legislative session – follow along at the state’s official site. Meantime, Sen. McDermott and Rep. Nelson are in the “final four” for the County Council seat that County Executive Dow Constantine left; council members interview all 4 tomorrow.

West Seattle scene: Mayor-elect McGinn parties in West Seattle

Just this morning, we were talking about the maps showing who voted for who, where, around the city in last month’s election – and noting that West Seattle had something of an east-west split between Joe Mallahan support (most of the western side of the peninsula) and Mike McGinn support (most of the east). Christi Stapleton just sent us a photo of Mayor-elect McGinn at the biggest event in eastern West Seattle tonight (actually probably the biggest event on the whole peninsula), the holiday party at the Duwamish Longhouse for progressive groups including Sustainable West Seattle, CoolMom and the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition. Earlier this week, the mayor-elect held his first three town halls; videos for all three are now viewable from this page on the transition website.

Election 2009: How the mayoral vote went in West Seattle

The precinct-by-precinct numbers are out for the November 3 (finalized Nov. 24) election, and our partners at the Seattle Times have made some maps. If you take a closer look at the one for the mayor’s race (direct link here, opens a PDF), you’ll see that, in general, the Joe Mallahan/Mike McGinn vote split east-west on the peninsula – Mallahan west, McGinn east. Earlier this week, Publicola put together a map that breaks down the McGinn/Mallahan support into several additional categories.

Advisory committee recommends “final four” for County Council

An unusual late-night announcement from the King County Council. An advisory committee has narrowed down the list of 11 candidates seeking appointment to the Council seat given up by Dow Constantine when he became King County Executive last week. They are recommending four candidates be interviewed for Council District 8, which includes West Seattle and White Center. All four are current elected officials; two say they’ll run for the seat in November 2010, 34th District State Sen. Joe McDermott (the only West Seattleite in the quartet) and 11th District Rep. Zack Hudgins,, while the other two say they will not run for the “permanent” job – outgoing Seattle City Councilmember Jan Drago (who ran for mayor instead of for council re-election) and 34th District State Rep. Sharon Nelson. Read on for the full announcement and what happens next:Read More

Update: Seattle City Council passes “chronic nuisance” law

City Councilmember Tim Burgess‘s staff sends word that the “chronic nuisance” ordinance – one of two proposals that address some of the problems flagged in the Delridge problem-properties tour last April – has won unanimous approval. Here’s what Burgess wrote about it on his website; read the bill here.

Followup: West Seattle park gun rule challenge goes to court

At left, that’s Bob Warden of Kent, with the parks security employee who asked him to leave Southwest Community Center during his much-publicized challenge to the city’s parks-facility gun restrictions two weeks ago (here’s our coverage from that day). He said at the time he planned to file legal action as a result; now, he has, according to e-mail we just received from him, which included the complaint he says was filed in federal court this morning and served at Mayor Nickels‘ house. The mayor and the city are named as defendants, in Warden’s claim that the city rule violates the U.S. and Washington state constitutions. Read the entire 11-page document here. (City offices are closed so we might not get an official response today.)

Dow Constantine swearing-in report #2, including what/who’s next

(Still photos in this report are courtesy King County)
A photographer working for King County took that photo of West Seattleites Dow Constantine and longtime partner Shirley Carlson in the front row at Daniels Recital Hall downtown, moments before he went to the stage to be sworn in as King County Executive. From the balcony overhead, we caught the subsequent aerial view:

We added a long excerpt of his speech to our original as-it-happened report on this afternoon’s event. You can also read the full speech text here. The county’s photos also include parental congratulations:

And here’s a cutaway of the camera-laden crowd:

Afterward, the Total Experience Gospel Choir (which rehearses at West Seattle’s Kenyon Hall) sang:

And then, with the 5 pm news hour approaching, it was time for the new County Executive to meet the media, and talk more about his immediate priorities:

His move to the County Executive’s office leaves a vacancy on the King County Council for District 8, which includes West Seattle. We’ve reported before on the process planned to find his successor to cover the next year, till what was his term expires in fall 2010. This afternoon – just moments before he was sworn-in – the county announced the list of 11 applicants for the immediate appointment (the following is an excerpt from the announcement, with the descriptions exactly as the county provided them):

Jan Drago—A member of the Seattle City Council who is leaving the Council this year
· Helen Howell—Former Director of the state Department of Financial Institutions, served as Deputy Chief of Staff under Governor Locke
· Zack Hudgins—State Representative from the 11th District
· Jake Jacobovitch—Engineer in the Road Services Division of the King County Department of Transportation
· Arun Jhaveri—Former Regional Technology Manager with the Federal Energy Management Program and former Mayor of Burien
· Lucy Krakowiak—Burien City Council Member and a member of the King County Library Board of Trustees
· Joe McDermott—State Senator from the 34th District
· Shawn McEvoy—Mayor of Normandy Park
· Sharon Nelson—State Representative from the 34th District,
· Vlad Oustimovitch—A partner at VoKa Incorporated, and a former Development Program Manager for the Seattle Housing Authority
· Kathleen Quong-Vermeire, Commissioner, Highline Water District, former Mayor of Normandy Park

Only two West Seattleites on that list — Sen. McDermott, whom the 34th District Democrats support (as reported here) as Constantine’s successor, and Oustimovitch, who also currently serves on the group of “stakeholders” helping plan the South Portal end of the Viaduct/Tunnel project. Rep. Nelson has been a longtime Constantine staffer; she emceed this afternoon’s event:

According to the county’s news release about the applicants, they both say they would run for the job after the appointed year expires; the advisory committee that will review them is supposed to recommend at least one finalist who would run, and one who would not. The County Council, now chaired by Councilmember Bob Ferguson, will interview the finalists starting Dec. 7; the advisory committee plans interviews on Dec. 3. In the meantime, another sign of the changing of the guard: Some new features on the county website, including, of course, the County Executive section.

As-it-happened updates: Dow Constantine’s swearing-in ceremony

(Photo above courtesy King County, added 7:32 pm; original report and photos start below)

ORIGINAL 4:02 PM REPORT: We’re at Daniels Recital Hall downtown, the former 1st United Methodist Church, where West Seattleite Dow Constantine is about to be sworn in as King County Executive. As you’d expect, it’s a who’s-who of local politics here – we’ve seen West Seattleites Mayor Greg Nickels, Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis and State Sen. Joe McDermott (who’s hoping to succeed Constantine as King County Councilmember for District 8) so far, as well as State Rep. Sharon Nelson. 4:08 PM UPDATE: The chair of his transition team is giving introductory remarks. And now (4:11), State Rep. Nelson is speaking – starting by saying, “This is a new day for King County” and then talking about the fight to protect Maury Island (where she lives) and the rest of Puget Sound. 4:18 PM: Constantine has been sworn in and is giving his “100-day plan” speech. “These are challenging times,” he says. He’s talking about “growing up in West Seattle, the son of two schoolteachers.” … “The era of government by mere good intention is over. Starting today, we will begin to build partnerships … to lead to fundamental change in the way King County government does business. … and we promise to preserve quality of life … in a way that is sustainable.” He speaks of green jobs, environmental protection, and is thanking his family as well as his “army” of campaign volunteers.

4:26 PM: Constantine says he wants “a culture of performance” to change county government and says that Deputy Executive Fred Jarrett (the eastside State Senator who ran for the County Executive job in the primary) will lead the effort to create that culture. He also stresses an emphasis on customer service. “My administration will represent all of King County — rural, suburban, urban.” That includes “reprioritizing Metro transit services,” he promises. He says he rode the number 56 bus (from West Seattle) today. He says it’s time to stop allocating Metro services based on old formulas and “political divisions.” Reducing costs, improving customer services – he says county employees “will be our best partners” toward making that happen. “We know that you know how to make things work better” – in a “culture of continuous improvement.” He promises a program to have the County Executive “walk a day in the shoes of a county employee.” He mentions having cut 15% of the staffing levels in the County Executive office and says that he and other staffers in the office have taken salary cuts from what people who held those jobs before were making. He says county government will be more user-friendly and transparent … “This is a tall order, and we will need all hands on deck.”

4:33 PM: He is quoting Bill Gates and Jimi Hendrix – the latter, “In order to change the world, you have to get your head together first.” He promises to harness the “innovation and spirit that built this region” — while protecting values including stewardship, sacrifice, service, rights. “This belief that we can do it, and do it right, is why we’re here today. … I want to thank the people of King County for their vote of confidence.” Short speech, less than 20 minutes, and after that sentence, plus several rounds of “thank you” – it’s over.

4:37 PM: The Total Experience Gospel Choir is singing now (another West Seattle touch – they practice at Kenyon Hall). “Lean On Me” — appropriate since Constantine told the crowd, in the final lines of his speech, that he and his administration would need everyone’s help. (We’ll publish a separate report later with video from the speech and clearer photos – the ones in this story were iPhone on-the-spot pix.)

See the official final King County election results

checkbox.jpgThe county’s on furlough tomorrow, and has certified election results today – this is it, three weeks after Election Day, the final count. Dow Constantine, who’ll be sworn in at 4 pm (more here), beat Susan Hutchison for County Executive with 325,777 votes (59.04%) to 224,467 votes (40.68%); for Seattle Mayor, Mike McGinn (who takes office in January and just announced 3 town halls – none in West Seattle – today) beat Joe Mallahan with 105,492 votes (51.14%) to 98,302 (47.65%). Countywide voter turnout was 53.2%, half a percent point less than the last major off-year general election in 2005 (after which the vote-by-mail proposal was made). See all the results here.

Update: Dow Constantine to outline 100-day plan at swearing-in

November 23, 2009 1:23 pm
|    Comments Off on Update: Dow Constantine to outline 100-day plan at swearing-in
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Update on the plan for tomorrow’s ceremony to swear in West Seattleite Dow Constantine as King County Executive – he’ll also announce his “100-day plan”:

King County Executive-elect Dow Constantine will be sworn in as the eighth County Executive in the history of King County’s charter form of government on Tuesday, November 24, in ceremonies at the former First United Methodist Church, a downtown sanctuary and landmark he helped save from demolition.

King County Elections is scheduled to certify the results of the November general election on Tuesday.

Immediately upon being sworn-in, Constantine will outline plans and initiatives for his first 100 days in office.

The ceremony and speech will be held:

Tuesday, November 24
4:00 p.m.
Daniels Recital Hall
Fifth and Marion Street [map]

People elected in November aren’t usually sworn in till January, but because of the nature of the transition before him – Ron Sims leaving before his term ended, Kurt Triplett taking over till the election – Constantine takes office tomorrow. With the ballot count almost final, Constantine’s victory has a 19-point margin – 59% of the vote, to 41% for Susan Hutchinson; in raw numbers, he got 101,000+ more votes than she did.