Posted on 12/30/2003 11:53:42 PM PST by Northwesterner
This has been one heck of a year for Seattle City Council. But no pitty here. Voter confidence polls on Seattle City Council have shown a steady decline for two years. You would have thought that Seattle City Council would have seen the writing on the wall with such a decline in confidence -Well they did see the writing in the last hour. A little was done and a little too late. On November 4, 2003, with its meager voter turn out, the disappointed voters shouted with their vote "WE WANT A CHANGE" and a change is what the voters got- Three Seattle City Council incumbants went to defeat! (It hasn't been since 1935 that voters dramatically turned over Seattle City Council with a three incumbant defeat).
IN THE ELEVENTH HOUR (The few months just prior the Nov. 2003 election.)
Seattle City Council had acknowledged that voters lacked confidence in city council and tried to make some amends by allowing public comment at all committee meetings in addition to full council meetings. Also created, was a new standing Quasi Judical Report -given weekly (every monday). FYI, basically, the judical report advises the council on issues that are discussed and debated. The issues must follow the Judical Guidlines (laws). If the issue is not within the guidlines, Council is not to be lobbied or make an opinion on the particular issue. THIS IS TO PROTECT AGAINST SPECIAL INTERESTS - A damn good idea. However, Just a little too late to save the election day.
NOTE: Both of the above mentioned amends that council is now doing are great ideas and are a step in the right direction. It is our job as citizens of the city of Seattle to hold Seattle City Council to these new ideas and NOT let these amends fad in 2004! VERY IMPORTANT FOLKS.
One odd thing that did occure in the eleventh hour and worth mentioning, is that the Stranger, a weekly alternative publication, held a candidates Q and A at the University of Washington on October 29,2003. All I remember about this event was that Council President Peter Steinbrueck was holding a filthy bong and was laughing gleefully with council member Heidi Wills at his side. The next thing I knew, I was seeing council candidate, Tom Rasmussen, getting a lap dance from some cheap stripper. Oh, I almost forgot, Council member Heidy Wills was sitting on a picture of the face of council candidate Jean Godden. I started to wonder, did someone lace my bottled water? I struggled to find the door! Well the next day, I realized that the event and what took place was in fact not a nightmare while sleeping, but a nightmare in real life! The two hours waisted on this event could have been spent better ANYWHERE else.
So word of advice to the incoming council members - Be darn carful of the Stranger! and to the same old council members that were at the event -Shame! by now, you ought to know better about Strangers (and the special interests this publication pushes.)
The Election results became final on Nov.6,2003.
A few days later (Nov.10,2002), council revoted on a hot issue that got them in trouble in the first place -The strippergate scandle. OK, to be fair, more acurately said, the rezoning of Ricks Nightclub. Anyway, can you beleive it- just a few days after election with new council members not yet in, this vote took place and ended up being identical to the original vote. Considering the scandles, one should ask, Why in the hell take the vote on Nov 10,2002 and not after the new year with new council members? Was the vote really necessary at that time? I'm not sure. Seems like BAD JUDGEMENT.
Moving ahead to a NEW and IMPROVED Seattle City Council in 2004!
As mentiond, the Seattle City Council has already came up with some good Public Relations ideas and has implemented some. The ideas include more public comment on issues that effect all of us and impementing a better way of policing themselves (via the Quasi Report). A good start. However, not enough.
Also in 2004, you will find that most council members will be chairing different committees as a part of the biannual reorginization- This has been a long time comming! Some highlights, as I see it, will be the stepping down of Peter Steinbrueck as Council President to be replaced by council member Jan Drago. Council member Jim Compton will no longer be chairing the all important Public Safety Commitee- these are just a few of the changes taking place in city council. For more info go to www.seattle.gov/citycouncil
So in the new year, lets hold the new Council President Jan Drago, to her word: "...I want to restore respectibility and credibility to the business of the city" and I want to build a way in which the council can hear the opinions and problems of "A broader spectrum of the public" The public should "Be inclusive" -quotes from New Council President Jan Dago
I personally liked the quote from the neighborhood association president in the Strippergate scandle (sorry, dont have her name) She says "Health and Safety should always be first and foremost in government. FIRST AND FOREMOST"
In 2004 our job as Seattle citizens will be to hold council to its word. Wheather we agree or disagree and weather Seattle City Council agrees or disagrees with me- I want to be heard. You should want to be heard too. As it should be in a city government- All inclusive.
Wishing you and yours a Happy New Year!
PS
New members of Seattle City Council are; Jean Godden, Tom Rasmussen, and Tim Della. Welcome aboard!
We're represented by someone just as awful, Brian Baird (D). He too is a shrink, from the Vancouver, Washington area.
North or south, they're still Democrats who shoot from the lip first and never, never engage their brains.
I had fun with Jean one day. She was hosting a Q&A at the Starbucks on 4th and about James. I went in and asked her to sign I-200. The crowd fell silent, Jean slowly and quietly declined. So I said, "Do you believe everyone should be treated equally by the state? Do you think discrimination is wrong?" What a hoot. Losers.
Brad Cloven
Happily Ensconced In: Fargo, ND
Cousair, I vote with Rogator! As a Seattle resident I see absolutely no chance that we will see a swing to the right in 2004.
However, if any of the following happens, I'd be happy to buy the beers at a tripartite celebration at the Seattle watering hole of your choice:
1) Baghdad Jim McDermott is voted out.
2) Patty "I wear Nike Airheads" Murray is beaten by Nethercutt.
3) Seattle paves more than 1.5 miles of street in 2004 or builds 300 yards of new road or fills more than 200 potholes.
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