With the first quarter of 2013 now in our rear-view, here is a report on some of the things I have been working on. City Light and Energy Efficiency: Our efforts to help the poorest Seattleites with their energy bills—through bill reduction, energy efficiency work in their homes, or both—have really ramped up. We have […]
Month: April 2013
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Action Summary, Monday 4/1/2013
The following is a summation of Council actions at today’s 2 p.m. Full Council meeting No Absences. FULL COUNCIL: 1. Council Bill 117726 (PDF Version) PASSED AS AMENDED (9 – 0) Authorizing the Director of Seattle Public Utilities to enter into contracts with Lenz Enterprises, Inc. and Pacif iClean, LLC to provide organics processing [...]
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Seattle City Council statement on the passing of former Councilmember Cheryl Chow
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/1/2013
Council President Sally J. Clark
Seattle City Council statement on the passing of former Councilmember Cheryl Chow
Seattle -- The Seattle City Council issued the following statement on the passing of former Councilmember Cheryl Chow:
"As a teacher, principal, coach, City Councilmember and School Board member the Honorable Cheryl Chow worked tirelessly to improve the lives of children and families in Seattle. As a Seattle City Councilmember from 1990-1997 Cheryl pushed hard for and won policies, programs and budgets that made Seattle a better place for the children she regarded as Seattle's future. She leaves a lasting legacy when it comes to youth enrichment programs, the city's rich network of community centers, and guided the transformation of the Coliseum into Key Arena. Cheryl served with intelligence, compassion and sharp wit.
While colleagues (and sports opponents) knew her as a strong-willed competitor, Cheryl brought strong-willed competition to a whole new level in her fight against cancer. In her final role as a public advocate Cheryl's coming out made her a hero to many who never knew her work as a councilmember. Cheryl's work as an advocate and her positive, competitive presence will be missed."
The Seattle City Council honored Cheryl Chow with a proclamation on September 17, 2012, declaring "Cheryl Chow Day" in Seattle. The full text of the proclamation can be viewed here.
A Seattle Channel tribute to Cheryl Chow can be viewed here.
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Seven remaining Councilmembers announce candidacy for Mayor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/1/2013
Councilmember Richard Conlin
Council President Sally J. Clark
Councilmember Sally Bagshaw
Councilmember Jean Godden
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Mike O'Brien
Councilmember Tom Rasmussen
Seven remaining Councilmembers announce candidacy for Mayor
Will run as collective
Seattle -- The seven Councilmembers who are not already in the race for Mayor today announced that they will pioneer a new model for Seattle governance by running for Mayor as a collective. The seven will appear on the ballot as a single name, "O'Bagcloddenconrasita," reflecting their collegial approach to the position.
"Experience teaches us that seven heads are better than one," said the group speaking in unison. "Seven of nine is an excellent model for decision-making," they commented, making the obligatory geeky Star Trek allusion.
"This way the people of Seattle will know that there will always be a Mayor on the job," O'Bagcloddenconrasita added. "By taking shifts, we can cover the Mayor's office 24-7. And the Mayor can lobby in Olympia, cut a ribbon in West Seattle, and hold a town meeting in Ballard, all at the same time."
Commenting on the legality of the proposed candidacy, City Attorney Pete Holmes was sanguine about the outcome of any possible court challenge. "Nothing in the City Charter prevents innovative approaches to governance," Holmes added. "Furthermore, this will make it much easier to get a Mayoral signature on City documents."
The group noted that the departure of seven Councilmembers simultaneously would make it difficult to do business and fill the seven vacancies on the Council, since there would not be a quorum remaining. However, the group agreed that this could easily be resolved by the use of serial resignations spaced one week apart between the election and taking office on January 1. That way, each week eight Councilmembers could conduct business and appoint someone to the vacant seat. By the end of December, seven new Councilmembers would be seated and join Mayor O'Bagcloddenconrasita in governing the City.