There has been news coverage recently about how as City Council President I won’t introduce legislation that would send a measure to establish public financing of political campaigns back again to the voters in November.* The Stranger has a story...
Category: Past Councilmembers
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UP #353: Is City Light CEO’s Raise Justified?
Does the city's highest paid employee deserve a 45 percent pay hike? Here, I explain my vote on the City Light CEO salary.
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A Thank You to the Seattle Department of Transportation
Thank You to the Seattle Department of Transportation for a job well done!
Select the picture below to read:
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Heads up – Distracted Pedestrians May Spell Danger
PEMCO Insurance will issue a news release tomorrow, June 18, based on the latest results from the PEMCO Insurance Northwest Poll. We learned that 88% of Northwest drivers say they see pedestrians who are distracted while crossing streets or walking on sidewalks: 90% say the distraction is talking on a cell phone, 86% say they see people […]
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Bravo Starbucks!
Earlier this week, Starbucks announced that they would help their “partners” (employees) complete their college education by covering tuition costs for those in their junior or senior years and partial tuition for freshmen and sophomores through Arizona State University’s online...
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Women in the Workplace: Bryant Corner Café and Bakery
This blog serves as the start of my summer series to highlight women in the workplace. And what better place to start than a recent farewell lunch to honor my intern: the most ambitious Kate Sibley of the University of Washington. We chose the Bryant Corner Café and Bakery, 3118 Northeast 65th Street, co-owned by Sara Swanson, as it remains a Bryant Neighborhood icon and is a scant two blocks from the home my folks bought years ago when our family arrived in Seattle.
With our intern Kate in front of the Bryant Corner Café and Bakery
In those days, the café was a drugstore. The … Continue Reading »
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Art in the Park
ARTSparks presents art & music in Pioneer Square's Occidental Park through September...
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City Council Hires New Central Staff Director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/12/2014
Council President Tim Burgess
City Council Hires New Central Staff Director
SEATTLE - Council President Tim Burgess announced today the hiring of Kirstan Arestad as Director of the Council's Central Staff team of policy analysts. Arestad brings more than 15 years of public policy, budget and management experience to the Council.
"Kirstan Arestad is a strong leader with extensive experience in government," said Burgess. "She has the right skillset and personality to provide sound policy advice to the Council. She will be an effective leader of a wonderful team of analysts."
Arestad comes from Governor Jay Inslee's Legislative and Policy Office. She served previously in the State Department of Transportation, in Governor Christine Gregoire's Office of Financial Management and as non-partisan staff for the State Senate.
"I'm excited to join the talented members of the Council's Central Staff team who do so much for this great city," said Arestad. "I will do my utmost to bring my past experiences and skills working with the State's legislature, agencies and governors to benefit the people of Seattle."
The Central Staff Director manages an 18-member policy unit, which provides policy analysis for all nine councilmembers and their aides, develops legislative initiatives and reviews legislative proposals from the Mayor, City Attorney and Municipal Court. The Director also oversees the finance function for the Legislative Department.
"I also want to thank Rebecca Herzfeld for stepping into the Interim Director role over these last six months," added Burgess. "Her steady leadership has been appreciated in a time of significant transition for Central Staff."
Over the past few months, the Central Staff has welcomed three new members who bring expertise to the unit. Erik Sund joined the team to focus on finance and budget matters having performed a similar role for the King County Council and the State Legislature. Calvin Chow crossed the street from the Seattle Department of Transportation and brings utilities and transportation knowledge. Mark Baird comes most recently from Snohomish County and has extensive experience in the public safety arena as both an analyst and practitioner.
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Keepie Uppie Time for World Cup
Judging from the energy I’ve noticed around Seattle Sounders games lately, I’m willing to bet there are a good number of Seattleites excited for this years’ World Cup that begins Thursday. It is Brazil’s second time hosting this momentous tournament (it first hosted in 1950) and is set to have 64 matches played in 12 cities across the country. Thirty two countries will compete this year, including the U.S.A.
If you’re happiest watching the most widely viewed sporting event in the world in the company of fellow fans, you’re in luck this year and need to look no farther than the Seattle Public Library. Whether you’re a fan of Brazil or Germany, the countries with the most World Cup appearances, … Continue Reading »
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Affordable Living on Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill Housing is accepting lease applications for affordable apartments in their 12th Ave Arts building on Capitol Hill. Units are reserved for those earning 60% or less of the area median income.