Port of Seattle
Commissioner No. 1: Norman Z. Sigler
Commissioner No. 3: Hamdi Mohamed
Commissioner No. 4: Toshiko Hasegawa
As you know, I watch the Port pretty closely because, in many ways, it is the most important government in our region. My recommendations are based on Des Moines. In general, you want to keep incumbent Commissioners if they seem sympathetic because, frankly, the job is ridonculously complex (why it’s a part time position is beyond me) and it takes years to learn how to be effective.
But we are at a turning point now that the public is not seeing. With COVID-19, the Port had a real chance to think hard about making a permanent shift in fighting pollution by thinking in terms of true demand. Many people were not flying. And yet? The economy kept on spinning. That was the moment to re-think the mission. But instead? They decided to focus on returning to business as usual with all deliberate speed.
The incumbents will resent that. And they have done some good things. But frankly, after several years of genuine progress, some Commissioners are doubling down on greenwashing and others are backing the current Des Moines administration with more promises of ‘economic development’ instead of dealing with the noise and pollution. We have to make sincere attempts to address the core problem of Sea-Tac Airport: too many flights.
There is a moment in the career of every Port Commissioner where the sympathetic tone shifts into “flights are inevitable“–which is code for “economic growth at all costs.” Sorry. The job should be managing traffic, not ginning it up. And we should keep working to identify Port candidates who actually believe that.
King County
Charter Amendment No. 1: Yes
Charter Amendment No. 2: Yes
Council District No. 5: Dave Upthegrove
Dow has had twelve years. The economic prosperity of King County has been unprecedented. But if you look at the amount of that wealth that actually returns to Des Moines? Pathetic. And the inequity is only getting worse. Joe has campaigned on heart. But I wish he had campaigned more on skills, because he has them for sure and you’ll be able to trust his management.
First off, I’ve met with Shukri–and I believe she has a bright future. But as with the Port, people don’t really get just how ginormous King County is–as large as some States. As with the Port, you keep experience unless there’s a really good reason not to. And there isn’t. Dave Upthegrove has a proven track record of ‘bringing home the bacon’ on a lot of stuff that should get more notice. The irony is that Dave gets it from both ends of the spectrum now. But truly? He has bent over backwards to try to represent everyone and he is the best fit for Des Moines right now–which is far more centrist than much of the rest of District #5. Room for improvement? For sure. Ironically, he hasn’t been nearly as aggressive on aviation issues as some of his colleagues. But that can be fixed. 🙂 His combination of experience, skills and knowledge of the area deserves your vote.
Des Moines City Council
Position No. 1: write-in
Position No. 5: write-in
Normally an endorsement says nice things about the person you’re endorsing. 😀
I wanted to make a point here: Despite what anyone thinks, I started this job with a clean slate and no long term ‘replacement project’. If my current colleagues had been willing to communicate, cooperate and compromise, I would be endorsing them right now. Straight up. They haven’t, so I’m not.
Des Moines needs councilmembers who are willing to communicate, cooperate and compromise. I need to keep making the point that transparency and oversight is the way forward. I don’t expect my colleagues to vote with me every time. But it would be better for the City if they were willing to compromise some of the time. And I do expect a fair process all the time.
If the next Council works like that? Keep those people. If not? Keep trying until we get it right.
Communicate. Cooperate. Compromise. It’s not some high-falutin’ ideal. It’s how one navigates any successful operation (including your marriage, I might add. 😀 )
Highline School District No. 401
Proposition No. 1: No
Director No. 2: Jennifer Fichamba
For decades I have voted, almost reflexively, for Highline Schools–far past my personal interest as a parent. Quality schools are a must for any successful City. Unfortunately, I feel like Highline Schools is no longer listening. As a taxpayer, you have very few ways to redirect HSD if you see problems. Saying ‘no’ to what is essentially, retaining an existing levy is like using a sledgehammer when a ball peen hammer should be all that is necessary. But that is where I’m at. HSD has received over $4,000 per pupil in ARPA Stimulus money and has shown no clear plan yet on how it will be allocated. All I can see are Des Moines schools, especially those at the southern end of town getting less attention than the northern end of the district. And you should be sick of it. The ending of the Design/Engineering program at Pacific Middle School was, for me, the last straw.
HSD is going through a big shakeup now. My hope is that, when this levy fails, the message will not be misunderstood. This is not about some generalised ‘anti-tax’ sentiment. Nobody wants to support HSD more than Des Moines. But it’s time to refocus.
I saw Ms. Fichamba speak at the North Hill Community Club Candidate Forum and was impressed.
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