UPDATE 5:45pm 7/21/10

by Ralph Nichols

All four candidates for King County Council District 8 agreed at a July 20 forum that county government must become more efficient, more effective, and related better to suburban cities.

Beyond that, Tim Fahey, Joe McDermott, Shawn McEvoy and Diana Toledo offered varying approaches – some pronounced, others marginal – on how to improve the way the county operates.

Sponsored by The B-Town Blog, the forum was moderated by KIRO radio talk show host Dave Ross. A panel of Journalists, including this Reporter, along with T.M. Sell, Phd, Professor of Journalism at Highline Community College, and George Erb, Editor of the Puget Sound Business Journal. Questions were also offered up by several of the 35 or so attendees.

The four will square off in the Aug. 17 primary election, with the top two vote-getters facing each other in November.

Current District 8 County Councilwoman Jan Drago, who was appointed to replace Dow Constantine after he was elected King County Executive last year, is not seeking election to that office.

Fahey, a carpenter who resides in South Park, was motivated to run because of the closure of the South Park Bridge after years of failure at all levels of government to replace it.

McDermott, from West Seattle, has served in the State Legislature since 2001 and was appointed State Senator in 2007. He ran unopposed for the seat in 2008.

McEvoy is a city councilman and a former mayor of Normandy Park.

Toledo is an enforcement coordinator for King County, where she has worked for 15 years.

“King County has been a little dictatorial with the way they treat the suburban cities,” Burien City Councilwoman Kathy Keene noted when the forum opened to questions from the audience. “How will you work with us so we can do our job better or be a better partner with you?”

[Note: Candidate responses will be presented in the order they answered specific questions.]

Fahey – “King County does not know better for Burien what’s good for Burien. You guys can make decisions for yourself.”

McDermott – “I want to continue to work with the cities, not come and tell you what to know.” Former State Rep. and former Mercer Island City Councilman Fred Jarrett, now Constantine’s deputy executive, is helping the county build relationships with the cities.

McEvoy – Cities need to be an “equal partner … a regional partner” with the county, which needs to maintain regular contact with the cities.

Toledo – “There is no doubt that over the past decade or more, King County has exhibited an arrogance that turned the cities off by shoving things down their throat. There is evidence that this is shifting” and the county “needs to continue to be part of that shift.”

White Center resident Liz Giba wanted to know their positions on future annexation of the remaining North Highline unincorporated area by either Burien or Seattle:

McDermott – “The key is there is going to be a public vote” and the county should remain neutral. “It’s up to the public in the area to decide.”

McEvoy – The determining factor should be “what is best for the citizens of the region. White Center would be far worse off going to Seattle … Burien is the best fit for White Center.”

Toledo – “Burien is the best choice for the North Highline area. As a council member we should have an opinion and should voice that opinion.”

Fahey – “I fully and actively am in support of annexation by Burien.” North Highline “needs would be better served” in Burien than in Seattle,” and the area would remain free of the “yoke of Seattle’s business tax.”

Will they vote for or against the 0.02 percent sales tax increase to help fund public safety that the current county council approved on July 19 for placement on the November ballot?

Toledo – I will vote for public safety. I will vote for protecting our people. But I will not vote for it [the tax increase] … I’m particularly disturbed by the characterization of the sales tax [increase] as it’s for public safety.”

Fahey – “Certainly not a sales tax increase. We need to find where wasteful spending is going on.” A lot of King County deputies disagree with Sheriff Sue Rahr “that she can’t cut her budget” without cutting officers.”

McDermott – “I support it. It’s a small increase that will bring in $59 million in 2011 and $80 million in 2012. The choice is between that and cutting 60 deputies and 12 prosecutors.”

Artwork by Michael Owsley.

McEvoy – “I’m not a big fan of tax increases but I would say this is vital … it’s a temporary tax increase.”

What would they do with Metro Transit in light of a new study by the Washington Policy Center, which found that Metro got sales tax increases in 2000 and 2006, by 2009 had collected 20 percent more from those tax hikes than it needed, but had implemented only a third of the new bus service promised while diverting 60 percent of this revenue into bus driver salaries for average raises that are two times the rate of inflation.

Fahey – Metro bus service is “heavily subsidized” and commuters “should be willing to pay $5 per ride … as a union person, I always hate to see this come down to the union.” The popular ride-free-zone in downtown Seattle not only reduced Metro revenue but attracts “undesirable people” and creates “a law enforcement problem.”

McDermott – Initiative 695, which was approved in 1999 to limit car tab fees to $30, “is to blame” for a lot of revenue lost to Metro and other transit agencies. “We need to build relationships with other transit agencies” throughout the state … we need to hold people accountable. I want to be careful not to blame public employees but hold costs down.”

McEvoy – In addition to what the Washington Policy Center found, another Metro program to increase suburban bus service – the 40/40/20 plan – “has not been allocated as stated … it’s time for Seattle to pay its fair share” for bus service … we need to look at efficiencies and consolidation.”

Toledo – “This question highlights why I’m running for the county council … what does real reform, real accountability mean?” Although it’s hard to comment on the salary increases for drivers, the report shows a need “to cut some at the management level.”

What is the single most effective thing that can be done to help business in King County?

McDermott – “Provide all the things that people value,” including “transportation to work and from work” and getting supplies to businesses and products out.

McEvoy – “We need to foster an environment conducive to small business” and “initiate public/private partnerships to encourage small businesses.”

Toledo – “We need to cut red tape … and look at ways to create jobs that will bring in more taxes.”

Fahey – “Transportation and access to businesses obviously is paramount. Government cannot generate enough jobs.”

Citizens want all of the services government can provide for free. So what services should be cut?

McDermott – “The easy things to take out have been picked off a long time ago. We need to look at what government no longer needs to do.”

McEvoy – “We do need to examine central services. We need to make sure service levels match budget levels. There are probably some inefficiencies … no one thing is glaringly obvious … if junior programs get whacked, I’m sorry.”

Toledo – The county needs “to seek out more private partnerships … I have seen individuals collecting six-figure salaries, not because of what they know but who they know. We spend millions of dollars on audits and when the problems are not fixed a couple of years later, we ask for more audits … we need to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse.”

Fahey – “The cornerstone … is eliminating the [county] Department of Transportation … except to analyze roads and prioritize projects. Let the county fund projects … [and] replace all sercie work with union low-bid contracts.”

Is it the role of local government or the private sector to develop jobs?

Fahey – “The highest priority of elected officials is concern about jobs … everything said about unemployment is true – it’s dispiriting and sags your initiative … this government needs to get out of the way and make it easier for business to do business here … and hire people.” Examples of interference by government are cumbersome permitting and business licensing processes.

McDermott – “The public sector definitely has a strong role to play in job creation.” Ways to do this include Sound Transit development, building a new South Park Bridge, and apprenticeship programs.

McEvoy – It is “imperative for local government to be involved in economic development. It is in King County’s interest to build a strong economy” through infrastructure that helps “small and disadvantaged businesses” and encouraging “a quality of life that builds a strong workforce.”

Toledo – With a $60 million [county] budget shortfall, we need to look at ways to help get us out. Unless the sales tax and property tax [revenues] go up, the gap will increase.” Red tape and overregulation are “detrimental … we definitely need to provide for public safety … but when it goes too far it impedes economic activity.”

Instead of increasing taxes to cover his state’s budget shortfall, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is taking on public employee unions to get them to renegotiate contracts and reduce pay raises and benefit packages. Should King County adopt this approach?

Toledo – We can find money by cutting wasteful spending. Our priorities are out of what in King County? Why cut sheriff’s deputies when there are other priorities?”

Fahey – “I admire Gov. Christie. I definitely would like to see contracts re-examined. I don’t think it’s unreasonable for people in government service for taxpayers to hold them to a different standard” including heavy cuts in middle management that would save King County “tons of money.”

McDermott – “The perception that public employees have not paid a price is in error … over 10,000 state employees were laid off” in the last two-year budget cycle. “It’s not the council’s role to unilaterally reopen union contracts” already approved.

McEvoy – “People want more government for their money, not more money for government. But it’s not the council’s place to reopen contracts. I agree that we need to cut mid-management.”

Here’s a Photo Slideshow of the forum as shot by Michael Brunk:

Click to Play Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

AUDIO: Here’s an MP3 of the raw audio from last night’s forum. Please note that it is incomplete, only because of some minor technical glitches that stopped the recorder; however, it contains one-hour and 36-minutes of audio of the event:

[display_podcast]

We are pleased to remind our readers of our next Candidates Forum, featuring the contenders vying for Dow Constantine’s former seat on the King County Council.

It will be this Tuesday, July 20, from 7pm to 8:45pm at the Highline School District’s E.R.A.C. Building, 15675 Ambaum Blvd. S.W. in south Burien, across the street from Azteca Restaurant and just north of Hi-Line Lanes.

Moderator for the evening will be longtime local reporter and radio talk show host Dave Ross. Ross’s show airs 9am to noon Monday through Friday on 97.3 KIRO-FM.

All four candidates for the seat have been invited and all four have agreed to attend.

They are:

• Diana Toledo, former King County employee.
• Shawn McEvoy, former Normandy Park mayor and current Normandy Park city council member.
• Joe McDermott, current 34th district state senator.
• Tim Fahey, professional carpenter and South Park resident.

The forum format is to have area journalists ask questions for the first 45 minutes or so, followed by questions from the public. There is no admission charge and anyone and everyone is welcome to attend.

The 8th District council seat everyone is duking it out for is currently held by Jan Drago. Drago is not running for election.

The primary is August 17. Mail-in ballots will be sent to voters later this month. The two candidates garnering the most votes advance to the general election in November.

by Ralph Nichols

Many of us enjoy the promotional jingle for Emerald Downs: “Nobody’s gonna slow me down. Oh no, oh no, I gotta keep on moving….” But instead of horses, it easily could describe Burien City Councilmember Sue Blazak this summer.

Not long after filing for election to a second term on the city council in late May, Blazak discovered what every woman fears – a lump in her breast, found during a self-exam. She had a mastectomy on June 18. (“I won’t say which side,” she quips. “I think it’s more interesting for people to wonder.”)

While all tests since then indicate that she is now cancer free, Blazak will begin chemotherapy soon. This is standard medical procedure since, during surgery, it was discovered that cancer had spread to her lymph nodes. She won’t have to undergo radiation treatment.

Learning that she had cancer “was a shock,” Blazak told the B-Town Blog recently. “I think that I had some other things going on that may have lowered my immune system. My odds might have gone up. And I turned 50 this year. But it was unexpected. I have no family history of this.”

Despite the stunning news, Blazak didn’t lapse into self-denial and promptly sought medical care. “I was due for a mammogram anyway. And I want to encourage other women to have mammograms and do self-examinations,” she stressed. “They caught (mine) early and I feel lucky.

“I discovered that I have a lot of company. It’s happening to a lot of women, and there’s a very good support system” for those with breast cancer.

Despite the physical challenges that lay ahead, Blazak was determined even before surgery not to let this slow her down. She was going to keep on going – to beat breast cancer, and to continue running for re-election.

And one of the first persons to express his sympathy and best wishes was former Councilman Jack Block Jr., who will run against Blazak in the only contested race in Burien this November.

“I want to let people know,” Blazak added, “that for the next few months I will not be able to keep up the pace that I did the last campaign. Fatigue (from both surgery and chemo) is a problem and I understand that. I need to recuperate and won’t have the same energy that I had four years ago.

“Other than fatigue, I’m feeling fine now. I’m doing some physical therapy and walking every day. And I’m taking no more pain pills. I’m clearheaded again. I’m thrilled!”

Current Burien's City Councilmembers pose for their official portrait. Sue Blazak is furthest on the right, seated.

While Blazak needs time for rest and rehabilitation now, “I won’t slow down in the long run,” she promises. “I am hoping to be, I expect to be back up by September. I’ll give myself couple of months to relax first. I have a lot of people volunteering to help me.”

During her recuperation, she plans to sit down with friends “and get better organized.” They will help her get campaign yard signs out, delegate other campaign chores, and plan for the last couple months of her bid for re-election. Already she’s received the endorsement of the Women’s Political Caucus.”

Blazak has a lot she still wants to accomplish as a councilwoman. Looking ahead, she said the impetus begun “with the planning and completing of projects in Town Square needs to keep going. Burien has an excellent reputation with planning and completing projects….

“Burien and South King County need to have a stronger voice with planning in our region. Seattle has size, Bellevue has money, and I feel strongly that we need to have a voice, to be at the table when decisions are made.

“We need to be more involved,” she continued, pointing to her experience on the South County Transportation Board and on the Transportation Policy Board of the Puget Sound Regional Council, “where I’ve strongly advocated for Burien and South King County…. That’s one of the things that I feel I do well.”

Blazak also wants to continue working for a bicycle/pedestrian transportation plan for Burien, which may include putting a proposed Transportation Benefits District on the ballot this fall to fund that plan (read more on the proposed TBD here).

In addition, she supports a proposed new Community/Senior Center for Burien, which is on hold because of the economy, and promotes Burien as a “wellness center” that would encourage both improved health care and the entry of students into the educational pipeline for good careers in health care.

The public is invited to come and hear all 8 candidates speak:

• Dow Constantine
• Fred Jarrett
• Ross Hunter
• Susan Hutchison
• Larry Phillips
• Goodspaceguy
• Stan Lippmann

Lunch will be $13.00.

Please RSVP to 206-248-0334.