Thursday, February 26, 2009

King County's Non-Partisan Government Fails its First Test

Please Act Now! Read Dwight's essay below and e-mail the following five County Council members with the simple message:

"Dear Councilmember, We need a strong County Executive to succeed Ron Sims. I urge you to appoint a strong Democrat to be our next County Executive."

Dow Constantine dow.constantine@kingcounty.gov
Bob Ferguson bob.ferguson@kingcounty.gov
Larry Gossett larry.gossett@kingcounty.gov
Julia Patterson julia.patterson@kingcounty.gov
Larry Phillips larry.phillips@kingcounty.gov



King County's Non-Partisan Government Fails its First Test
by Dwight Pelz
Chair, Washington State Democratic Party

Last year a group of "political reformers" (financed by Republican business leaders) successfully passed a measure making county government non-partisan. Today that reform is just three months old, but already poised to fail its first major test. Ron Sims has just completed 12 magnificent years of service as our County Executive and has announced that he will leave to join the Obama Administration. Rather than pick a strong leader to succeed Ron, there is talk of choosing a "caretaker."

Succession of office is an important test of our democracy. When a government official resigns or passes away, provisions are made for that position to be filled and for government to continue.

For partisan offices, state law assigns the political parties a role which has allowed vacancies to be filled in an orderly, timely, and predictable fashion. The Precinct Committee Officers (PCOs) from the affected jurisdiction meet and choose three member of the party of the departed official, and forward that list to the County Council or County Commissioners, who pick one person.

Last month I traveled to Walla Walla to chair the meeting at which the PCOs convened to fill the vacancy left by the passing of Bill Grant. The PCOs designated three Democrats as suitable replacements, and forwarded that list to the 12 County Commissioners from the four counties in the 16th Legislative District. On February 21st Laura Grant-Herriott, Bill Grant's daughter, was chosen for the position and immediately sworn in.

A similar meeting took place 12 years ago when the PCOs met at the gym of Nathan Hale High School to designate a list of three Democrats to fill the last year of the term of then-County Executive Gary Locke, who was departing to be Governor. On that day, an impassioned Ron Sims stood up and gave a compelling speech about the challenges facing King County - and his ability as a leader to meet them. On that day no one called for a "caretaker" or a "placeholder." Ron was the choice of the PCOs and served for 10 months as the appointed Executive, then was elected to the post three times

The PCOs and the Democratic Party will play no role in 2009 in filling this most recent vacancy. By state law governing vacancies in a non-partisan office, the nine members of the King County Council are charged with the responsibility of naming the next County Executive. But with some of the Council members vying for the job themselves, the Council appears unable to assemble five votes for a strong successor.

Today, instead of the terms "executive" and "leader," we hear talk of choosing a "caretaker" or a "placeholder." We hear cliches about "letting the voters decide the next County Executive, not the Council members." This is not the time for a placeholder. This is the time for the nine members of the King County Council to provide leadership. They need to take a hard vote and appoint a leader, not a caretaker.

King County faces enormous challenges. The County's economic model was in tatters before this current economic crisis began. 2009 will require real leadership in the Executive's office to maintain our courts, our public defenders and prosecuting attorneys, our jails, the Sheriff's office, environmental protection, and basic services.

Voters who chose to make the County government non-partisan were promised that government would work better because party loyalties disrupt decision-making. What we see instead is this decision being postponed because of personalities, not parties.

Political parties make our democracy function better. Congress could not make basic decisions without majority and minority caucuses. Our State Legislature would never adjourn on time without the discipline and structure provided by the parties. It is time to hold the refomers accountable for their reform and ask whether non-partisan government has improved or hindered decision making in King County?

In the past the role of the PCOs and the parties allowed us to fill the vacancy in the County Executive position with a strong leader. The five Democrats on the County Council can continue that tradition by appointing a strong Democrat as our next County Executive.

Monday, February 2, 2009

President Obama Nominates Ron Sims

Dear Chad,

President Barack Obama today announced his intent to nominate me as the next Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. If confirmed by the United States Senate, I will serve the President.

I want to thank you for the support and encouragement you have given me all these years. I would not have been able to serve in an elected capacity without your help. There are no words to express my heartfelt gratitude for your contributions of time and money; no measure of my appreciation for your passion and commitment to work with me on issues that affect our quality of life.

When President Obama was elected, I said to you:

"The Obama administration will mark the beginning of an historic opportunity. We must not fail to seize the moment. This is our time to realign our economy back in favor of working people; to act on climate change by restoring science to its proper role in informing our decisions; to build inclusive communities with great schools; provide everyone with decent housing and health care; and, to achieve racial equality."

I sincerely believed I would be tackling these challenges at the regional level when I announced my intention to seek reelection as County Executive. Little did I imagine that I would be called upon by the President to join him on this historic journey. I am so honored. If confirmed, I will give the President, his administration, and our country my very best. I am eager to promote what we have done here in King County, particularly in helping other metropolitan centers adapt to climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and build healthy communities that provide economic opportunities for all.

Again, let me thank you for your unyielding support. Leaving King County government will be very difficult, but I look forward to the opportunity to serve our President and our great country.


All the best,

Ron Sims
King County Executive



STATEMENT OF RON SIMS REGARDING NOMINATION TO BECOME DEPUTY SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT February 2, 2009

President Barack Obama today announced his intent to nominate me as the next Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. I thank the President for this honor. I am deeply grateful and overwhelmed by his trust and confidence in me.

I also want to thank Secretary Shaun Donovan for his support. If confirmed by the United States Senate, I will serve the President and give his administration and our country my very best.