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Index | Next Article | Previous Article
Municipal New & Noteworthy
HELP MAKE BETTER GOVERNMENT IN 2004
Good government doesn’t just happen. It takes the ongoing vigilance and the dedication of an involved citizenry. This summer you can play a major role in making good government happen. Become a Municipal League volunteer and evaluate candidates for the state legislature, judicial offices and other races. Each year for the past 93 years, volunteers for the Municipal League of King County have rated candidates for public office according to four criteria: Involvement, Character, Effectiveness, and Knowledge. This is in contrast to other organizations, who rate or endorse based on political party, platform or position on issues. The League rates only to determine fitness for office. We neither endorse nor compare candidates to one another. This year five committees will evaluate candidates throughout King County. Call the Municipal League offices at 206-622-8333 or visit our website at www.munileague.org for an application or for more information. If anyone you know may be interested in participating, please pass this on. We encourage everyone to apply! High quality and unbiased ratings depend on having people with diverse backgrounds and views participate as volunteers. For further information about the Candidate Evaluation program and other Municipal League activities, call (206) 622-8333.
The Regional Governance Project The Municipal League, the Discovery Institute, and the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington are embarking on a project that will dramatically alter the way we view regional government—and you are invited to be a part of this monumental change. To help address our region-wide issues like transportation, economic development, and resource and growth management, these groups formed the Regional Governance Project, an organized effort to identify and fulfill the vision of effective government within and throughout our region. The project’s vision is for all of Puget Sound – Snohomish, Pierce, Kitsap and King Counties – to be effectively governed on both a regional and local level. The project will examine the different facets of regional government, such as sufficient jurisdictional reach, taxing authority, jurisdictional overlap, optimized efficiency, elected leadership, and accountability. For more information about this event, please contact Tom Albro at 206-930-4004.
League Elections The results of the fall election are in, and we are pleased to announce that our membership has elected five new and two returning trustees. Please welcome Vaughnetta J. Barton, Paul B. Demitriades, Wendy Morgan, R. Todd Slind, and Rich White as new trustees in the class of 2004. We are also pleased that Jeff Ballaine and Philip Thompson are returning for another three-year term. In January 2004, the board was presented with two additional trustees for consideration: Rashelle Tanner and Stephanie Cirkovich. And due to an oversight, our chair, Put Barber, was mistakenly left off the ballot as a returning trustee. All three were unanimously approved by the board of trustees. At the January meeting, the board also elected this year’s officers: Put Barber will serve as Muni League Chair for another year, working alongside Vice-Chair Rita Brogan, Secretary Beth Arman, and Treasurer Sandra Driscoll.
TV League The Muni League Forum debuted on King County Civic Television (CTV) with “A Crystal Ball on 2004,” predictions on local civic affairs from historian Walt Crowley and Deb Eddy of the Suburban Cities Association. This month’s show is titled “The Regional Neighborhood,” an exploration of the governance challenges facing the Puget Sound region with Bellevue Mayor Connie Marshall and James Veseley of The Seattle Times. Hosted by Muni League Vice-Chair Rita Brogan, the Muni League Forum can be seen on Channel 22 throughout most areas of King County and on Channel 72 or 80 in Downtown Seattle and lower Queen Anne. The show can also be accessed via the Municipal League website, www.munileague.org, or at www.metrokc.gov/ctv.
Moldavians Bowled Over On March 4, former Municipal League Trustee Lonnie Lusardo represented the League to 12 mayors from municipalities in Moldova. In addition to getting a review of the League’s most recent studies, the Moldavians learned about our candidate evaluation process and commitment to civic issues. The mayors were fascinated to hear that members of all political parties – many with opposing points of view – worked together effectively. They were also surprised to learn that the League operates with no paid staff, a very low budget, and volunteers who make a serious time commitment. While the majority of their questions pertained to the candidate evaluation process, the Moldavians were impressed by the time commitment League members invest across all committees. The group was interested in how the League’s studies were able to include professional input with no paid consultants and to what extent those studies received public interest and support. The League’s recent City Light study provided a strong example of how non-paid professional, legal and political voices guided the study’s final recommendations that were later cited in numerous media reports–ultimately leading to a change of leadership at the utility. By underscoring the League’s attention to detail and accuracy in producing reports, the mayors understood that the public value of the League is based on our reputation as an objective, nonpartisan source of public scrutiny.
Where Would We Be Without Us? Thank you to all the new and renewing members who are supporting the efforts of the Municipal League. We appreciate your commitment to empowered citizens and informed choices. Time and time again, we are reminded of how important the Municipal League is to our region. The League’s in-depth studies of civic issues, candidate evaluations, recognition of outstanding civic contributions, and lively debate about important issues have been part of our region’s social and political fabric for almost 100 years. To continue this important work, we need your support. Have you considered gifting a friend, a family member, a coworker, or a business associate with a League membership? For first-time memberships from your referral, you will receive a holographic/lenticular bookmark as a small token of our appreciation. For more information, please call the League office at 206-682-6333 and leave a message on the Membership line; a membership committee member will return your call promptly. You can also visit our website at www.munileague.org to renew your own membership. Give the gift of good government!
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