Eight applicants for city council, read the applications

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Eight applicants for city council, read the applications

Submitted by emmettoconnell on Sat, 12/15/2007 - 2:40pm.

Olympia city council

I haven't had much time to look through these council applications, but tell you what. There aren't any city council meetings between now and the end of the year, so I'll use the time I would have used to write about those and I'll write about these folks.

Here is a rundown of the process:

Monday, January 7, 2008 - Initial interviews in public meeting. Time and location to be announced.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008 - Final interviews during the Olympia City Council's regular business meeting. Interviews are expected to start about 8:00 p.m. They will be televised live on Thurston Community Television (TCTV) Olympia Cable Channel 3, and on the City Council meeting video streaming. The Council may discuss applicant qualifications in closed session; then reconvene in open meeting for deliberation and preliminary selection of an appointee; or the Council may choose to conduct deliberations and make the selection on another date.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008 - Appointment of new Councilmember during the Olympia City Council's regular business meeting that starts at 7:00 p.m.

I've heard about half of the eight and have some opinions about them just off the bat.

Jim Boyde is the former manager at the Capital Mall, so if you like the touches they've added over there, you'll just love him on the council. Have to give him credit for padding his local involvement resume since 2001 when Matt Green walked all over him for a city council seat.

Amy Tousley lost to Craig Ottaveli and Matt Green in the primary election, but her resume in local planning and government is so freaking long, it would be hard for the council not to seriously consider her. Or, to hire her in the planning department.

Danielle Westbrook is probably the dark horse (total disclosure, I'm a member of the Thurston Young Dems, along with Danielle). She was a big part of the parks and sidewalks campaign a few years ago and from her answers in the application, has an a view of an experienced observer of the city's process.

Here are the rest of the applications.
Joan Machlis
James Reddick
Ann Varpness
Karen Rogers
Karen Veldheer

emmettoconnell's blog
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Losers

Submitted by Matthew Green on Sat, 12/15/2007 - 2:56pm.

As Emmett notes, two of these applicants already ran for city council and lost to me. In other words, the voters of Olympia said no. So I am appalled that they have such little respect for the voters that they would try to sneak on to the council through the back door.

(And yes, I lost too. That's why I'm not applying.)

Matthew Green

Perfect candidate?

Submitted by emmettoconnell on Sat, 12/15/2007 - 3:06pm.

So, as a former city councilmember, what qualities would you look for in a replacement councilmember?

Qualities I would look for in a council appointee

Submitted by Matthew Green on Sun, 12/16/2007 - 12:20am.

(Besides not having run and lost.)

1. Having taken on volunteer leadership positions in the community, for example in a neighborhood association, or on a city advisory committee, or with a local nonprofit group, or as a community activist. And I'm not talking about being just a member of some organization, or volunteering now and then. I would look for real leadership.

2. Bringing a perspective other than what is already well represented on the council. I don't mean a radically different political perspective, or very liberal or conservative views. I mean having a background and experiences that are different. Some backgrounds missing from the council (or only present in very small amounts) are: neighborhood leaders; people involved in downtown other than through owning a business; anyone connected to the arts or cultural scene; anyone who took part in local issues for more than about 8-10 years at most (and thus has a longer memory); and anyone with a background in community activism (being a Democratic PCO doesn't count).

Unfortunately, based on my knowledge of the council and on what they have said publicly, I don't think they will look for these qualities. I predict they will pick someone safe, who they know well, who they expect to join in with the majority almost every time, and who generally won't rock the boat.

Huh? Appalled?

Submitted by Ehver Green on Sat, 12/15/2007 - 3:07pm.

So what if they lost. It's an open application. Open to anybody. The appointment process has yielded council members who had lost in previous council elections. Why just give up?

I would rather our council choose the best candidate, regardless of previous outcomes. I actually expected the 3 candidates from this past election to step forward. I'd rather have Green or Hogan than any of the current candidates (Tousley is up there as well).

Matthew, if it is not too late, I wish that you'd reconsider.

Matt

Submitted by wilson on Sat, 12/15/2007 - 3:48pm.

Look at it this way. They didn't say no to the person as far as serving on the council in the future. They just chose the person that was running against them.

Whoa.....Matthew....

Submitted by Anonymously Larry on Sat, 12/15/2007 - 5:35pm.

You just exercised intellectual honesty!

Run for a county office and I'll work your campaign. Maybe we just need to educate the voters a bit more about the issue with Hawkins so that you don't end up being the goat on that one too many more times. (I think you got screwed in the media about that subject, but some would tell you that I have a resentment with The Olympian. I like to think that I'm critical because I worked in newspapers in a day when you wouldn't think of doing a hatchet job like I see done in today's newspapering)

Seriously Matthew, that was a great comment.

Right

Submitted by Norm on Sat, 12/15/2007 - 10:47pm.

Because people who lose office never re-run or decide to hold a different office even though their voters said, "No." initially. It doesn't bother me, if they are well qualified, more power to them. I'm glad you find it appalling though.

It's about the voters.

Submitted by Matthew Green on Sun, 12/16/2007 - 12:07am.

If a losing candidate wants to run again, fine. If they win support from the voters, good for them.

But for the voters to make a decision, and then have that decision overturned by four councilmembers, is anti-democratic.

Well that's awfully noble of

Submitted by Norm on Sun, 12/16/2007 - 2:57pm.

Well that's awfully noble of you. As far as I'm concerned the rules were thrown out the window the second that some kind of "special" election wasn't held. More power to them for applying.

I agree with Norm

Submitted by Krull on Mon, 12/17/2007 - 10:56am.

on this one.

"We Israelis sacrifice ourselves for our continued existence, our enemies sacrifice themselves for our destruction."--Unknown--

Jim Boyde (pdf file) is the

Submitted by The Fire Inside on Sat, 12/15/2007 - 4:38pm.

Jim Boyde (pdf file) is the former manager at the Capital Mall, so if you like the touches they've added over there, you'll just love him on the council.

When did he stop being the manager? Because the last time I went to the Capital Mall, I was amazed. If he had anything to do with how the mall is currently structured, I'd say he's done a pretty good job.

Rather than just chugging along and being content as the only game in town, Capital Mall really put itself together nicely over the last two years.

I suppose the biggest argument against is that when you're there you could just as easily be in Southern California.

I don't like the mall,

Submitted by Rob Richards on Sat, 12/15/2007 - 5:02pm.

but Jim Boyde is an interesting person.

I disagree with Emmett

Submitted by Rob Richards on Sat, 12/15/2007 - 5:00pm.

Westbrook is one of the front runners from my perspective. She was integral in the campaigns of Messmer, Hyer, and somebody this year I can't remember off the top of my head who. So she's known and respected amongst all of the council members. She's also been active in the community for years. I think she might be THE front runner, but definitely not the dark horse.

I notice Jean-Marie Thomas is not on the list, that means she knew she didn't have the four votes she needed.

Jim Boyd is an interesting name to see as an applicant, I think this may come down to him and Westbrook.

maybe not so much a dark horse

Submitted by emmettoconnell on Sat, 12/15/2007 - 5:43pm.

But, rather my favorite. I usually assume my opinion isn't shared, but Westbrook would be my favorite, mostly because I know her more than the other candidates. And, for the same reason as Rob stated above.

Westbrook

Submitted by Rob Richards on Sat, 12/15/2007 - 5:50pm.

worked on Strub's campaign this year.

Support for tent city and social programs

Submitted by Quixotic on Sat, 12/15/2007 - 7:00pm.

Does anyone know if any of these candidates are supportive of Camp Quixote and/or exploring the issues of housing for low-income residents of our City? Also, is there a process in place to contact council members with thoughts on the appointment?

Everybody supports the camp

Submitted by Rob Richards on Sat, 12/15/2007 - 11:51pm.

Everybody supports the camp now, it works. Even the people who felt, "poked in the eye" by it at the beginning support it now.

That doesn't mean they are willing to take an honest look at housing issues however, and we should keep on them about it.

If you have questions or input, you should send it to the city council's email address. It would be best to wait until after the newly elected members are sworn in though as they will be tasked with hiring the new council member to fill the vacancy.

Congrats

Submitted by paisleyboxers on Sun, 12/16/2007 - 12:30am.

To Rob, all the interns and volunteers and the guy who ran the advocacy center (me) while the camp got started.

It is obviously a moment to look back on the whole situation and recognize everyone who did such a hard job getting the camp started.. and made all those sacrifices to continue helping it run.

Of course no one could get such success without all the help of those inhabiting the camp.

Everyone who gave effort helped set a standard.. and thats amazing!

Friendblog: None are known to exist since bloggers don't have friends.

A question for Emmett

Submitted by Rob Richards on Sun, 12/16/2007 - 12:46am.

I'm not sure of your age, but Danielle is 31. At what age does a person stop being considered a "young" Democrat?

As opposed to OLD Democrat?

Submitted by Phil Owen on Sun, 12/16/2007 - 12:51am.

I dunno about you, Rob, but I'm not gonna stop calling myself young until I'm 80. And then I think I'll change it to "young and strapping".

The Canaanite's Call

well,

Submitted by Rob Richards on Sun, 12/16/2007 - 12:58am.

I'm just asking because I thought the "Young Democrats/Republicans" were college age.

I'm 31 too

Submitted by emmettoconnell on Sun, 12/16/2007 - 7:12am.

The actual cut off age is 35. Though I'm technically still a YD member, I've been much more active in the no age qualifier Dems for the last few years.

thanks

Submitted by Rob Richards on Sun, 12/16/2007 - 11:41am.

Sounds like a minors/majors kind of thing.

I'm probably not qualified

Submitted by Phil Owen on Sun, 12/16/2007 - 2:17pm.

I'm probably not qualified to speak about this, but from what I've heard it's less of a minors/majors thing than it is an attempt at infusing youthful energy into an older and sometimes rigid party. Like a bloc or wing of the party.

The Canaanite's Call

Sounds like you're a "young"

Submitted by Merwyn Haskett on Mon, 12/17/2007 - 7:58am.

Sounds like you're a "young" Democrat until you're old enough to be President.

Please give me a second grace. Please give me a second face. I've fallen far down, the first time around, now I just sit on the ground in your way.
Nick Drake

Joan Machlis

Submitted by groovyyaya on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 11:29pm.

Newbie here, but long time lurker compelled to post - and I have to disclose that I know Joan (albeit on an "acquaintance" level - not sure if she would know me on sight), and I don't know the other candidates on any level. However, after reading her application, I must say she is a truly diverse candidate in terms of experience - a small business owner, has worked at the state level, concerned/aware of the environment (even within city limits), has worked with youths and the houseless (and is aware of those concerns), etc. and it appears that Joan could sincerely look at the issues from many different angles. I personally appreciate a candidate that can "walk in several kinds of shoes" to modify the old cliche of walking in someone else's shoes. In the past, I have voted for candidates like her, where I might not agree on specific stands but can ALWAYS trust that my view is heard and respected, and that the candidate is honest and trustworthy.

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