City Della Opponent Offers “Apology”
posted by on August 22 at 13:12 PM
Seattle Times reporter David Postman reports on a press release from city council candidate Tim Burgess this morning. Burgess issued a press release today correcting his earlier statement that his opponent, incumbent David Della, had voted against Council Member Peter Steinbrueck’s proposal to increase the police force by 250 officers. The error: There was never a vote on Steinbrueck’s proposal.
But I think Postman makes an error as well. He writes:
It’s rare to see a politician issue such a clear-cut apology as Burgess did. The press release he issued this morning includes no shot at Della, doesn’t blame it on poor staff work or rely on any of the other usual tricks for a political apology.
Huh? Postman’s being a little naive, I think. Burgess’s “apology” is a total shot at Della. Burgess’s apology states:
“I apologize for the mistake,” Burgess said. “I had erroneously thought that Councilmember Peter Steinbrueck’s proposal to significantly increase police staffing due to the extreme shortfall had actually gone to a vote, but it had not. Peter’s colleagues did not support his proposal and it was not brought forward for a vote. I regret the error.”
Sounds like a shot at Della to me. Indeed, I just talked to Burgess and asked him if this was a critique of Della.
“It is a critique of Della,” he said. “I don’t believe he has provided the leadership we need.” Burgess said Della’s lack of support for Steinbrueck’s proposal was wrong-headed. “Other than Peter, there is no strong advocate on the council for more policing. David Della claims to have taken this vote and that vote for increasing police, but by the end of this year, we will have fewer officers than we did last year.”
Steinbrueck had proposed funding 250 more officers. Burgess tells me he wants about 220 new officers. Asked how he would fund that addition, Burgess didn’t offer specifics, but said we would have to make sacrifices in the budget.
Burgess points out that there were more officers on the force when he was an officer in 1970 than there are now: 1,300 vs. about 1,200 now.
As the general election campaign starts, Burgess is clearly staking out his issue. Given the recent run of shootings in Seattle, it seems like a wise political move.
I talked to both Steinbrueck’s office and Della’s office (amazing because Della’s office has refused to talk to us for four years) and it wasn’t clear where Della was on Steinbrueck’s proposal. Although, Steinbrueck’s office did say there was “no support” for it.
"...they have refused to talk to us..."
Anyone notice how this seems to be a pattern with Josh Feit? Subjects of his articles refusing to talk to him. Hmm. Wonder why....It couldn't be because he just makes shit up.
An ex-cop who lobbies for the SPD is supposed to provide support for police accountability? Not very believable.
@1,
Ha! Yeah. Here's what I made up about Della. I reported that he campaigned in '03 on city light. He said incumbent Heidi Wills who chaired the City Light committee on City Council had failed, and he would provide the leadership. And then I reported that, upon beating Wills, he took office and wouldn't take the City Light committee. That's what I made up. He hasn't talked to me since.
I believe there are openings currently
in the SPD for new officers which are
going unfilled. Perhaps it would have been better to ask Mr. Burgess why
these current openings can't be filled
before even thinking about 220+/-
additional positions.
And while you are at it...can you ask him about his experience in land use
issues? If I am correct, this appears to be about 70 percent of the city council's business...and can you ask him about his financial experience and knowledge dealing with multi-billion dollar budgets?
Would you also ask the rest of the candidates about these topics too?
The current harvest of multicolored brochures from the candidates I've
found in my mail aren't giving me a lot of confidence. Was Jean Godden really paddling a canoe in the photo of her mailer? Do all the candidates use the same company to produce these things? They are practically interchangable!
--- Jensen
Josh, you should do a little reporting on Della's current ad claiming HE brought down some woman's electricity bill. What BS.
@5,
Read ECB's column this week!
Della is a fucking idiot. If he had any halfway decent opposition he would be gone.... I love his commercial about how he opposed the boondoggle tunnel. He fails to mention that he supported replacing the Viaduct with the big new nasty one...
Josh but its old news. :)
Della's ads claiming he reduced electricity costs after refusing the city light committee after beating Wills by running the rate hike heidi campaign make him the lowest, slimiest of all local pols.
Posted by whatever | August 17, 2007 3:48 PM
@8,
Totally. I reported it four years ago. And: He hasn't talked to me since.
#8
Are you some paid hack for Burgess? Or, am I wrong - this ex cop - one time on the payroll of Concerned Women of America (ultra fascist right wing) - and who thinks the political future of America resided in religious communities - is this the same guy?
Burgess seems Rovian to me.
Jesus, Josh. When are you and Postman going to give in and just sleep together already? Can't you two see you're in love!?
Josh,
Don't feel bad, it seems that Della doesn't respond to anyone. I've sent a few emails to all of the Seattle City Councilmembers on different issues over the past couple of years and always asked for a response. Every time I have gotten an email response from ALL of the Councilmembers except for Della.
I don't know if this is a case of Della hiring lame staff, who do not understand that emails from his constituents should at least be acknowleged, or if Della just does think it is important and/or doesn't care.
abyemoi rtzfhnuga duvc xompq pgnkqvtzr rqmshku pjhzml
abyemoi rtzfhnuga duvc xompq pgnkqvtzr rqmshku pjhzml
ursxw fxsunlz nolzituq ncjwfpbvy dibvpmwt rydotq opaxrw http://www.xctfwi.xdlsfnji.com
Comments Closed
In order to combat spam, we are no longer accepting comments on this post (or any post more than 14 days old).