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News & ArtsSaturday, January 9, 2010
City Mike McGinn’s Inauguration Speech: Will the Transition Ever End?
Posted by Dominic Holden on Sat, Jan 9, 2010 at 5:09 PM
On the main floor of City Hall this afternoon, newly elected Mayor Mike McGinn delivered an inauguration speech that suggests his transition strategy of holding public forums and town halls will continue for several months before he settles on many substantive policy changes. Speaking to a room of supporters and past adversaries, McGinn identified several priorities: improving public transit, making the city safer for kids, increasing community engagement, and consolidating city services.
On the transit matter, McGinn stuck to a promise: “I said on the campaign that within two years we will expand light rail in the city of Seattle, and we will stick by that commitment.”
A lengthy process will fulfill other pledges. McGinn minted a Youth and Family Initiative to address problems with youth violence and struggling schools. “On these issues, I think we sometimes get the feeling that they are too big to solve,” he said. “Maybe I am naïve to think we want make every child safe … But I don’t think we have any other choice.” The initiative, chaired by former mayor Norm Rice, will kick off with four town halls in the next two months (Feb 22, March 1, March 8, and March 15).
McGinn vowed to fix the city’s byzantine system for answering questions from the public. “What we have discovered is that our city has something like 22 separate call centers,” he said. “There are over 1,000 numbers that people could go through to find the right person to solve their problem. Thirty percent of people surveyed gave up before they found person they wanted.” He also wanted to promote civic engagement among those who want to help the city. The solution? “A series of forums and symposiums,” McGinn announced. “We will invite you in with the mayor’s office, city staff, and departments heads to find out how the city works with communities that want to create change."
The speech—which focused largely on a transparent, accessible government—lasted about 40 minutes. McGinn wrapped up by speaking a lot about promises: “As we make promises, it is not just the promises we make that are important—it’s the promises we keep that really matter,” he said, adding, “Seattle itself is a promise.”
Michael Maddux, a former Joe Mallahan supporter and active member of the 43rd District Democrats, wasn't captivated. "I stopped listening after the first 10 minutes—it was long and a bit excessive,” Maddux says. But he added that McGinn’s pledges for a more accessible city hall was “something we have not had in 12 years.” Meanwhile, firefighters were everywhere—and the firefighters union had aggressively supported Mallahan. But today Seattle Fire Department Captain Charlie Cordova said McGinn “gave an excellent speech. I support our mayor.”
It’s great that McGinn is sticking to his commitment to build light rail, and that he wants to consolidate information services and generally improve the city. But the interminable town halls could get old really fast; will another town hall find the magic bullet for the viaduct? At some point, McGinn has to make some tough decisions and set controversial policy. Not everyone, no matter how much feedback they give, will be pleased.
1
I am not sure he really has any idea how to do anything but hold townhalls and events. This is going to be a long and frustrating 4 years.
2
Remember granny's old adage -
Talk is cheap.
Filling air with blah blah blah is one strategy when the coffers are empty. After all, the City is more or less broke.
But, it also may be all the guy is good at. In that case, the slow bike to China will grow old fast.
And he is really fat, too. What is with that? Two fat mayors in a row.
Domenic, was he rumpled today?
I met another new staffer this week, and I am surprised - I don't think the guy could work at QFC as a checker let alone at city hall - well, the spoils system rewards - and he is so in love with Mc Ginn, he will be loyal thru thick and thin.
Talk is cheap.
Filling air with blah blah blah is one strategy when the coffers are empty. After all, the City is more or less broke.
But, it also may be all the guy is good at. In that case, the slow bike to China will grow old fast.
And he is really fat, too. What is with that? Two fat mayors in a row.
Domenic, was he rumpled today?
I met another new staffer this week, and I am surprised - I don't think the guy could work at QFC as a checker let alone at city hall - well, the spoils system rewards - and he is so in love with Mc Ginn, he will be loyal thru thick and thin.
3
McGinn's transition will end when there are no more women in Seattle city government.
He just needs to get rid of his one female city senior staffer. He's doing an incredible job replacing female department heads with male department heads. The vast majority of his 200 managerial layoffs will likely be women. Lots of his female lower staff will likely resign as his male staff is getting paid more than $13,000/yr more on average.
McGinn is pissed that Seattle elected a female mayor for one term out of its entire history, back in the 1920's. He'll make sure it never happens again by making sure no women ever have city "experience" again.
He just needs to get rid of his one female city senior staffer. He's doing an incredible job replacing female department heads with male department heads. The vast majority of his 200 managerial layoffs will likely be women. Lots of his female lower staff will likely resign as his male staff is getting paid more than $13,000/yr more on average.
McGinn is pissed that Seattle elected a female mayor for one term out of its entire history, back in the 1920's. He'll make sure it never happens again by making sure no women ever have city "experience" again.
4
McGinn doesn't want the honeymoon to end.
He hates to contemplate an end to the daily suck-offs from The Stranger.
He hates to contemplate an end to the daily suck-offs from The Stranger.
5
Money quote from the mayor: “I said on the campaign that within two years we will expand light rail in the city of Seattle, and we will stick by that commitment.”
We really need to get a serious conversation going on light rail expansion. But that conversation also can't take place in a vacuum. The matter of Green Line light rail is intertwined with the deep-bore tunnel and 520 bridge replacement.
We've got as close a thing to a consensus as you can get in these parts that we've got to replace the 520 bridge. But even if we're building a new 520 bridge on the cheap, the money just isn't there to pay for it. Nor is the money there to pay for the tunnel. We've got not one but two grossly underfunded highway projects, and there are a lot of interest groups in this region who want to shout down anyone who points out this obvious and important fact and just barrel ahead. Y'know, better to say you're sorry afterwards than ask permission ahead of time.
We really need to get a serious conversation going on light rail expansion. But that conversation also can't take place in a vacuum. The matter of Green Line light rail is intertwined with the deep-bore tunnel and 520 bridge replacement.
We've got as close a thing to a consensus as you can get in these parts that we've got to replace the 520 bridge. But even if we're building a new 520 bridge on the cheap, the money just isn't there to pay for it. Nor is the money there to pay for the tunnel. We've got not one but two grossly underfunded highway projects, and there are a lot of interest groups in this region who want to shout down anyone who points out this obvious and important fact and just barrel ahead. Y'know, better to say you're sorry afterwards than ask permission ahead of time.
6
Continuing from my previous post...
The thing that bothers the hell out of me about how we're leaving the 520 bridge go underfunded while the deep-bore tunnel goes underfunded is that it effectively puts the two projects on an equal footing. And yet the 520 corridor has far more traffic and is far more vital to this region's economy. And a deep-bore tunnel that bypasses downtown becomes that much less vital than the existing viaduct.
And how do these projects relate back to light rail in the Green Line corridor? I think there's a great chance Seattle voters will vote to tax themselves to have Sound Transit build in-city light rail. But who's going to agree to shell out for the tunnel? And does anyone seriously believe there's the political will or the deep pockets to pay for all three of these projects when we don't have the funding yet for the two of them already in the works?
Mike McGinn has wisely decided not to be a tunnel obstructionist. But at the same time, he's got to be a 520 bridge champion as well as a light rail champion. That tunnel project is going to die a slow, quiet death, but let's not see it take down two viable projects in the process.
The thing that bothers the hell out of me about how we're leaving the 520 bridge go underfunded while the deep-bore tunnel goes underfunded is that it effectively puts the two projects on an equal footing. And yet the 520 corridor has far more traffic and is far more vital to this region's economy. And a deep-bore tunnel that bypasses downtown becomes that much less vital than the existing viaduct.
And how do these projects relate back to light rail in the Green Line corridor? I think there's a great chance Seattle voters will vote to tax themselves to have Sound Transit build in-city light rail. But who's going to agree to shell out for the tunnel? And does anyone seriously believe there's the political will or the deep pockets to pay for all three of these projects when we don't have the funding yet for the two of them already in the works?
Mike McGinn has wisely decided not to be a tunnel obstructionist. But at the same time, he's got to be a 520 bridge champion as well as a light rail champion. That tunnel project is going to die a slow, quiet death, but let's not see it take down two viable projects in the process.
7
Evan Johnson @2:
I agree. During the campaign Mike McGinn was all talk. Just like Greg Nickels in 2001. Just like Barack Obama last year. Just Abraham Lincoln in 1860.
Evan, you may not be too familiar with our system of democratic elective government, but elected officials can't actually do anything until they're, um, well, elected.
And didn't McGinn order 200 managerial positions be cut on his first day in office? Is that just talk? Does he have to physically break a sweat or sign a piece of paper for his executive orders to count as action?
Evan, you should just hope McGinn lives down to your low expectations of him. Because I imagine you'll be one of those know-it-alls screaming bloody murder with every single action he takes.
Talk is cheap.
Filling air with blah blah blah is one strategy when the coffers are empty. After all, the City is more or less broke.
But, it also may be all the guy is good at.
I agree. During the campaign Mike McGinn was all talk. Just like Greg Nickels in 2001. Just like Barack Obama last year. Just Abraham Lincoln in 1860.
Evan, you may not be too familiar with our system of democratic elective government, but elected officials can't actually do anything until they're, um, well, elected.
And didn't McGinn order 200 managerial positions be cut on his first day in office? Is that just talk? Does he have to physically break a sweat or sign a piece of paper for his executive orders to count as action?
Evan, you should just hope McGinn lives down to your low expectations of him. Because I imagine you'll be one of those know-it-alls screaming bloody murder with every single action he takes.
8
#5/6: those are wsdot projects. take it up with gregoire. we in seattle would prefer the tunnel and 520 bridge never get built. nobody wants to go to the eastside.
10
#7
Cressona - get a clue. The big bad world of real city politics is here in Seattle, came with the gold rush.
Mc Ginn bagged 200 people, nice gesture of "cost cutting" - but in the long term ALL those staffers will be replaced with his own minions.
There are many comments about the women in the former city hall staffs, relentlessly brought into govt. starting with Rice - well, say good bye to the women - welcome the Mc Ginn good old boys.
Cressona, clue buss has left. So far, not so good.
I have NO expectations of this guy. He is a political fluke. Of course, redemption is always OK. Will not be holding my breath.
And Burgess looks better and better. On the hot air meter, he has a low score.
Cressona - get a clue. The big bad world of real city politics is here in Seattle, came with the gold rush.
Mc Ginn bagged 200 people, nice gesture of "cost cutting" - but in the long term ALL those staffers will be replaced with his own minions.
There are many comments about the women in the former city hall staffs, relentlessly brought into govt. starting with Rice - well, say good bye to the women - welcome the Mc Ginn good old boys.
Cressona, clue buss has left. So far, not so good.
I have NO expectations of this guy. He is a political fluke. Of course, redemption is always OK. Will not be holding my breath.
And Burgess looks better and better. On the hot air meter, he has a low score.
11
Evan Johnson @10:
Ah, OK. I get it. So every time an elected official does something--let me grab my air quotes here--"good," we should dismiss it because they will just negate it with something equally bad.
Evan, by this standard, instead of blaming McGinn for not having taken sufficient action during his first few days in office, you can just go ahead and blame him for a whole litany of failures over the coming four years.
More Evan Johnson:
Evan, it doesn't look so good when you go tell someone else to get a clue and you can't even spell the word "bus." Well, at least you didn't write "get a klue."
Oh, and I do have expectations of this guy. Because I support his agenda. And I fully expect that, as he proceeds to fulfill my expectations, all those folks who expected nothing of him will begin to show their true colors--that the real problem is they didn't support his agenda. In other words, it's impossible to separate Mike McGinn's doubters from Mike McGinn's foes.
Mc Ginn bagged 200 people, nice gesture of "cost cutting" - but in the long term ALL those staffers will be replaced with his own minions.
Ah, OK. I get it. So every time an elected official does something--let me grab my air quotes here--"good," we should dismiss it because they will just negate it with something equally bad.
Evan, by this standard, instead of blaming McGinn for not having taken sufficient action during his first few days in office, you can just go ahead and blame him for a whole litany of failures over the coming four years.
More Evan Johnson:
Cressona, clue buss has left. So far, not so good.
Evan, it doesn't look so good when you go tell someone else to get a clue and you can't even spell the word "bus." Well, at least you didn't write "get a klue."
Oh, and I do have expectations of this guy. Because I support his agenda. And I fully expect that, as he proceeds to fulfill my expectations, all those folks who expected nothing of him will begin to show their true colors--that the real problem is they didn't support his agenda. In other words, it's impossible to separate Mike McGinn's doubters from Mike McGinn's foes.
12
#11 - when all else fails - tackle the typo. Here, bus as in school and Metro.
OK?
If he would get started on His Agenda, we would all be happier. Course there is no money. And the learning curve is most likely about two years, and a new fierce council is going to bark back.
Mercy, mercy, big city politics.
And, god, is he ever rumpled ... but then, for the anti campaign it worked well.
He has three or four months, then, he will be wounded beyond repair. If you know him, tell him to make a move.
Seattle has tired of process, inertia, and talk to the moon. The era is loaded with major problems, history will treat well any political leader who leads in this time and place.
Oh, need more forums, I forgot.
OK?
If he would get started on His Agenda, we would all be happier. Course there is no money. And the learning curve is most likely about two years, and a new fierce council is going to bark back.
Mercy, mercy, big city politics.
And, god, is he ever rumpled ... but then, for the anti campaign it worked well.
He has three or four months, then, he will be wounded beyond repair. If you know him, tell him to make a move.
Seattle has tired of process, inertia, and talk to the moon. The era is loaded with major problems, history will treat well any political leader who leads in this time and place.
Oh, need more forums, I forgot.
13
So Evan @12, on the one hand, you lament the inertia in Seattle politics, and then on the other hand, you just accept as a fact of nature that "a new fierce council is going to bark back."
So if Mike McGinn does indeed get going trying to accomplish something good for this city and it is the City Council that comes across as obstructionist, then won't it be the City Council that is responsible for that inertia? Or does mayor of Seattle work like president of the USA and we content ourselves with letting just one guy be our one-stop blame shop?
So if Mike McGinn does indeed get going trying to accomplish something good for this city and it is the City Council that comes across as obstructionist, then won't it be the City Council that is responsible for that inertia? Or does mayor of Seattle work like president of the USA and we content ourselves with letting just one guy be our one-stop blame shop?
14
McGinn is the same as Obama.
A giant gas bas who was hired by the crooks to eviscerate our tax dollars for do-nothing projects and feed the cash to the powers that be.
McGinn is the same as Obama.
A giant gas bas who was hired by the crooks to eviscerate our tax dollars for do-nothing projects and feed the cash to the powers that be.
16
The idea of a combined call center is a really stupid idea. The reason why we have different departments in the city is because the departments do different things - with different software (see next paragraph). If they want to have a city switchboard that can transfer people to the appropriate departments, that's different. But that takes people and money - both of which are in short supply right now.
How about instead of grandiose change for the sake of change, they actually invest in some effective technology? I work on a legacy software program that, to quote Betty MacDonald, was built by grandpa and designed by the cat. I have to access at least three other programs - one of which is another legacy program - just to do a simple service request for a customer. It's ridiculous, time-consuming, and a waste of citizen's money.
On the bright side, we finally got Outlook last year, so that should count for something, eh?
Or, if you really want to have a legacy, how about working with the city's unions to bring them into the 20th century? Right now the unions are controlled, and largely operated for the benefit of, the people who have been with the city for thirty years or more. (They just got an extra personal holiday, on top of their six week's vacation!) Most of those people will be clearing out in the next few years, and it would be an ideal time to rethink contracts - not "bust the unions" by any stretch (I am, after all, a union member myself), but reshaping how the city and the unions interact: Things like downgrading the importance of seniority in promotions and layoffs, merit pay, and being more flexible with comp time and telecommuting.
But I suppose both the mayor and the council have their hands full dealing with the Rice/Schell/Nickels real estate giveaways and building binges: We have these "world class" facilities, but no money to operate them.
More...
How about instead of grandiose change for the sake of change, they actually invest in some effective technology? I work on a legacy software program that, to quote Betty MacDonald, was built by grandpa and designed by the cat. I have to access at least three other programs - one of which is another legacy program - just to do a simple service request for a customer. It's ridiculous, time-consuming, and a waste of citizen's money.
On the bright side, we finally got Outlook last year, so that should count for something, eh?
Or, if you really want to have a legacy, how about working with the city's unions to bring them into the 20th century? Right now the unions are controlled, and largely operated for the benefit of, the people who have been with the city for thirty years or more. (They just got an extra personal holiday, on top of their six week's vacation!) Most of those people will be clearing out in the next few years, and it would be an ideal time to rethink contracts - not "bust the unions" by any stretch (I am, after all, a union member myself), but reshaping how the city and the unions interact: Things like downgrading the importance of seniority in promotions and layoffs, merit pay, and being more flexible with comp time and telecommuting.
But I suppose both the mayor and the council have their hands full dealing with the Rice/Schell/Nickels real estate giveaways and building binges: We have these "world class" facilities, but no money to operate them.
17
40 minutes? Jesus Christ.
McGinn got my vote, and has my support, but, come on. 40 minutes! That is way too long.
Unsolicited advice, Mr. Mayor: shorten your set list until you have some bona fide hits to play.
McGinn got my vote, and has my support, but, come on. 40 minutes! That is way too long.
Unsolicited advice, Mr. Mayor: shorten your set list until you have some bona fide hits to play.
18
@16: It sounds like they are talking about an automated switchboard. There's not going to be a row of operators saying, "One moment," as they reroute jacks in a panel, so I'm not sure what "people" you are talking about, aside from existing employees assigned to the project and a contracted phone tech.
30% of people give up on trying to get a hold of the right person? Seems like right now a lot of employee time is wasted dealing with these errant callers, and a lot of efforts are duplicated. Yes, let's shit all over this idea.
30% of people give up on trying to get a hold of the right person? Seems like right now a lot of employee time is wasted dealing with these errant callers, and a lot of efforts are duplicated. Yes, let's shit all over this idea.
19
I was there. It was a little long; he's not a very polished speaker (but boy, next to Mallahan, he looks like Obama).
As someone who works on public education issues in our city, I was thrilled that he was going to have some forums on youth, families and education. I was also struck by him saying that people want to help. Parents want to help Seattle Public Schools. We have bright, savvy parents but our district tells us to go raise money for the PTA and leave them alone. We, as parents, want some voice in our schools and we have little.
I, for one, will be thrilled if he stands up to Dr. Goodloe-Johnson and tells her that she isn't totally large and in-charge. She needs it.
As someone who works on public education issues in our city, I was thrilled that he was going to have some forums on youth, families and education. I was also struck by him saying that people want to help. Parents want to help Seattle Public Schools. We have bright, savvy parents but our district tells us to go raise money for the PTA and leave them alone. We, as parents, want some voice in our schools and we have little.
I, for one, will be thrilled if he stands up to Dr. Goodloe-Johnson and tells her that she isn't totally large and in-charge. She needs it.
20
McGinn does not know what he is doing....
He is the Dixie Lee Ray of the Left... An accidental executive who is over their head.
He is the Dixie Lee Ray of the Left... An accidental executive who is over their head.
21
16 FTW
every one of these ideas are excellent.
the troll has spent time as a union member and often the folks most shit on by unions are the newer less senior hardest working members of the union.
every one of these ideas are excellent.
the troll has spent time as a union member and often the folks most shit on by unions are the newer less senior hardest working members of the union.
22
I don't buy it: For one thing, 30% of who? How are they getting that figure? Have they conducted a survey? If so, how did they get the participants?
In our office, we take turns answering the main number (which is pretty prominently published number) and only occasionally have I ever had someone call who was trying to reach another department. If nothing else, people know to call the mayor's office, or a council member's office if they can't get where they want to be.
There are offices that seem hopelessly bureaucratic, but the overwhelming reason that they are the way they are is because we the people have made them that way: DPD is Byzantine because of the thousands of regulations we have placed on what you can build in this town, and how you can build it. If DPD were just there to enforce the national building codes, it would be much simpler. But then we'd be Houston.
A 311 system with a state-of-the-art IVR would be cool, but it would probably mean replacing the entire city phone system (which I believe dates back to the early 90's, and should be replaced anyway) but again - where's the money?
In our office, we take turns answering the main number (which is pretty prominently published number) and only occasionally have I ever had someone call who was trying to reach another department. If nothing else, people know to call the mayor's office, or a council member's office if they can't get where they want to be.
There are offices that seem hopelessly bureaucratic, but the overwhelming reason that they are the way they are is because we the people have made them that way: DPD is Byzantine because of the thousands of regulations we have placed on what you can build in this town, and how you can build it. If DPD were just there to enforce the national building codes, it would be much simpler. But then we'd be Houston.
A 311 system with a state-of-the-art IVR would be cool, but it would probably mean replacing the entire city phone system (which I believe dates back to the early 90's, and should be replaced anyway) but again - where's the money?
23
And where's the money for updating all of the software, as you propose? If we reject any idea that costs money, even if it saves money in the long run, we will never get anywhere.
24
If somebody can't figure out how to make this man stop listening, we're all doomed. Doomed, I say ... DOOMED!!!
Meanwhile, I still blame Nickels.
Meanwhile, I still blame Nickels.
26
McGinn just replaced a guy who was basically booted out of office because he didn't listen enough. He would have to be pretty stupid to not at least make a big show of listening and seriously considering people's concerns.
Whether discussion is an excuse for paralysis, we'll have to see.
Whether discussion is an excuse for paralysis, we'll have to see.
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