On Mayor Earling: Outstanding job. I place him on my all time best list along with Laura Hall.
On Councilpersons Petso and Buckshnis: Both also outstanding. Together they hung in there despite horrific abuse from a former Mayor because of their efforts to get the city’s budget in proper working order. Lora is simply among the most intelligent and competent Councilpersons I have observed in the past 46 years. Diane disappointed me a couple of times: once when she joined in on the off track attack against Captain and Denise Day (City of Edmonds vs Day) and again with her successful resurrection of the despised, ignored, and unenforcable cat leash law. That is, however, fully offset by her many efforts to improve the city involving the Senior Center, Arts, Dog park, etc.
Michael Nelson may be some new blood that our city can always use. I suspect he will do well.

Ken nobody wants to be on city council it takes up a whole lot of time and doesn’t pay anything the mayor makes good money all those city employees who report to the council get a good wedge here’s the council have to make all the decisions for what 100 bucks a week what’s wrong with this picture

It is interesting to note that, what was it 24,25 people applied for a vacant council position when they didn’t have to run a campaign to get the job. I am also disappointed that more people did not run. Competition brings out the best in us.
Ken Reidy would have been a formidable candidate.

Ken, I think it would be nice to have a City Manager and then we can remove the political element. I would say well worth the money for a CITY MANAGER…….and then, we could also pay the City Council what they deserve to be paid!!

It is just shameful how little our City Council members are paid and the tremendous volume of work they do. .

Because he or she can be FIRED and he or she serves at the pleasure of the council.

…….This is clearly not akin to eliminating the office of the “president”…….. I am laughing…..and out loud.

regarding politics, the citizens did not just fall off of the turnip truck…..they are much brighter than some assume

A periodic citizen review of our form of government brought up by Mr. Reidy is an excellent idea………and a Code of Ethics………and honesty and fairness and a clear understanding of laws and our Constitution

……..and speaking of checks and balances, we have watched some people working their way to the top sit in our government and ask no questions to keep their personal and political options open……speaking of “checks and balaces”

Yes, let’ s let our informed, smart and savy VOTERS decide……WE are the government, right?!….WE the people…..

As Ken and Ron have both eluded, there are pros and cons with both forms of management. I tend to be less supportive of the City Manager form due to some of the same issues raised by Ron – for a City Manager form of government to work, the council has got to be objective. This is a quality that hasn’t always been present in our council.

Tere suggests that we allow informed, smart and savvy voters decide – which means we will have an even lower voter turnout since research (check Pew) suggests that most voters (who actually vote – mid-term elections traditionally have a low turnout because they lack a “wow” factor) tend to vote based on who they like (under 40) or traditional party lines (over 60 generation)…not because they are informed…but rather influenced by a headline or the “cool” factor.

Young voters (20 – 35) are difficult to get to the polls because they don’t feel like they have skin in the game – they marry later, they tend to rent, and have a disinterest in the bickering and polarizing game that politics has turned into – which may be a reason we had so few (like none) throw their hat into the ring for our own elections. They are also in their career building years.

So what’s my point? My point is that people need a reason to care on issues that matter to the majority – economy and safety. My sample data is small (less than 10 people) but the issue of city manager or mayor did not move the needle with this crew. “Who cares? it doesn’t change my taxes, it doesn’t strengthen safety, it doesn’t fill the city coffers.”

People get involved when they feel like they can make a difference, are listened to, and are inspired. People want to contribute and belong to a winning team – most people do not have the time, energy and talent (or desire) to help an organization move from disfunction to efficiency…unless there is adequate compensation.

The past couple years several of our council members have touted that counseling (coaching) on how to get along with each has been of tremendous value to the city – at tax payer expense – they are learning what I was forced to learn in grade school and the military (win the hearts and minds). And for $5 you can pick up a copy of How to Win Friends and Influence People.

This isnt a football game, sport or militay operation, usual political/business rhetoric with supposed facts with the data and how people think…….I believe there are plenty of people that care about how and WHO their government works FOR….People do care….Its our government that has tunnel vision and I am not referring to our City Council.

“Not moving the needle with this crew” I think says everything…….You are right, the needle doesnt MOVE and thats part of the problem. I believe that means it is time for a change and to look at other options. My research indicates that a select few have operated the same way in this city for a very long time…..and the select few always all sound the same

This isnt about winning some game or war…….its about equal representation and working for the people. Its about a government that actually listens and wants to KNOW what the people want. It is about following laws and our Constitution and having an open and transparent government…….One needs to question why some do not wish to have that!
…….one does wonder…….

I think the Mayor got about 70% of the vote in his last election, clearly he moved the needle. People paid attention and went to the polls in record numbers. It appears to me that the people in Edmonds who exercise their constitutional right to vote are very involved.