Political Brief: 3/13/13

by Michael Sarko
- The Capitol Hill Times -

The City of Seattle and the Office of the Mayor recently hosted Merrick Bobb, the monitor for the U.S. Department of Justice who will oversee police reforms in Seattle. The city has accepted the DOJ’s monitoring plan, but wishes to keep the plan document open to amendment as the process continues. As police reforms develop in Seattle, Mr. Bobb will have regular meetings with the Mayor and City Attorney.

Kshama Sawant, the Socialist Alternative candidate who won a record-breaking 30 percent of the vote for Washington House Speaker Frank Chopp’s seat in our own 43rd legislative district, is announcing her plans for the 2013 election.

Hey, look! It’s another commission! The city has announced the creation of the Economic Development Commission, a collection of advisers to the mayor and city council who hail from the business, industry, and education sectors. The full list of EDC members is as follows:

Maud Daudon, president and CEO, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce

Chris DeVore, partner, Founders’ Co-op and TechStars Seattle

David Freiboth, executive secretary treasurer, King County Central Labor Council and vice president, Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO

Christine Hanna, co-founder/co-director, Seattle Good Business Network

Tanya Jimale, president and CEO, JTS

Rob Mohn, president, RAM Columbia, LLC

Alan Nay, founder, World Famous

Sarah Patterson, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Virginia Mason Medical Center

Michael Rawding, principal, Deerhorn Advisors

Chris Rivera, president, Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association

Brad Tong, principal, Shiels, Obletz, Johnsen, Inc

Dr. Jill Wakefield, chancellor, Seattle Community Colleges

Ken Willman, chief legal officer, Russell Investments

Tay Yoshitani, CEO, Port of Seattle

Michael Young, president, University of Washington