It’s formally summer time — the time after we Pacific Northwesterners peel off the layers and soak in all that our area has to supply. I’m not a PNW native, however after almost 30 years on the West Coast, I’m a real believer: The West is finest. I can’t think about dwelling anyplace else.
However the West Coast lately made an look in a less-than-flattering headline of an opinion piece asking, “What have we liberals done to the West Coast?”
I cringed a little bit on the title, and I received’t dissect each level — there have been many good ones — however there have been three traces that stand out to me as we work collectively to resolve issues and seize alternatives.
The primary was “politics all the time is an element theater, however out West too typically we accept being performative reasonably than substantive.” And that’s true: Too typically the one final result is the efficiency itself and is a response to the loudest — however maybe not the bulk — of voices. It’s saying what they need to hear, no matter whether or not it’s the proper factor to do and whatever the intent or means to get outcomes.
The second was a quote from the Oregon Democratic Rep. Earl Blumenauer: “Persons are rather more involved in ideology than precise outcomes.” Or echoed elsewhere within the column, “We settle for a yawning gulf between our values and our outcomes.” That notion of getting outcomes and outcomes is what Seattleites need. The Seattle Metro Chamber’s public opinion research exhibits it and we noticed it within the outcomes of Seattle’s final election.
The purpose is to not bash West Coasters or liberals — I’m each of these. It’s additionally to not discredit our many successes. And it’s definitely to not let the individuals who search to undermine democracy, put ladies’s well being in danger and embrace discrimination go with out scrutiny, criticism and a struggle.
However leaders shouldn’t be glad till we truly get the outcomes we wish. It’s nice to win hearts and minds, however the questions we have to ask are: Is the work getting performed, what are the outcomes, and at last, are the outcomes adequate?
The solutions to these questions must be higher for a few of our regional efforts and the businesses tasked with delivering them. However we don’t throw up our fingers, accept establishment or abandon ship. We put our shoulder to it, course appropriate, convey within the expertise wanted and keep it up. I don’t imagine something is not possible or any establishment ungovernable.
I’ve nice confidence in Sound Transit CEO Goran Sparrman and Terri Mestas, the brand new deputy CEO for megaproject supply. Sue Rahr is stepping in as interim Seattle Police chief — she is somebody who is thought for driving tradition change. And Dr. Kelly Kinnison was named CEO of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, whilst headlines concerning the company’s points persist. This November, we’ll usher in lots of new leaders on the state stage, together with governor, legal professional normal and legislators.
We’d like robust leaders, throughout the board, who will face challenges head-on. We’d like leaders with a bias towards motion — not theater. We have to set an expectation of getting outcomes and meant outcomes, not simply successful hearts and minds.
And we do have unimaginable leaders in our area! Look no additional than Appearing Chief of Seattle CARE Amy Smith and Appearing Bellevue Metropolis Supervisor Diane Carlson; Mayors Angela Birney from Redmond and Nancy Backus from Auburn; neighborhood group CEOs Michelle Merriweather of the City League of Metropolitan Seattle and Pleasure Shigaki of the Pals of Waterfront Seattle — these are all unimaginable regional leaders getting it performed day by day.
I’m a year-round optimist, however summer time is a good time to be optimistic. I’m optimistic about new leaders, optimistic about fixing issues and optimistic about the very best coast.