Both Snohomish and Pierce counties recently completed reviews of their county charters.
Voters in both counties elect a commission every 10 years to review their charters and propose amendments. The amendments go to the voters in the next election. It’s something King County should adopt.
King County charter amendments come either from citizen petitions (the reduced size of the county council), or from the Council (the proposal for an elected auditor). But we’d be better served by a regular review of the charter as whole.
Snohomish and Pierce counties also have mechanisms for citizens or council members to propose amendments, but most proposed amendments come from the review commission.
This year the Pierce County charter review commission has proposed a dramatic change in elections of county officials. The Snohomish County charter commission, on the other hand, has proposed a series of less controversial “housekeeping” amendments. In both cases, the counties had taken a full look at their charters.
Our tax dollars at work?
During Seafair, the Blue Angels performed at the hydroplane races. The performance of the precision Navy fliers is a highlight of Seafair, but we need to ask whether this is a good use of millions of tax dollars.
Chief Sealth penalty
Two weeks ago, The Enterprise sports pages quoted local high-school coaches praising the decision to strip Chief Sealth High School of its State girls’ basketball championships because of illegal recruiting.
That was necessary, but what impressed me was the decision to recognize no state champions for those years.
That means that future listings of state champions will look like this “2006 Girls’ Basketball: 4A – Lewis &Clark, 2A – King’s, 1A – Colfax, B – La Salle, 3A – No Champion.”
Having no team recognized as champion means that we will always be reminded the winner was disqualified. Had the second-place team been elevated to first, it would have looked like just another winner.
More food or bust?
The new owners of the Seattle SuperSonics basketball team seem to have given up on rebuilding the arena at Seattle Center. They want more room for food service and other moneymaking side enterprises.
That’s too bad. I’ve long enjoyed going to the games there after stopping at the center’s food court for a meal. It was like going to a play or a cultural event.
Of course, the theaters and the opera house don’t depend on food and souvenirs for revenue. If the Sonics want a fancy arena with more room let them find private support. If not, we’ll have to let Oklahoma City have the team.
Evan Smith is the Enterprise Forum editor.
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