Wednesday, September 5, 2007 - Page updated at 02:09 AM
E-mail article
Print view Share:
Digg
Newsvine
Co-founder of Dick's to fund citizen groups
Seattle Times staff reporter
An unexpected gift of a quarter-million dollars sealed the deal.
King County Council members weren't sure they wanted to establish a "citizen councilor network" of small discussion groups proposed in Initiative 24 if it would mean staff costs of $130,000 more a year.
But when the initiative's author, Dick's Drive-In co-founder Dick Spady, said Tuesday he would pay the cost for two years, the council jumped on board.
A final vote is scheduled for Friday, but the 5-2 vote of the council's committee-of-the-whole suggests the measure will pass easily, and there will be no need for a vote of the people on Nov. 6.
Spady already had offered to contribute $50,000 for the first year of operation — the same amount he planned to put into a campaign for I-24 if the council put it on the November ballot. He asked the council to adopt the proposal rather than send it to voters.
Described by Spady, 83, as a blueprint for "easy citizen involvement," the initiative would recruit citizens to join small groups that would study issues and provide input to the County Council and county executive.
County Auditor Cheryle Broom estimated it would cost $130,000 for her staff to help set up and oversee the citizen network, which Spady has been promoting at the state and local levels for decades.
Spady said he was "elated" by the council action: "It's a first step for the people of King County to move forward a new way to enhance citizen participation, civic engagement and citizenship education."
Keith Ervin: 206-464-2105 or kervin@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company

entertainment

events for Friday, Dec. 5th
- The Secret Life of Bees (Movie)
- The Santaland Diaries (Theater)
- Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus (Theater)
editors' picks
More shopping guides2-year delay of 787 jet reported
Nicole Brodeur: Bookworms on your list?
Huskies go with youth, pick USC's Sarkisian
King County home prices fall 9% in November
Supporters rally to save Rainier Beach High
- USC's Steve Sarkisian is added to Washington's coach list
- Huskies set to hire Steve Sarkisian, according to report, sources
- Fox shows Olympia sign; calls come pouring in
- List grows; 9 Seattle schools could be cut
- Woman swept to sea during marriage proposal
- Huskies go with youth, pick USC's Sarkisian
- Jerry Brewer | Big-time coaches won't come running to big-trouble UW
- Michelle Obama's family: From slavery to White House
- Baby dies sleeping in car with parents in Lakewood
- King County home prices fall 9.2% in November
- Michelle Obama's family: From slavery to White House
- Ancient pot stash found in China
- Washington banks trail industry in key indicators
- No woman is an island — unless she's on San Juan, offseason
- Woman swept to sea during marriage proposal
- Huskies go with youth, pick USC's Sarkisian
- 2-year delay of 787 jet reported
- List grows; 9 Seattle schools could be cut
- Finding vacation rentals - and offseason bargains
- King County home prices fall 9.2% in November
