Editor's note:
Today's online Q&A had been scheduled to include King County Executive Ron Sims, Democrat, and King County Councilman David Irons, Republican. We learned shortly before noon that Irons would not be taking part. Instead, his council office said, he would be in budget meetings.
Democrat King County Executive Ron Sims, seeking his third full term in the Nov. 8 election, is being challenged by Republican King County Councilman David Irons and Green Party candidate Gentry Lange.
Irons is running closer than many observers expected, as the race focuses, in part, on controversies such as Sims' handling of problems at the county elections office.
Sims answered a selection of your questions during an online Q&A. Irons, who was scheduled to participate, canceled.
Would both of you please comment on how you will improve the Elections Department? Specifically, identify ways to ensure we don't have another fiasco like the governor's election of '04.
— Collin, Renton
Ron Sims: I am bringing in a turnaround team to examine the management, culture and to identify needed systems improvements in the agency. We have already undertaken numerous changes: We reconcile the ballots, count all absentees twice, established a process of examining our returned mail, particularly those marked undeliverable, created new procedures to double check all Accu-vote machines, and established new procedures for the removal of felons and deceased voters from our list on a regular basis. We've added additional staff, provided extended training for poll workers, as well as those counting ballots. There remains more to do and I am committed to seeing continued improvements in the agency.
What is your agenda on solving traffic congestion?
— Villy, Bellevue
R.S.: I believe in a balanced transportation system. We need to continue to increase our commitment to public transportation through light rail, commuter rail, local bus service, regional bus service and bus rapid transit. I believe we need to make improvements to I-405, SR 167 and 509, as well as rebuild the Alaskan Way Viaduct. I want to continue with our efforts to expand the synchronization of traffic signals and the development of regional arterial networks like Highway 99 and Benson Highway, which are critical arterials that connect cities.
We must continue to encourage walking and bicycling in our dense areas and expand the nationally re-known FlexCar program throughout the county. We cannot continue to defer important investments in our transportation system, which is why I oppose Initiative 912.
Who is ultimately responsible for the conduct of the Election department to the citizens of King County? Will you replace Dean Logan (elections director)?
— John, Chimicum
R.S.: As County Executive I am responsible for the operations of King County government and I have always said that the buck stops with me. I have retained a turnaround team and Dean Logan will remain unless the turnaround team recommends to me that he be replaced. We are relying on their professional judgment. The most successful executives in the private sector have brought on turnaround teams to deal with their most intractable problems. Our goal is simple: to have one of the best election systems in the United States, and I will continue to move us toward this end.
Ron Sims, if you could cut $137 million from the KC budget, why did you wait until you were forced to do so? Why didn't you cut those dollars before, and save the taxpayers that money? Why did you spend more than you had to to run this county if you could obviously run it on much less?
— Arden Gremmert, Carnation
R.S.: I was the first Executive in King County's history never to ask for the full amount of property tax levy that we were allowed under law. I began the reduction of the county budget in 1997.
When Initiative 747 was passed by the voters to limit our tax rate to 1%, I had already reduced our levy rate to 1.7%, lower than the Republican-dominated County Council had previously approved. Prior to any statewide initiatives, we had begun the process to reduce our juvenile and adult detention populations in order to avoid building a costly third jail and second juvenile detention facility. I had began to reduce the number of cabinet-level officials by dissolving the Department of Youth Services, giving the courts the parole workers and adult detention the juvenile guards.
One of my first acts in 1996 was to limit the amount of money the council could borrow. It is this history and the $137 million reduction that results now in the highest credit rating that King County has ever had. We are "AAA" rated by Standard & Poor, Fitch and Moody's.
What do you want to see done with criminals when they are released and have nowhere to turn because of felonies on their record? How do you plan on making sure they don't HAVE to return to the streets in order to get a place to stay or make money?
— Angela, Kenmore
R.S.: In our recently adopted 10-year plan to end homelessness, our first task was to continue to expand programs providing housing and support services for individuals released from our jails and prisons. We have established alternatives to detention programs for adults and juveniles that provide housing, alcohol and drug services, job training and mental-health services to both felons and misdemeanants.
Earlier you closed the transfer stations two days a week because of the county's budget problems. This created a hardship on many construction workers especially on Vashon where we can't go to another facility. Now that there is a budget surplus, will you open the transfer stations all five days of the work week?
— Ed Palmer, Vashon
R.S.: I recently requested that King County's solid waste revisit the decision to close the Vashon transfer station twice a week, because I heard from so many citizens like yourself.
Why was it necessary to go as far as the county did in the Critical Areas Ordinance?
— Greg, Shoreline
R.S.: We were required to adopt the Critical Areas Ordinance by state law and use the best available science, which is what we did. In fact, other jurisdictions are currently adopting their own CAOs, which are far more restrictive than ours in areas such as buffers, wetland and shoreline protections. We have built in a number of incentives to encourage good stewardship of rural, forest and farm lands. A number of people are making applications for these provisions which will lessen the application of the CAO on their property. I would encourage affected land owners to learn more about these stewardship plans from the King County Conservation District and the County's Department of Development and Environmental Services.
I watched the debate on TV last week and was shocked to hear Mr. Sims allege that the CAO only takes land from people with "critical" areas and buffers. Do you still believe that to be true?
— Apollo Fuhriman, Bothell
R.S.: The Critical Areas Ordinance provides increased protection for drinking water, streams, wetlands and wildlife, and it offers greater protection from flooding and erosion. It also protects people and their property from inappropriate development. The CAO is not a one-size fits-all. The CAO is flexible and rewards property owners for good stewardship of their land. The CAO does not affect what you can build on your property — that determination is made through zoning.
The CAO only guides how the development is to occur. If you could put one house before the CAO you can put one house on your property today.
What is your experience in the private sector?
— Bill, Bellevue
R.S.: I have no experience in the private sector, but I have substantial experience
with the private sector. We work with the private sector on internal productivity measures, budget development and other initiatives which have proved very sucessful.
We have incorporated many private-sector practices into the government which have been widely recognized by businesses and other governments in the region. This foundation provided the basis for the establishment of the private-public partnership the Puget Sound Health Alliance, which was birthed by King County. My experience bringing private sector philosophies into the government was part of the basis for some organizations endorsing me, including The Seattle Times and Affordable Housing Council.
The White Center, North Highline Unincorporated Area. In September this year the King County Housing Authority identified it as "the poorest community in King County." My question to Mr. Sims, under your leadership for nine years as King County Executive, what's taken you so long to solve these problems?
— Savun Neang, White Center
R.S.: King County, under my leadership, has been given a great deal of credit for much of the redevelopment activities over the last eight years within the White Center community.
Early on in my tenure, we persuaded the Casey Foundation to establish new programs in the neighborhood and just yesterday the King County Council unanimously adopted our proposal to establish the Technology Access Foundation in a new community center.
It was our local contribution that successfully secured the Hope IV grant for the King County Housing Authority. We have made road and traffic improvements, established new and safer pedestrian crossings, established youth and adult training programs specifically for the White Center community, and worked with the Highline School District to create new opportunities within the schools in the area. This community now has one of the largest community WI-FI access zones in any metropolitan community.
Why has the State and the county waited too long to increase the traffic lanes on 405 North in the Totem Lake area. I have watched in "bean counters" for the past 10 years on the overhead passes counting traffic, and 405 has been congested for the last 10 years, but we have waited until traffic has come to a complete stop, before starting construction. Who is at fault for this?
— Sharon McWillis, Bothell
R.S.: Unfortunately, this is an issue associated with the state's Department of Transportation, but I agree with your frustration. I think this is another reason why we must defeat Initiative 912, so that we can begin making these critical additions to capacity and safety.
How does spending $6 billion on light rail help my commute when it starts at the North end by the airport and ends in downtown Seattle? I don't work downtown, do you think a majority of the county works in Seattle?
— Dan Wood, Kent
R.S.: It is cheaper to build a light rail line from the airport to downtown Seattle than it would be to build additional highway capacity, which would also move fewer people.
Sound Transit and Metro Transit have expanded their services to move citizens from areas like Kent to other job centers in the region like Tacoma, Bellevue, Redmond, etc. We recognize that not all commuters are heading into downtown Seattle, and have expanded transit services accordingly. In addition, I proposed a policy that was adopted by the council which would allocate 40 percent of all transit dollars to East King County, 40 percent to south King county and only 20 percent into the city of Seattle in recognition of the residential and job growth outside of Seattle.
King County worked with the state Legislature to establish a regional arterial fund which has been used extensively in South King county to connect cities. Further, traffic signal synchronization grants have been made available to a number of south county cities who have already implemented their new systems. Both Sound Transit and Metro have made numerous investments in park-and-ride lots and transit-oriented development projects throughout the county, including Kent, Auburn, Overlake, Renton, Bellevue, Sammamish, Issaquah and Federal Way.
What assurance do we the voters have that the very persons in charge of the King County elections will run an honest counting, especially when you stand to lose your job if the count doesn't go your way? This seems like a huge conflict of interest with many still doubting the accuracy of the last general election.
— Jeff Campbell, Redmond
R.S.: Everyone associated with elections wants a perfect election. No one is willing to undermine the foundation of this democratic society, whether they are the staff of elections or elected officials within the county. We have found human error but never fraud.
What progress have you made in improving operational efficiency within county departments? What can you do to improve efficiency, specifically staff productivity?
— Brady, Seattle
R.S.: I have reduced 14 departments into nine, established efficiency measures in our wastewater and solid-waste divisions, as well as our Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES). Last year, King County remitted back to feepayers $2 million out of DDES because of our productivity and efficiency programs.
We found $7 million a year in savings through our productivity initiatives and saving an additional several million dollars on an annual basis in the wastewater division. In our Department of Transportation, we found $15 million in reductions that could be made and reduced the department by 115 FTEs (full-time employees). King County's health care costs have only grown by 2.4 percent in the past year, compared to the 9 percent growth, which is the national average.
This year we are launching the KINGSTAT program, allowing us to better evaluate performance in every department.
Earlier you gave a very generic answer to transportation solutions. I think we deserve exact plans. I think this is one of the reasons why people do not trust things will get done. What improvements will you make? We hear these generic answers from people in politics all the time. It would be refreshing to hear someone actually commit to a plan.
— Chris, Redmond
R.S.: First, we must defeat 912. Secondly, King County has proposed comprehensive transportation plans which are available on our Web site, which were incorporated into the Puget Sound Regional Council's transportation plan. I believe that you are going to see a proposal by the Regional Transportation Improvement District (RTID) to finance improvements on 405, 520, 167, Alaskan Way Viaduct, which will include light synchronization and arterial improvements in key corridors. I also believe you will see Sound Transit Phase Two, which will expand light rail and regional bus service throughout the region. King County provides the staff resources for the transportation plans developed by Eastside cities, south county cities, the City of Seattle and Shoreline.
During your term as Executive, homelessness in King County doubled. Now, you are celebrating the "Ten Year Plan" to end homelessness. Can you explain how you will approach the situation differently to end homelessness if re-elected?
— Michele, Kirkland
R.S.: Homelessness has increased largely due to the downturn in the economy and reductions of state and federal funds. Frankly, this rise of the homeless population is one of the reasons we've worked so hard over this past year to pull together the 10-year plan. We worked with the philanthropic community, churches, social-service providers and the business community to develop a plan that would coordinate all of our efforts to end homelessness. This had never been undertaken before and I believe this plan will succeed. I am the co-chair of this group (along with the CEO of CarToys). The is an issue that should be important to every citizen in King County, and it is going to take all of our efforts to succeed in our goal of ending homelessness in 10 years. I hope you will join me in this effort.
Hi Ron, I'm sitting in a Capitol Hill cafe (Green Party candidate) Gentry Lange occasionally hangs out in. What would you say to people considering a Green vote?
— Michael Baker, Seattle
R.S.: I have a strong record of championing progressive issues, including environmental protection, civil rights and improvements to our health-care system. I believe, after participating in various debates with Mr. Lange over the past few months, that I am the most progressive candidate in the race. I hope that you will take the time to do the research on my record and views, and compare them with the other candidates.
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