Redmond's Marchione inherits a city different from his mother's

On his first day as mayor of Redmond, John Marchione laid off the city's communications director, Kim Van Ekstrom, and accepted the resignation of Finance Director Lenda Crawford.

Typical political housekeeping, but this one's got a twist: Marchione wasn't sweeping out hires made by his predecessor, Rosemarie Ives, but by his mother, Doreen Marchione, who served as Redmond's mayor from 1984-91 before being ousted by Ives.

Redmond was a different place when Doreen Marchione was mayor. Microsoft, not yet a worldwide name, moved to the city while she was in office. Developers weren't pressing to build taller. Gargantuan residential developments in unincorporated areas that now ring Redmond had yet to go up.

But one thing hasn't changed: the city is still struggling with growth and traffic.

Ives tried to keep development at bay, but to the new mayor it's a given. Like his mother before him, Marchione starts with the assumption that more housing and jobs are inevitable, and the city must create the infrastructure and transit to deal with them.

Redmond is "about to go through one of the biggest evolutions it's faced," said former City Councilmember John Resha, who was on the council at the same time the new mayor was serving his one term.

It's too soon to say exactly what Marchione will do in office, but it's clear he'll do things differently than Ives.

Some say she talked tough and was a master flatterer, while Marchione seeks consensus with a soft, slow voice and self-deprecating sense of humor.

Resha said though Marchione lacks Ives' high profile, he also lacks the "baggage."

"I think there's going to be a lot more harmony, a lot more trust in the information we're given," said Councilmember Nancy McCormick.

Marchione said he wants big issues brought before the council at least three times before voting to ensure that no one is rushed to make a decision in an emergency vote.

"As a council member, I did not like taking emergency votes," he said.

And he has vowed to work to find common ground with the council.

He said Ives' "fractured" relationship with the council "really undermined our ability to get things done in the region."

A former financial manager with a master's degree in public administration, Marchione, 42, said he wants to encourage open government, starting with the budget. Past budget forums have allowed participants to comment on a prepared budget, rather than help create a new one.

Marchione said a new budgeting method that involves seeking community input before setting the city's priorities will be like being asked: "What do you want for dinner?" instead of, "Do you want chicken for dinner?"

When the new budget process kicks off next month, it could include phone surveys, mailers and Web questionnaires in addition to the traditional public meetings, Marchione said.

"It will definitely take longer," he said, "but it's good public policy."

Vache and McCormick also predicted it will be a more pleasant experience.

Redmond's budget negotiations often have been knockdown, drag-out affairs. Marchione wants more collaboration.

"I have to have a team that shares my vision for the future, which includes a new budgeting system and a new way of communicating with the public," he said.

Amy Roe: 206-464-3347 or aroe@seattletimes.com