Mike McGinn replaces Greg Nickels for mayor of Seattle. As Greg Nickels leaves, I have to think that he accomplished so much for this city, but didn't get rewarded very well. Yes, he had his faults of "being out of touch" in giving Seattle a "B" for the dismal snow response last year which more deserved a "D" or "F", but one cannot ignore the international recognition Nickels got from political leaders. There had to be a reason behind the support.
Topping the list, Nickels created light-rail from Seattle to SeaTac Airport, with funds in store for light rail to Lynwood, Rolando, and Redmond.
He successfully developed South Lake Union and Northgate, while coaxing a hesitant city into density. He claimed density promoted environment consciousness, night-life, and the growth of the city. I can't help but agree on this one; density is growth, and growth helps.
He was named President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
Seattle looked beyond these pluses and focused on the minuses, some of which were inevitable, and come with great implementers of positive change.
The Sonics moved, light rail and South Lake Union Streetcar was heavily criticized, opening up the waterfront by building an Alaskan Way tunnel was also heavily criticized. Nickels was a risk taker. And sometimes risks go the wrong way.
I think he had the right intentions. The city of Seattle perhaps got tired after three terms of a big, world thinker, and opted for a more local, neighborhood candidate.
Elizabeth Kautz, mayor of Burnsville, Minn., explained that mayors "are not evaluated on the merits of our overall performance, but on one or two issues and emotions. The press doesn't help at all."
"We were all surprised," by Nickel's defeat, Kautz said in a recent interview, "because of the things that we read abuot his work in Seattle and the many accomplishments that he has achieved."
Maybe, just maybe we should have given him a chance instead of focusing on one facet of Greg Nickels.
Nevertheless, Nickels leaves Seattle with his stamp. And that stamp, to me, is a positive one.
