Particularly in these fraught instances, it’s straightforward to be cynical and take a look at all politicians as idiots, prevaricators, or plain failures, if not precise traitors to our Structure. However it’s price remembering that there are numerous respectable, sensible, efficient folks in public service.
This summer season, as we get pleasure from a spectacularly reborn Seattle waterfront, we should always give thanks and reward to the many individuals who labored for years to make it occur. Notably deserving of accolades is former Mayor Greg Nickels.
When the Nisqually earthquake shook the city back in 2001, severe injury was finished to the Alaskan Manner Viaduct that ran alongside the waterfront. Heated discussions started instantly about whether or not the viaduct could possibly be repaired or if a brand new Freeway 99 span must be constructed. The state’s Division of Transportation and plenty of leaders within the state Legislature have been gung-ho for constructing larger and higher. They needed to maintain open an vital transportation hall for north/south visitors.
However Nickels realized he had an east/west downside. Because it was constructed within the Fifties, the viaduct had created a loud, soiled barrier between the waterfront and downtown. He started to tout the concept of a tunnel for automobiles passing via town that will open up a broad house above floor for one thing a lot finer.
Nickels’ view that the earthquake introduced a uncommon probability to do one thing massive that will rework Seattle’s entrance porch was a tough promote. Gov. Christine Gregoire and the mayor tangled for a very long time. She sided with those that needed a brand new elevated freeway. Nickels’ imaginative and prescient ultimately prevailed, nonetheless, due to his political savvy and proper sense of what a majority of individuals residing in Seattle most desired.
As soon as it grew to become clear the expertise was accessible to bore a tunnel underneath the waterfront, Gregoire, to her credit score, modified her place, gave the go-ahead to the tunnel and ended the seemingly countless debate.
Plans for the waterfront may have simply gone in a really completely different route if, early on, a distinct mayor had been in workplace. Perhaps not everybody loves the way in which it has turned out, however it’s a uncommon occasion of a grand thought not being crushed by countless course of and bickering. For that, we are able to thank Nickels for refusing to settle for a similar outdated solutions to an enormous problem.
See extra of David Horsey’s cartoons at: st.news/davidhorsey
View different syndicated cartoonists at: st.news/cartoons
Editor’s word: Seattle Occasions Opinion now not appends remark threads on David Horsey’s cartoons. Too many feedback violated our community policies and reviewing the handfuls that have been flagged as inappropriate required an excessive amount of of our restricted employees time. You’ll be able to remark by way of a Letter to the Editor. Please electronic mail us at letters@seattletimes.com and embody your full title, deal with and phone quantity for verification solely. Letters are restricted to 200 phrases.
