THE GOVERNMENT:Personality goes long way in city's balance of power: Mayor praised for hands-on leadership

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Progress Sunday, March 17, 2002 Lorenz Cushing Hawkins Biles THE GOVERNMENT: Personality goes long way in city's balance of power Mayor praised for hands-on leadership MICHAEL BURNHAM THE OLYMPIAN We're lucky that the City Council has always had downtown at the top of its agenda." -- Connie Lorenz, Olympia Downtown Association OLYMPIA -- The type of downtown development that goes up in Olympia comes down to the City Council. From design guidelines on mixed-use developments to the locations of bicycle and bus lanes -- it's the council's call. "We're lucky that the City Council has always had downtown at the top of its agenda," said Olympia Downtown Association Coordinator Connie Lorenz. "We've also had a very committed ODA board membership that has made sure downtown is always in the eyes of the council." The city's current council/manager form of government includes an elected seven-member council and an appointed city manager. While City Manager Dick Cushing has the power to hire and fire city staff, the council serves as Cushing's boss and has ultimate and voting power. "The city manager is like the CEO of a corporation -- in this case, a municipal corporation," said former Councilman Gil Carbone. The city's mayoral position, elected by voters, is afforded equal powers as the other six council positions. "In reality, the mayor is the first among equals ... and has ceremonial powers," Carbone added. But in this city, personality goes a long way. When Stan Biles was elected to the mayoral post in 1999, the city received a hands-on leader. Biles has used his post to push near-and-dear issues to the forefront, from raising funds to purchase U.S. flags for downtown streets to meeting with potential conference center developers. Biles is also leading a charge to build an artesian well on Port of Olympia property, using personal time to build a network with well proponents and port officials. "That's Stan's personality," Carbone said. "We've had other mayors who haven't been that assertive. He's a guy with a wide kind of vision." Veteran council members have done likewise. During her 19-year stint on the council -- including a four-year mayoral term -- Holly Gadbaw helped create the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, Percival Landing and the Olympia Farmers Market. Three-term Councilwoman Jeanette Hawkins has been a major force in making downtown a hub for alternative transportation. She's been a strong advocate for the creation of bicycle lanes on downtown's major streets. But some credit Hawkins, a former small-business owner downtown, for her keen knowledge of the political implications on small businesses. "We have a council that's very government-heavy," Lorenz said. "It's nice to have someone who understands the costs of doing business. "She brings a good balance between what businesses need to help grow and what they need to make downtown more livable with bus and bicycle lanes." A brief history - 1859: Five-member Board of Trustees is elected to govern Olympia. - 1873: Office of the mayor and six council member positions, representing three wards, is created. - 1925: A three-member City Commission, composed of the mayor, commissioner of finance and commissioner of public works, is created. - 1982: A City Council with seven at-large positions is instituted. On the Web: City of Olympia Port of Olympia Washington Center for the Performing Arts Percival Landing Olympia Farmers Market The Olympian Copyright 2002 back to main Progress index

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