Leadership. How do we define it? It’s not easy in a political context, but we know it when we see it. The new mayor of Seattle, Ed Murray, and the new Seattle City Council member, Kshama Sawant, support a minimum wage of $15 an hour. They recognize that a good process is necessary. A committee of stakeholders has been formed to work toward the goal. It is the support of the elected individuals that leads the way and reflects leadership and conviction.
Some Tukwila council members focus too much on process and too little on leadership. Council members, what efforts can you get behind that lets the less fortunate in our community know that you care about them? Higher minimum wage? Funding human services in a sustainable fashion? Must we wait for other communities to show us the way? Trust that progressive social goals will have the support of most of our community.
It is likely that some City Council members will run for mayor in 2015. If the past is prologue, it is also likely that those campaigns will reveal little about the specific vision of candidates. Minimal campaign coverage by media makes it easy for candidates to play it safe. But we can hope.
Tukwila Reporter columnist Chuck Parrish can be reached at chuckparrish2009@gmail.com.
