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Colleagues recognize, say goodbye to Councilmember Bob Ferguson
Summary
State’s new Attorney General leaves County Council after 9 years in office
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The members of the Metropolitan King County Council today recognized Councilmember Bob Ferguson for his work as a member of the County Council and wished him well as he prepares to take the oath as Washington’s Attorney General.“It has been an honor to work with Bob Ferguson for the last 9 years,” said Council Chair Larry Gossett. “All of the people of the state of Washington will now benefit from the energy and intelligence we have seen during his time on the Council.”
“Our State will benefit from his determined spirit, sharp intellect and his razor-like focus,” said Council Vice Chair Jane Hague. “Thanks for your years of hard work on behalf of King County residents.”
Ferguson, who joined the Council in 2004, will be sworn in as Attorney General Wednesday, January 16.
During his time on the Council, Ferguson served as Council Chair in 2010 and as chair of the Council’s 2007 Budget Committee, crafted King County’s 2008 Budget. He was also the prime sponsor of the legislation that became the Veterans and Human Services Levy adopted by voters in 2005 and renewed in 2011.
“Bob Ferguson was been a strong voice for the people of King County as a member of the county council, and with his deep sense of justice will be a great asset to the people of Washington as our next Attorney General,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips. “For the past nine years I have enjoyed partnering with Bob on a number of critical initiatives, particularly in the areas of fiscal oversight, government reform, and historic preservation, and I look forward to working with him as a state leader.”
“It was a pleasure to serve with Bob on the budget committee, even as the Council negotiated some difficult decisions during the economic recession,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert. “We will miss his input on local budget and criminal justice issues as he transitions to a statewide role.”
“It was a pleasure to serve on the Council with such a thoughtful public servant,” said Councilmember Reagan Dunn. “I wish him all the best in his new position in Olympia and I have no doubts he will serve the citizens of our state well.”
“Mr. Ferguson has shown great leadership and a commitment to our county’s most vulnerable,” said Councilmember Joe McDermott. “Bob has worked tirelessly to advocate for victims of crimes and our veterans. Today is a loss for King County government, but a win for our state.”
“Bob takes to Olympia a wonderful understanding of local government and will work well with county prosecutors throughout our state,” said Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer.
As chair of the Council’s Law, Justice and Human Services Committee in 2006, Ferguson worked on legislation to implement independent oversight of the King County Sheriff’s Office. Those reforms lead to the creation of Office of Law Enforcement Oversight, an independent agency responsible for monitoring investigations of misconduct, helping to resolve cases, increasing public trust and transparency, and identifying systemic issues and reforms within the Sheriff’s Office.
“Councilmember Ferguson’s achievements on the King County Council will have a positive lasting impact for all residents of King County, and it has been a pleasure working with him over the years,” said Council Vice Chair Julia Patterson. “If he serves as Attorney General only a portion as well as he did in King County, I know Washington State will benefit tremendously from his service.”
RECOGNITION
WHEREAS, Bob Ferguson has represented the residents of his district and served the people of King County as a member of the King County Council since first taking office in January 2004; and
WHEREAS, Councilmember Ferguson has developed a strong reputation for serving his constituents, responding to tens of thousands of inquiries and concerns from residents, hosting dozens of town hall meetings to hear from the public and answer questions, helping constituents solve problems involving County government, and faithfully representing the views of his district; and
WHEREAS, Councilmember Ferguson has established himself as a government reformer, working to streamline County government, improve access to public records, and overhaul the elections division to ensure the integrity of the election process; and
WHEREAS, Councilmember Ferguson has been a leader in advancing public safety and access to justice, including supporting the County’s anti-gang initiative, a strong public defense system, and the expansion of treatment courts, co-leading the effort to create the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight, and sponsoring the measure to construct the Children and Family Justice Center; and
WHEREAS, Councilmember Ferguson has demonstrated his commitment to protecting the natural beauty of King County and the environment, sponsoring the charter amendment to increase protections for over 100,000 acres of public open space, supporting legislation to address climate change and improve environmental stewardship, and encouraging transit use by personal example as a frequent bus commuter on Metro Transit’s Route 41; and
WHEREAS, Councilmember Ferguson has been a stalwart supporter of improving health and human services in King County, championing the County’s Mental Illness and Drug Dependency Action Plan, working to keep the County’s public health clinics open despite budget challenges, and sponsoring the successful Veterans and Human Services Levy to support veterans and military families; and
WHEREAS, Councilmember Ferguson has held multiple positions of leadership during his tenure on the King County Council, chairing numerous committees, leading the Budget Leadership Team in 2007, and serving as Council Chair in 2010; and
WHEREAS, Councilmember Ferguson has experienced many personal milestones during his tenure on the Council, including the celebration of his marriage to his wife, Colleen, and the birth of their twins, Jack and Katie; and
WHEREAS, Councilmember Ferguson has been elected as Washington State’s eighteenth Attorney General and will take office on January 16;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Metropolitan King County Council, honor and recognize
BOB FERGUSON
for his service and contributions to King County during his nine years as a member of the King County Council.
DATED this fourteenth day of January 2013.