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Constantine makes six appointments to Sound Transit Board of Directors
Summary
King County Executive Dow Constantine today made three new appointments and three reappointments to fill vacancies on the Sound Transit Board of Directors.
Story
King County Executive Dow Constantine today made three new appointments and three reappointments to fill vacancies on the Sound Transit Board of Directors."It has been a pleasure to serve on the Sound Transit Board with some of our region's best leaders on transit issues as we brought the light rail expansion package to the voters and opened the initial Link light rail line," said Executive Constantine. "I believe that these appointees will continue the strong leadership needed as we plan and build more light rail in the coming years."
The three new appointees to the Sound Transit board are:
- Bellevue City Councilmember Claudia Balducci,
- Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, and
- Metropolitan King County Councilmember Jan Drago.
"Councilmember Balducci has long been a leader on light rail issues on the Bellevue City Council, and her participation on the Sound Transit Board will be important as the board makes critical decisions on the East Link alignment through Bellevue in the coming year," said Constantine.
"Mayor McGinn is a strong supporter of transit and I am pleased to nominate him," he added. "I am also pleased to nominate Councilmember Drago, who succeeds me in District 8 on the County Council."
The Executive also reappointed to new four-year terms:
- Metropolitan King County Councilmember Julia Patterson,
- Metropolitan King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer, and
- Issaquah City Councilmember Fred Butler.
"I am pleased to reappoint Councilmembers Patterson and von Reichbauer to continue their leadership on the Sound Transit Board," said Constantine.
"Councilmember Butler has been one of the most dedicated Sound Transit Boardmembers with whom I have had the pleasure to serve," added the Executive. "He has ably chaired the Finance Committee for several years and was recently chosen as a Vice Chair of the Sound Transit Board for the coming year."
Ten of the 18 seats on the Sound Transit Board are assigned to King County on the basis of population. State law sets specific parameters governing the distribution of appointments, including a requirement for inclusion of an elected official from the largest city in each county and proportional representation from other areas within the boundaries of Sound Transit.
Proposed legislation making the appointments was sent today to the Metropolitan King County Council, which has placed confirmation of the appointees on the agenda for its next meeting on Monday, January 11. The first Sound Transit Board meeting of the new year is scheduled for Thursday, January 14.
