December 10, 5:33 PM click here to comment > 1
Mayor-elect announces first round of cabinet decisions
SEATTLE – Mayor-elect Mike McGinn today announced his first round of department director and cabinet leadership decisions. The City of Seattle is comprised of 27 departments, with each director generally selected by the Mayor, subject to council confirmation.
The most wide-ranging change is the consolidation of several general government functions under the leadership of Dwight Dively. Dively, continuing as Director of Finance, will oversee the combined Departments of Executive Administration and Fleets and Facilities, along with some previous functions from the Department of Finance, including federal stimulus tracking, debt management, and financial policy development.
“Dwight’s integrity and extensive knowledge of city government is critical to our commitment to do more with less,” said McGinn. “Dwight has served Mayors Rice, Schell, and Nickels with distinction. I am honored that he will serve in my administration.”
Beth Goldberg will serve as Budget Director. Goldberg most recently served as Acting Director of the King County Budget Office, where she has held a variety of budget analysis and supervision roles over the past 14 years. As an elected board member and chair of the Seattle Monorail project, she oversaw the shutdown of that agency from 2005-2008.
“Beth is well known for her tenacity and attention to detail,” McGinn said. “We will rely on her organizational skills and judgment to solve a projected $40 million general fund deficit for 2011.”
In addition to their department leadership roles, Dively and Goldberg will also serve on McGinn’s Budget and Operations sub-cabinet.
Brenda Bauer, outgoing Director of Fleets and Facilities, has been asked to remain for six months to assist Dively in merging Fleets and Facilities into the new Department of Finance.
Fred Podesta, outgoing Director of Executive Administration, has accepted a new cabinet level position in the McGinn administration. This important new role will be detailed in January.
Former state legislator and transition co-facilitator Kip Tokuda has accepted the position of Acting Director of Human Services, replacing outgoing director Alan Painter. Tokuda will serve in this position until a permanent director is selected.
“Kip is one of our city’s most respected community leaders,” said McGinn. “I am grateful for his willingness to return from retirement to oversee this critical department.”
Four department directors have been retained in their current roles. Diane Sugimura will continue as Director of the Department of Planning and Development. Mark McDermott will continue as Director of the Department of Personnel. Stella Chao will continue as the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods. And Bill Schrier will continue as the Director of the Department of Information Technology.
Additional department director decisions will be announced next week.
Posted by: Aaron Pickus, Assistant Communications Director
Comment from Lynn A. Daily
Time December 14, 2009 at 10:54 am
To help improve traffic flow in the downtown and major intersections I suggest a three cycle lights to replace the current two cycle lights. This would allow traffic to flow without pedestrian interuptions.