Inside the editorial page
Inside the editorial page

This blog is designed to give readers a glimpse of our editorial-page operation and how we make our decisions. We’ll let you know who we’re meeting with, what they’re telling us, what events and issues we’re looking at. We’ll also pass on information and observations that may not make our print editions. In addition to the editorial board members who post on this blog, the board includes Publisher David Zeeck, Executive Editor Karen Peterson and Managing Editor Dale Phelps.

Editorial board bloggers

Editorial page editor Patrick O’Callahan oversees the online and printed opinion sections of The News Tribune. He came to The News Tribune in 1987 and has worked at Washington newspapers since 1979. E-mail him at patrick.ocallahan@thenewstribune.com

Editorial writer Cheryl Tucker, in addition to writing commentary, manages the daily production of the editorial and op-ed pages and edits letters to the editor. She began her journalism career in 1974 at a Virginia newspaper and came to The News Tribune in 1978. E-mail her at cheryl.tucker@thenewstribune.com.

Editorial writer Kim Bradford manages the online opinion section of The News Tribune and writes commentary. She joined The News Tribune in 2005 after working 11 years at newspapers in Washington and Maryland. E-mail her at kim.bradford@thenewstribune.com.

Guest bloggers

Editor emeritus David Seago retired from The News Tribune in 2008 after 41 years at The News Tribune. E-mail him at sds99@harbornet.com.

Richard Davis’ column on state politics frequently runs in the print edition of The News Tribune. He was president of the Washington Research Council, a statewide think tank, from 1986 through 2006. Currently, as a principal with The Simeon Partnership, Inc. he coordinates the activities of the Washington Alliance for a Competitive Economy, a business coalition founded by the Research Council, the Association of Washington Business and the Washington Roundtable.

Karen Irwin of University Place, a mother of four, has been a frequent contributor to The News Tribune's print editions. She has also written for Seattle's Child, Puget Sound Parent, the Tacoma Weekly, the Fayetteville Observer Times and the political blog Right Meets Left. She graduated from California Lutheran University with a degree in English literature and is currently working toward a history degree.

Michael Allen, professor of history at the University of Washington Tacoma, was born and raised in Ellensburg. He served with the U.S. Marines in Vietnam from 1969-70. He has written five books, including the prize-winning "Patriot's History of the United States: From Columbus' Great Discovery to the War on Terror," "Rodeo Cowboys in the North American Imagination" and "Western Rivermen, 1763-1861: Ohio and Mississippi Boatmen and the Myth of the Alligator Horse." Allen lives in Tacoma and Ellensburg and has three children.

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What's on the minds of Tacoma News Tribune editorial writers
Monday, October 22nd, 2007
Posted by Cheryl Tucker @ 05:08:24 pm

Here’s a curious reason to vote for a candidate: Because she’s younger.

At least that’s the insinuation in a letter sent to Lakewood voters signed by Lakewood City Councilmen John Arbeeny, Ron Cronk and Pad Finnigan. It supports fellow Lakewood Cares member Lisa Ikeda over Mayor Claudia Thomas for Position 6.

Their letter reads, in part:

Lisa is in her middle thirties while the average age of the council is around 60. Her generation is not represented on the council, yet it will have to live with today’s council decisions. It is important that the council reflect the energy and vision of the “younger" set in the city.

What the three signees don’t mention is their own role in the ripeness of the council. Let’s just be nice and say that they aren’t exactly spring chickens either. Although Arbeeny is retiring from the council, the other two better hope that age isn’t an issue if they seek re-election.

Curiously, the three also endorse another Lakewood Cares candidate, J. Paul Wagemann – even though he’s obviously quite a bit older than the Position 7 incumbent, Walter Neary. Age apparently isn’t an issue for them in that race.

The letter very well could backfire in Lakewood, where the electorate tends to be older and retired. At least one can hope that voters reject this really low blow against the much-respected Thomas, the state's first black female mayor.

Categories: Taking notice