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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Charles Creso, a past Tacoma City Council candidate (and very first UWT grad in 1991), challenges the idea that the city's doesn't have enough money to fix its streets.
The following is his response to an editorial suggesting that the council revive a road-tax measure that failed in 2006:
As you know, when it comes to funding the repair of Tacoma’s streets, the city has relied significantly on revenues from the real estate excise tax and collections from that tax in 2008 have been far below normal.
Side Note: Early this year, well before city staff, I sent the Council a heads up that RE excises taxes would be come in far below normal. I was able to anticipate the substantial reduction because I paid close attention to The News Tribune's Devona Wells articles and knew the city finance implications of what she was writing about.
I confirmed low sales numbers from independent sources (real estate is my profession) and realized city RE excise revenues would be less than 50% of normal. Several weeks later, city staff confirmed my numbers.
However, the city has another significant source of funds which may be used for street repairs, the General Fund, by a vote of the council. Surpluses in the General Fund for the biennium 07/08 are at unprecedented all time, historic, record highs.
Railroads have balked at installing the kind of technology that might have prevented the Metrolink disaster in L.A. It’s an issue of concern here, where almost all Sounder commuter track is shared with freight trains.
The Legislature should take a good look at the Federal Way police chief’s proposal to expand second-degree assault to include the use of fake guns pointed at cops. A firearm that is unloaded is still considered a deadly weapon under the law; a loaded BB gun that officers have every reason to believe is a real gun should be no different.
About our editorials:
If you have comments or questions about these topics, please email them to patrick.ocallahan@thenewstribune.com. Editorials represent the consensus view of The News Tribune's editorial board.
Want to sit in on a daily ed board meeting? Email cheryl.tucker@thenewstribune.com to make an appointment.
