Joe A. Kunzler, aka Mr. Go Sound Transit, has a few thoughts on Dave Somers being the current only applicant for Sound Transit Board Chair. One can watch the Sound Transit Executive Committee deliberate here – if you can call it deliberation.
Kunzler says firmly, “Frankly, 2017 is calling and the Sound Transit community needs to please excuse ourselves and hang up the phone. Some of us remember 2017. We remember the appeasement of Avrum (Alex) Tsimerman with his Nazism, sexism and racism. We know what had to happen to start to stop Tsimerman, the anti-Semite of the 2010s – a hate speech ban enacted in Somers’ absence, a request to have that hate speech ban stick from me denied by Somers, and the Public Disclosure Commission being useful in response. We’ve come a long way since 2017, and Dave Somers has no public-facing commitment to keep us moving forward. Zero.”
Kunzler says there are better choices.
“With the City Council Death Squad back on the march, 12 September at the UW fresh in many memories, and Tsimerman’s exclusion ending in August, is this the time for a Somers redemption tour? Frankly, Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin should be considered. So too should Pierce County Executive-elect Ryan Mello who will be stuck with the consequences but not be able to weigh in until January. There is nothing that should prevent King County Executive Dow Constantine serving for one more month versus having someone from the 1930s and 2017 back in power. Of course, we could have Claudia Badassuchi run the meetings and ensure Sound Transit is focused on service delivery with safety, quality and efficiency.”
Kunzler also offers himself to Chair Sound Transit Board Meetings…
- “Considering that I’m a fan of Sound Transit and Sound Transit is addicted to consultants, I can take over this role. I will charge the price of Sound Transit apparel and some influence over where & when we meet. I will also introduce resolutions to name trains and other things after Sound Transit heroes. Trust me, we’ll be in for a fun ride but we will get stuff done.
- “I will make clear that I want staff to issue the Board homework and make acute presentations so we can focus on oversight and efficiency. We will continue to close our skies to hate. I will work with my future colleagues to make Sound Transit even more of a security exporter. The story of post-pandemic Sound Transit is an agency that delivers, that is safe and most of all leads. I will also commit to going on Ari Hoffman’s 3-6 KVI show at least once a month – and insist on taking calls so there is some accountability to community and some guts.
- “Granted, I think the Sound Transit Board should be directly elected. There is no Amy Scarton or Roger Millar on this Board to serve as an expert. Nor is there an Anna Zivarts to represent the disability community. But we have what we have.
- “One last thing – I will move to please push pause on what must be a spendthrift CEO search. If Goran Sparrman wants to stay as CEO, he may. If not, then I call an 860 area code and ask for my old Quarterback back so we can party like it’s 2016. I’ll settle for partying like it’s 2025 and the CCA is safe so we continue to do Kitsinista things. If my first choice doesn’t want the job and prefers Connecticut being the guy the Commissioner counts on, I know someone who knows something about transit who can sail ferries up to stepping in to keep Sound Transit on the go.”
Joe A. Kunzler, aka Mr. Go Sound Transit
Op-Ed DISCLAIMER: The views and comments expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the Lynnwood Times nor any of its affiliates.
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
