Nickels' idealistic belief in government, that government can and should get involved in people's lives to make those lives better, is the central analysis that has driven him for 14 years as a Democratic King County Council member. The fact that his faith in activist government is seconded by the emerging progressive leadership on the Seattle City Council (new council president Peter Steinbrueck and class-act lefty ally Nick Licata) is going to bring a welcome, new energy to city hall. "We're going to concentrate on the basics. We're going to make a difference in people's lives," Nickels said.
However, as Nickels' swearing-in ceremony moved to a cookie-and-soda reception at Benaroya Hall (government should provide booze next time, Greg), the new mayor's first big government solution was already coming under fire. People, cookies and soda in hand, were murmuring and whispering about a poll set to be released by Nickels' former colleagues at the King County Council the very next day. What does the poll say? That people don't support Nickels' central campaign promise, Sound Transit's current light rail plan.
Here are some of the poll's findings: 68 percent support voting on a new plan, while 19 percent want the public to stick with the new shorter route; 48 percent prefer monorail, versus 39 percent for light rail; 56 percent are less likely to support the light rail plan when they hear that it will run at street level at an average speed of 20 mph.
In all fairness, this poll has been linked to the anti-light rail Sane Transit.
