A political tremor rocked City Hall Thursday that will have major implications for the November election and beyond.
The biggest move shook City Hall to its foundation as Mayor James Lauinger announced Friday he is withdrawing his candidacy for re-election to the Kirkland City Council.
Lauinger said the past eight years of his Council service has been rewarding, however, “my past two years on the Council as Mayor … have not been without controversy and personal difficulty. As I watch the formulation of the next Council I believe that I can play a role more effectively as a citizen activist rather than a candidate.”
He added that he plans to be involved in this Council election and plans to publicly endorse those candidates “who support broadly held community values and who will bravely reject the narrowly focused agenda of outside development interests.”
He challenged the new Council to set aside difference and remember “it is the citizens they represent” that deserve a Council “focused upon preserving a quality of life we all currently value. He will return all financial contributions in full.
Lauinger’s withdraw from the City Council race also sent shock-waves through the field candidates preparing to run.
“That is incredible,” said Ford of Kirkland CFO Amy Walen, who began Friday morning – the deadline for filing – by changing the seat she would challenge for from position No. 7 to Lauinger’s position No. 5. “I am really surprised. He has had an incredible career and had led the city really well which is something for all of us to be proud of.”
Walen made the move to position 5 because of the log-jam that had been created with three other candidates running for position 7 including incumbent Tom Hodgson, Kirkland Parks Board member John SMiley and the addition of former Redmond Mayor Doreen Marchione (see story, page 3).
Ramsay to step down
In the meantime, City Manager Dave Ramsay announced Friday that he will step down next March after 36 years of public service, including 12 as Kirkland’s City Manager.
Ramsay will retire, effective March 31.
He is interested in pursuing non-profit agency opportunities in areas such as walking, smart growth, land conservancy and human services. Although no recruitment plans have begun, Ramsay’s announcement gives adequate time for a smooth transition to the next City Manager.
“We ‘boomers’ don’t retire, we just move on to our next phase,” Ramsay said in a press release. “Now is the right time for me.”
Ramsay was hired as Kirkland’s City Manager in October, 1997. While at Kirkland, he has served as the President of the Washington City/County Management Association, and currently is member of the Municipal Research and Services Center Board, Committee to End Homelessness in King County, and Feet First. Prior to Kirkland, he worked for the City of Glendale, California for 20 years, including 9 years as City Manager.
He received his Bachelor of Arts with a major in history from the University of Washington and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Southern California. He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Sierra Leone, West Africa from 1969-1972.
