This Week on PubliCola: June 14, 2025
New police chief answers council questions, county assessor fails to get restraining order against him dismissed, Harrell wants to hold clubs liable for off-premises activities, and more.
Monday, June 9
Cathy Moore: City Isn’t “Listening” to Homeowners Who Want to Keep Their Neighborhood the Same
At a meeting to discuss the city’s comprehensive plan,City Councilmember Cathy Moore complained that—despite her frequent demands and a Change.org petition with more than 1,500 signatures—the Maple Leaf Neighborhood Center will remain in the mayor’s proposed update to the city’s comprehensive plan. The designation would allow moderate density—3-to-6-story apartments— in an eight-and-a-half-block area directly adjacent to an existing commercial center.
Burien Officials Excoriate Councilmembers Who Opposed New Restrictions on Church-Based Encampments
After the Burien City Council rejected a proposal to impose new restrictions on church-based encampments, including a new six-month annual time limit, City Manager Adolfo Bailon lashed out at council members who voted against or abstained on the proposal, accusing them of failing to do their constitutional duty by opposing the legislation.
Tuesday, June 10
The King County Council voted to approve a motion stating they have “no confidence” in King County Assessor John Arthur Wilson and calling on him to resign. Wilson’s ex-partner Lee Keller has accused him of stalking and harassing her and recently obtained a restraining order against him for the second time this year.
Wednesday, June 11
Interim Police Chief Answers Council Questions About Protests, Women at SPD, and ICE
The Seattle City Council’s public safety committee held its first official hearing for Interim Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes’ confirmation, setting Barnes up with mostly friendly questions. Barnes’ remarks, along with the written responses he submitted to council questions earlier this month, suggest that his policies—which are similar in name and content to programs he implemented as police chief in Madison, WI—will be less than transformative.
Thursday, June 12
In Motion to Dismiss Restraining Order, County Assessor Calls His Ex-Partner Unstable and Vengeful
King County Assessor John Arthur Wilson filed a motion to dismiss his domestic partner Lee Keller’s temporary restraining order against him, arguing that she is emotionally unstable and is trying to harm him politically. Wilson, who is running for King County Executive, has never publicly denied Keller’s allegations.
Friday, June 13
Mayor Bruce Harrell is proposing legislation that would expand the city’s ability to shut down so-called chronic nuisance properties by holding businesses responsible for incidents that occur “in proximity” to their property, and expanding the nuisance law to include liquor-law violations. Also this week, Cathy Moore’s legislation to ban rent-fixing software like RealPage moved forward on a fast track.
Saturday, June 14
Judge Declines to Lift Protection Order Against County Assessor Accused of Stalking
On Friday June 13, a judge denied King County Assessor’s John Arthur Wilson’s motion to terminate his former partner Lee Keller’s protection order against him. In response to Wilson’s attempt to have the order dismissed, Keller filed a declaration calling Wilson’s motion a “frivolous motion based on half-truths and outright lies.”