My Short-tenure with Council Member Jake Fey

This week was Councilmember Fey’s final meeting on the Tacoma City Council. In honor of that momentous occasion, Councilmember Boe penned a poem, which he read at the close of the meeting.

My Short-tenure with Council Member Jake Fey
(with great apologies to Clement C. Moore)
~ David Boe

Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the room,
Staff and public were quite blue after weeks of budget gloom.

Though the very long process had now been put safely to bed;
No visions of sugar plums were left dancing in anyone’s heads.

And now was the last council meeting of State Representative Elect soon to be former Council Member Jake Fey,
It was bringing many of those assembled here to tears for a good pre-Holiday cry.

In honor of his honor, and him being such a stand-up kind of guy;
I got all dressed-up tonight (even to the extent of wearing a tie).

So let’s review some of the Jake’s actions over these last 3-years in office,
A man of many accomplishments (with only a few of them losses).

As deputy mayor, Jake threw the out the old Cheney Stadium last first pitch;
Resulting in a Rainier’s Championship Season, now how is that for being ironically rich?

And who could forget his historic procedural flip-flop-flip on the Arizona vote;
In order to ultimately pass a resolution (some considered as an opportunistic joke).

Not afraid to be the Lone Ranger with his 2010-11 budget vote NO!
(Hey Jake, how about letting Marty and I in beforehand so we can go with your negative flow).

And another NO on the previous city manager’s contract (he really showed him the ax);
Followed by his affirmative vote soon thereafter, hiring our new chief executive – Mr. TC Broadnax.

His routine cross-examination grilling of TPU Directors, in three years that has never got old;
Or his concern for Tacoma citizen’s needing financial assistance to assure staving off the winter cold.

His work on transportation issues – PSRC and the Boards of Transits Pierce and Sound;
Jake brings his unwavering dedication for growing development density for more feet on the ground.

And his concerns for the environment, from sustainability to air quality non-attainment,
We look forward to working with him at the State Level in getting additional funding for containment.

And really what can be better for Mister Fey than a seat in the State House,
For he can now campaign and doorbell ad nauseam that ought to give him a bounce.

So as we watch Jake Fey leave us as he quickly strides out of our sight,
I wish him well and a most Happy Christmas, and to all others still listening – a Good Evening.

We would like to join Boe and the rest of the Council in wishing Representative Fey the best in Olympia, and thanking him for his service here in Tacoma.