December 17, 2013 · Exit133

Replacement Named for Councilmember Ibsen

Joseph Lopez was named at this evening's City Council meeting to serve as the Council District 1 representative in Councilmember Ibsen's impending absence to train for the Marine Corps Reserves.

Lopez, an attorney in Seattle who served on the city’s Board of Ethic got support from Council, several of whom were surprised and impressed with his performance at today's study session interview. They liked his attitude, with several referencing his answer in response to questions about Tacoma's place in the region.

Lopez was a bit of a surprise to some of the rest of us who talk about these kind of things as well, but we're looking forward to getting to know him a little better. He will represent District 1 beginning January 1, 2014 until Ibsen returns from training.

15 candidates were interviewed at today's City Council study session, and we have to agree with Councilmember Campbell, who said it was good to see so many applicants, and described them as "15 people who love Tacoma."

Congratulations Mr. Lopez; you've got a busy year ahead of you.

UPDATE: Watch Lopez's full Council interview here:

Filed under: City Council, City Government, Elections

9 comments

Published Author RR Anderson December 17, 2013

dark horse
- thackerspeed December 20, 2013
  
  According to the Tacoma Weekly, Lopez was voted in unanimously. I'm not surprised. He structured his interview to show that his values are in lockstep with the Council. He favors maintaining, if not expanding social welfare programs. He views Tacoma not as some kind of intellectual or free market economic center of the Puget Sound Region, but with an eye toward Seattle utilizing a regional transit frame of reference. That's an Economic Logic concerned with taxpayer resources and who gets what, when, and how. He assured the Council that he would strive maintain the status quo of the police and firefighters, along with taxpayer funded programs for low income residents, and the arts community. He even mentioned that he would strive to sustain the dialogue concerning basic road maintenance, which in my view is a crisis that may never get solved--generally the longer people talk about a problem, the less chance somebody will take action to correct the problem. Meet the new Council. Same as the old Council.
  - thackerspeed December 20, 2013
    
    According to the Tacoma Weekly, Lopez was voted in unanimously. Various local media also informed the public that Ibsen recommended Jordan Rash to fill his council seat and serve District 1. If what the local media reported is true, then let's try to come to terms with the logic of the facts. I suggest viewing the psycho-logical facts. There is a psycho-logical consistency to the sequence of the following facts: Ibsen seeks and gains a council seat with the implied commitment to serve District 1. Ibsen breaks his commitment to District 1 under the pretense of heroic sacrifice. Ibsen recommends Jordan Rash to fill his council seat and serve District 1. Ibsen breaks his commitment to Jordan Rash and votes for Joseph Lopez. Jordan Rash serves District 1 under the pretense of heroic sacrifice. Ladies and whatever, in analyzing political communication, or say the work of a public relations counselor, how can we distinguish between the source of the message and the messenger? What responsibility do people have to tell us whether they actually constructed their own messages, or whether they were only delivering messages that someone had constructed for them?
  - Xeno December 22, 2013
    
    If you want to live in a Teapublican fantasy land I suggest the east side of the state. Tacoma doesn't seem right for you when those closest conservative district is Thoms' and it is pretty moderate at that. District 1 chose a progressive liberal for Council with Ibsen, and Lopez mirrors that choice.
    - thackerspeed December 23, 2013
      
      Some people in District 1 made a prejudiced choice. Last November, Ibsen revealed the limits of his understandings, skills, and ability to perform his elected duty to District 1. People will sometimes violate their own integrity.
      - Xeno December 23, 2013
        
        Despite your personal vendetta against Councilman Ibsen the district remains progressive.
        
        thackerspeed December 23, 2013
        
        Many people don't, can't, or won't think critically.
Xeno December 18, 2013

I'm proud to have Eugene Levy as my Councilperson!
thackerspeed December 19, 2013

At the 10-minute mark it would have been appropriate to blast an air horn.