Dear Neighbors:

I remain committed to improving the performance of our Elections Department after the troubles of the 2004 election. This week I introduced legislation with Councilmember Julia Patterson to ensure that the Council is acting upon the numerous recommendations of national experts and local citizen review panels who examined our Elections Department in the past year. For example, as Chair of the Capital Budget Committee, I am working towards consolidation of our election facilities for greater efficiencies.

As Chair of the Law and Justice Committee, I know that the King County is fortunate to have a dedicated group of deputies who serve our community with honor every day. Recent allegations of deputy misconduct in the local media, however, are troubling. I am spearheading a thoughtful and deliberative process to create fair civilian oversight of the Sheriff's Office, and my recent survey to constituents demonstrates overwhelming support for civilian oversight. Details below.

On a lighter note, one of my passions is the game of chess. Recently, I played against 15 King County jail inmates...all at the same time. It was great fun and very rewarding. To find out how I fared, read on!

Update! Ferguson - Patterson Proposal for Sheriff's Office Civilian Oversight

Bob meets with concerned citizens at the recent town hall meeting.

Like many of you, I am following the ongoing Seattle P-I investigation "Conduct Unbecoming" regarding alleged deputy misconduct in the King County Sheriff's Office. Recent articles detailing retaliation by deputies against citizens who file complaints with the Sheriff's Office are particularly troubling. I am concerned that deputy misconduct is impacting the public safety of our neighborhoods and unfairly tainting the overwhelming majority of deputies who serve our community with honor.

As Chair of the Law and Justice Committee, I am holding a series of hearings on Sheriff's Department oversight. Some of the best advice, of course, comes from the community. In order to gauge pubic opinion, I recently hosted a Town Meeting on oversight. More than 250 citizens packed a high school cafeteria in Kenmore to talk with me and King County Sheriff Sue Rahr.

I also sent surveys--as part of my regular electronic and hardcopy newsletters--to thousands of citizens in my district. Granted, survey results are unscientific but the results still proved interesting. A few highlights from the 484 respondents:

• 77% support civilian oversight
• 63% support an elected Sheriff over an appointed one
• 75% want previous allegations of misconduct highlighted in recent news reports to be reopened and reviewed

In the News:

"Packed House" Provides Councilmember Ferguson with Critical Public Input on Sheriff's Office Reforms -- April 5, 2006

Sheriff Rahr grilled at public meeting -- Seattle PI, April 5, 2006

Action Plan for Election Reform

Last year, Julia Patterson and I proposed a comprehensive, independent audit of King County Elections to identify recommendations for reforms and analyze best practices nationwide. In addition to the audit, two separate citizen panels reviewed the Elections Department and issued reports.

These reports noted that King County Elections has improved, but also highlighted essential reforms that remain to be implemented.

Councilmember Patterson and I recently teamed up again. We introduced legislation this week calling for specific reform measures, many of which are recommended by the reports mentioned above, and establishing a detailed timeline by which the Council will take action. Citizens deserve to know what is left to accomplish and that the County Council has a plan for implementing these key reforms. These reforms include:

• Consolidating elections into one facility
• Improving ballot security
• improving voter registration records
• Reactivating the Citizens Election Oversight Committee
• Hiring a management consulting firm to assist the Director of Records, Elections and Licensing Services to improve the organizational structure and culture of the Elections Department
• Hiring a firm with elections expertise to oversee the implementation of other recommendations from citizen groups and election experts
• Deciding on a policy to move to all-mail elections

This legislation will ensure that the important recommendations resulting from three separate outside reviews do not gather dust on the shelf.

I Love a Good Game of Chess!

Recently, I had the chance to visit the King County jail and compete against 15 inmates in a chess match--all at the same time. I played 15 opponents simultaneously, which means my opponents had more time think about their strategies as I circled around making moves on all the other boards.

After about 90 minutes of tough competition and some good-natured ribbing, I ended up winning more than I lost. But mostly it was a great opportunity to visit with inmates, share the love of the game, and see the inside of our criminal justice system.

Many years ago I briefly played professional chess, but in recent years have limited my involvement to coaching grade school and high school students. I hope to play another round with the inmates next year.

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Mailing Address: King County Courthouse, 516 Third Avenue, Room 1200, Seattle, WA 98104-3272