How sad that truly creative governance is not possible? Unless one is unconcerned about running for re-election.

Witness interim King County Executive Kurt Triplett coming up with interesting ideas for solving real problems: handing off county parks to interested cities to help implement extreme budget cuts and considering asking for non-county funds to finance a work force to build up the levees along the Green River to contain floods expected because of problems with Howard Hanson Dam.

The latter move is of great interest to me and thousands of other citizens and scores of businesses that call the Green River Valley home. All we have heard so far has nothing to do with solving the problem, only what do before the roiling waters come – “Buy flood insurance”; “Buy our water-filled tube thingy that is ‘better than sandbags,’”; “Get a battery-operated radio.” And, the “helpful” suggestion from an Auburn City councilman on how to deal with the loss of sewer service: “Get a 5-gallon bucket.”

Three cheers for Executive Triplett. We may actually get some meaningful citizen services over the next several months. I wish that it could continue past his term.

– Len Elliott