David Brewster

The Seattle top-down model of building places for major arts institutions (opera, ballet, symphony, theatre, museum) may be a poor paradigm for an emerging city like Bellevue.

We are on track to a central Puget Sound region that could reach 10 million people in 25 years. That's a boatload of change to our social structure, environment, and congestion.

The meaning behind the name was "against the grain," as well as a Northwest forestry echo.

Important matters such as recruiting new players, setting a consistent style, ensemble sound, fundraising by the maestro, and staff retention are jeopardized by long leadership vacuums.

These multi-arts cultural centers were mostly created in the 1960s, as was Seattle Center, once home of the Ballet, the Opera, and (before it moved downtown) the Symphony. They are expensive to build and maintain, and hard to manage with so many independent organizations.

The journalist James Fallows has observed that journalism badly needs a "host body" to flow dollars to the project.

Just as the Vietnam War destroyed the chances for a coalition of New Democrats and Cold War Liberals, so this rupture over foreign policy will weaken Biden's chances and the once-bipartisan consensus over America's international role.

By my count, there are nine organizations currently lacking a permanent key leader at the top, and 16 local organizations with very new leadership. That's a lot to digest.

He clearly knew the town's cultural landscape and the groups to help, so his shortchanged career is another reason for the town to miss this effective, buoyant leader.

District elections are touted to help elect minorities and to bind the candidates closer to a district. In fact, they might discourage voting and lock in incumbents.