Letter to Employees

10/27/04

Dear Friend:

Monday night, Seattle lost a great civic leader.

George Benson, who died at the age of 85, was a fundamentally decent human being who represented something important in public life: the belief that citizens should always find an open door.

He was a city councilmember for 20 years, and his first priority was always to solve people’s problems. He was there for anyone who asked for his help; he also went out to meet people in their neighborhoods and businesses.

He was a passionate advocate for public transit, and expanded it throughout the city and the county. While he served on the old Metro Council, he started the waterfront trolley. During construction of the downtown transit tunnel, he walked the route, knocking on doors and solving the problems of affected businesspeople and residents.

I first met Councilmember Benson at Mission Pharmacy on Capitol Hill when I was 13. Throughout my childhood and my career, I watched him treat every person he met with decency and respect.

Throughout city government, there are people who will remember George. We honor his life by serving the people of this great city.

Sincerely,

GREG NICKELS
Mayor