Editorial: Open Sound Transit CEO hiring to public review

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By The Herald Editorial Board

Like the conductor of a 19th-century steam train watching speed and schedules — all the while with an eye peeled for obstacles and coal consumption — Sound Transit needs a chief executive who can manage similar complexities as the regional transit agency extends its Link light rail service and other transit services in a three-county area over the next two decades.

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The job of Sound Transit’s CEO is consequential; with a salary to match, possibly as much as $675,000 annually, compared to that of the governor’s $234,000 salary and that of state Supreme Court justices at $269,000.

Later this month, the office of Sound Transit’s chief executive is expected to have a new conductor, selected by Sound Transit’s board of directors, 18 individuals who serve elected positions as city and county officials.

In recent weeks, however, concern has grown regarding a process that has been conducted by that board and its executive search committee in executive — nonpublic — sessions and without a chance for public notice of final candidates or review and comment; with one exception. In mid-February, Dow Constantine, King County executive and a former chair of the Sound Transit board confirmed he was one of five finalists for the position, following the release of Constantine’s name by Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers, who serves as chairman of the agency board. Earlier, Constantine had recused himself from any decision-making role regarding the next CEO, including service on a seven-member executive committee, six of whom will make a recommendation to the full board.

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At least two transit advocacy groups — Seattle Subway and the Transit Riders Union — have raised two tracks of concern; one about the opaque process and the other regarding consideration of Constantine among the finalists, specifically for a potential conflict of interest in considering the political official for the position.

https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/editorial-open-sound-transit-ceo-hiring-to-public-review/