There are good reasons that you’re familiar with—or at least should be familiar with—these 20 individuals and families. After years (or, in the case of some, decades) of what is frequently termed “public service” or “civic duty,” they have accrued extraordinary influence, extraordinary reputations, and in some cases extraordinary fortunes. They command respect from allies and enemies alike. They’re who mayors and governors call when they need a little advice. Their names frequently appear in Jean Godden’s column. They eat at nice restaurants, wear good clothes, and get great parking spaces.
Technically speaking, they are outside the system; while many maintain first-name relationships with elected officials, currently none is serving as one. In a very real sense, though, they are the system. Little of economic or political significance goes down in Seattle without their help, approval, or, at the very least, their knowledge. They gladly consent to become the public faces of community projects, many of which (professional sports stadiums, international commerce centers, high-end cultural facilities) benefit some communities more than others. As the “public-private partnership” increasingly becomes the favored way of doing things in Seattle, look for these people to figure out better ways to take care of business while ostensibly taking care of the public.
