Special K movers, shakers take on hot issues, candidates

[icymist]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2001913605_specialk27e.html


Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - Page updated at 12:00 A.M.

Special K movers, shakers take on hot issues, candidates

By Warren Cornwall
Seattle Times Eastside bureau

At the back of Coco's Bakery Restaurant in Bellevue lies a room that, in recent months, has become a pilgrimage site for aspiring politicians.
Candidates for Congress and state office walk through the sliding doors, sit in mauve- and teal-colored chairs, sip weak coffee and field questions from a little-known group of Eastside business leaders and elected officials.

"I've got the crosshairs right here," declared Republican state Sen. Luke Esser, pointing to his forehead, as he walked into the room one recent day to talk about his congressional bid.

People won't see news coverage of what Esser said. A reporter and photographer were shooed from the room before the meeting began. Only members or invited guests can get into a meeting of the group known as Special K.

<snip>

Esser was the third candidate for the 8th Congressional District to appear there this year. Gubernatorial candidates Rossi, an Eastside Republican, and Christine Gregoire, the Democratic state attorney general, are on the schedule in coming weeks. U.S. Rep. George Nethercutt, the Republican challenger to U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, is coming.

(much more)

[icymist]

1. Unfettered access to our politicians to an elect group?

<snip>

Members-only rule

The group's quiet presence and members-only rule evokes quips about secret societies and special handshakes from some Special K members.

"I deny the existence of anything by that name other than a breakfast cereal," People joked when first asked about the group.

Despite his run-ins with members, Bozeman doesn't see anything improper about Special K.

"Any time people get together and talk about what's best for the city, that's a good thing," he said.

Freeman makes no apologies about the group's political presence. Civic groups headed by local business people have made vital contributions to other communities, such as backing the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, he said. He sees Special K as a way for business people to stay involved in local public affairs.

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I get the feeling that whoever is running this group is allowing these "business" people special access to our elected officials. Does anybody see anything wrong with this?

[progressivebydesign]

2. Ah typical.. a bunch of middle aged white guys... how novel.

Just think if these self-important, me-first guys actually put that effort into.. say.. community service, instead of self-aggrandizing and self-serving political preening.. what a wonderful world it would be.