Yeah, I know, I know... This is the PORTLAND radio board. But enough of us are former Seattle-area residents that I figure it's OK to post this...

(From today's Seattle Times)

Former KIRO-TV anchor to run for King County Executive

Former KIRO-TV news anchor Susan Hutchison announced her candidacy this morning to succeed Ron Sims as King County executive.

Declaring that "our county's financial house is in disorder," Hutchison questioned the need for new taxes to close a projected $50 million budget deficit next year.

"We need a new direction in King County, with new leadership that does not believe the answer to every problem is a new fee or a higher tax," she said in a news release announcing her candidacy.

She will compete against three other declared candidates: Metropolitan King County Councilmembers Dow Constantine and Larry Phillips and state Rep. Fred Jarrett.

President Obama's announcement in February that he would nominate Sims for deputy secretary of housing and urban development has led to intense jockeying for the county's top administrative post. Sims plans to resign after his appointment is confirmed by the Senate — something his office doesn't expect to happen before late April or early May

Hutchison has been executive director of the Charles Simonyi Fund for Arts and Sciences since 2003, chairs the Seattle Symphony board of directors and sits on the boards of several other nonprofit organizations.

I would think this either belongs on the political section of this board, or on some other board altogether.

The ONLY connection this story has to broadcasting, and it's a flimsy connection at best, is that the subject of the story used to be on TV.

Simple waste of bandwidth in my opinion. Of course, your mileage may vary. But it shouldn't.

but at least it was posted in english, and wasn't self promoting....

<:'D <---- (party hat day)

This is the same woman who sued KIRO over age and gender discrimination. Never one of my favorite Seattle newsies...If former KING newsguy Mike James couldn't win, doubt she will.

Oh, and Outsider there ALWAYS is some connection...KIRO used to be seen in Vancouver!

other connections.... I read the post, I used to be in broadcasting, I applied for jobs at both KIRO and KING (numerous times) I've been to Oregon, worked in Portland, and have watched KIRO. And to tie it together, I've voted.

There's talk that Clear Channel has destroyed jammin, but we'll leave that for another thread.

;'D

One reason I posted it here is that I am assuming (could be wrong) that Brooks Burford at KEX worked with Susan when he was at KIRO-TV years ago...

"This is the same woman who sued KIRO over age and gender discrimination."

That's enough to make me want to see her go down in flames. She was probably just getting old and ugly.

And KIRO just got rid of Margo Myers and replaced her with a young, attractive female from Philly. Quite a record they seem to have going there at Ch. 7.

I guess when you're #3 in news, anything goes.

More connections. I once double-dated with Brooks Burford (well, not WITH Brooks!), but he was in the room. I better stop now.

Here's another connection: KIRO-TV was once owned by Bonneville who also owned KIRO-AM and KIRO-FM (and bought KIRO-AM back in '06), and KIRO-AM can be heard in PDX. So if the thread wasn't relevant before - it is now.

Paul Walker say, "If former KING newsguy Mike James couldn't win..."

But wait... remember KING-TV reporter Charlie Royer. He went on to win the little position of mayor of Seattle (1978-90, longer than anyone previous, I think). I also believe Royer was born in Oregon City, was a reporter at KGW or KOIN and took inspiration from legendary Portland broadcaster and Oregon governor, Tom McCall.

Anything is possible with the will to win, a lot of luck, and some moxie sprinkled in.

Dan, forgot about Mayor Charlie! His commentaries on KING-TV were aggressive, biting, and many times changed bad policies. And nothing personal against Susan Hutchison, but she ain't no Royer!

And Paul, didn't you and I both work briefly at KTAC around 1980? And I'm sure we both watched channel 7 from time to time. And I once turned down a job opportunity at KPAM. And interviewed with Jim Ryan. :-D

Here's another KIRO Portland connection: On December 8, 1941 just a day after the Attack on Pearl Harbor, all stations in the Pacific Northwest were silenced at 7:00pm, except for KIRO Seattle. On that night, the majority of Portland listeners were tuned to KIRO.

Charles Royer was one of two people ever fired by longtime KVAL 13 Eugene News Director, John Doyle. The other was Bryce Zabel, later of CNN, and of screenwriting fame. John Doyle did both of 'em favors by showing them the door.

You're right on, John! I worked with Susan during my 10 years at KIRO TV/Radio. She was plucked off Hawaiian television when GM Lloyd Cooney saw her on the telly in Honolulu.

I pray she comprehends the brain and soul draining inevitability of the position of King County Executive. A truly crazy county populated by truly screwy people.

And that is probaby WHY he showed them the door.

Small minds STAY in small markets, so the old saying goes.

( so I guess that makes me a small mind too LOL )

And speaking of Seattle TV folks who attempted a life in politics ... Brooks mentions longtime KIRO GM (and editorialist) Lloyd Cooney. As I recall, he eventually tried a run for the U.S. Senate himself, correct?

Oh wow, guys, this is like a Seattle time warp for me.

Peeta, yes. KTAC. Not one of my shining moments. Couldn't have been more than 19 at that point! I think Ric finally forgave me years later! I was very green and not very mature. Probably still not!

Lloyd Cooney at KIRO. He was really the "star" of the station even though his editorials came at the end of the 'cast!

John Doyle knew how to fire the "right" people, huh?

Brooks...too funny.

Here's another connection:

I was born and raised in Portland and have, on more than once occasion, listened to Seattle radio stations.

(Gee, this is fun. Who's next?)

Aw, come on Outsider, this IS fun! Besides, Oregon and Washington are basically the same place, except during college football season.

Speaking of which, after all the abuse Oregon State football and it's fans took during 28 straight losing seasos, who feels sorry that the Huskies lost every game last season?

Not me, that's for sure.

(BTW Paul, fun is how I meant my previous post.)

Four college alumni are climbing Mt. Hood. All are proclaiming loyalty to their alma mater. The alumni are from Notre Dame, USC, Oregon and Oregon State. They all brag how loyal they are to their schools as they climb higher and higher up the mountain. The Notre Dame alum gets there first, and full of pride, declares "This is for the Fighting Irish", and throws himself off the mountain to his doom. Not to be outdone, the USC grad says "This is for the Trojans", and likewise hurls himself off the mountain. Seeing this, the Oregon State grad says "Go Beavers!", and pushes the Duck off the cliff.

laughing hysterically

Bwahahahahahahahahha!

Thanks Paul.

Go Beavers!

Paul, don't worry about Ric...he's always been a great guy and probably forgave you very quickly. And besides, your departure gave me more on-air work! LOL.

Peetah, yah, I worked with Ric again at KPLZ and he was cool. Didn't you end up in Denver for awhile?

I did indeed. In fact, since the mid-80s I've been back and forth between Denver and Seattle, except for a brief gig in Dallas. I'm currently working for Dial-Global here in The Mile High City. Not sure but I think we have an affiliate in Astoria and/or perhaps Newport. Or Seaside. Guess I should look into that. LOL. Where exactly are you these days Paul?

Peetah, I'm in Id-ee-ho. Spent some time in the Chicago suburbs, but missed the west.

I love how all the Seattle people come here for fun and ignore Radio-Info.

Are you the "Peetah" of whom Bette Davis always spoke?

Perhaps becuase this is a much better site than radio-info, thanks to Dan Packard.

As one of those Seattle people I've got say "Yes!" to that. I read radio-info.com but pdxradio.com is a much better site. (Thanks, Dan!) And I wish someone with Craig's knowledge and resources would do a series on the history of Seattle radio stations. (Did KJR really start in a garage in W. Seattle?") Maybe someday....

I always found radio info rude. Make a comment get crushed, seek to network, get rude feedback, express an opinion, get chewed up and spit out.

hard to just shoot radio talk without having someone piss in the stew.

Peetah... Peetah.... Peetah.... So, whatever DID happen to baby Jane?

"Are you the "Peetah" of whom Bette Davis always spoke?"

I'm getting along in years - as we all are - but certainly not a contemporary of Ms. Davis! LOL. Although I was in the audience of the Tonight Show for her last appearance.