Monday, February 26, 2007

Council President's Son Sues City

Seattle City Council President Nick Licata is working to improve pedestrian safety in the city. Meanwhile, his 18-year-old stepson is suing the city because of injuries to him when he was hit by a car on his way to catch a bus three years ago. He was in a coma for months and has permanent brain damage. Pedestrian safety becomes personal for councilman, Seattle Times, Feb. 24, 2007.

Licata isn't the only person in City Hall with a personal interest in pedestrian safety:

David Della's chief of staff, Tatsuo Nakata, was fatally struck by a motorist in November. Peter Steinbrueck was hit by a car at age 11, lapsed into a coma and spent a year mending a broken body. Jean Godden was nearly run over as a child and escaped with bruises.
Id. Following advice from Seattle's Ethics and Elections Commission, Licata may particate in Council discussions of pedestrian safety, but may not attend briefings by the Law Department concerning the City's litigation strategy and may not share confidential information he obtains as part of his Council work with his stepson. Lawsuit raises ethics issues, Seattle Times, Feb. 24, 2007.

Photo by Tina Ching. (I am using the photo to represent the issue of pedestrian safety generally, not any particular driver or pedestrian.)

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