Over budget, losing political support, losing state funds (due to 695), facing law-suits, facing increased competition for federal dollars, facing increased local opposition, lack of suitability of the bus tunnel, etc., etc., LINK now has started to become a divisive issue on the King County Council. Can melt-down be far behind?

King council delays decision on new transit term for Gates Federal Way council member advised to mend fences with Tukwila over light rail, then seek council's support (South King County Edition) King council delays decision on new transit term for Gates (Pierce, Thurston County Edition)

David Quigg;

South King County

Federal Way City Councilwoman Mary Gates came before a Metropolitan King County Council committee Wednesday and defended her record on the Sound Transit board, but she didn't lock up another term in the powerful regional transit post.

In fact, the committee opted to delay a vote on her reappointment for another two weeks. Gates' nomination unexpectedly stalled before the same committee last month.

Critics who want her off Sound Transit fault her for not backing Tukwila - a fellow South King County city - on a vote over the route for light rail.

Wednesday's postponement came at the request of a majority of the council's 13 members, said County Councilman Rob McKenna (R-Bellevue), chairman of the transportation committee.

-- Craig Carson (craigcar@crosswinds.net), January 13, 2000