http://www.centraldistrictnews.com/2009/11/06/mcginns-lead-grows

On election night, a trenchant analysis predicted that:

Although the mayoral race is very close, it's gotta be good news for McGinn. He's had momentum in the last couple of weeks, so Mallahan votes are probably over-represented in the early results. Plus, I think it's safe to assume that younger, more liberal voters will mail their ballots later than others, further increasing his chances.

So far that's looking to be true, as McGinn's lead in the mayor's race grew by almost 2,000 votes, putting him ahead 50.3% to 48.9%.

There's still 130,000 votes left to be counted in the election, with the next set of results to be released at 4:30pm on Monday.

http://www.centraldistrictnews.com/2009/11/06/person-of-interest-in-critical-condition-at-harborview

Our newspartners at The Seattle Times are reporting that the "person of interest" in last weekend's police murder is in critical condition at Harborview with a wound to the head. 

They've also proven that having sources and their phone numbers is much more productive than waiting for media briefings at crime scenes. As we reported earlier today, SPD detectives were in Tukwila to investigate a tip from a citizen in Officer Brenton's murder:

The person who tipped police to the car said the man had only recently covered it and had been acting bizarrely, according to a law enforcement source.

The wounded man apparently has no felony history. He had recently laid off from his job as a security guard, according to the source.

The shooting happened just as the memorial service for Brenton was ending at Seattle's KeyArena. Many of the officers who attended the memorial immediately left when they got word of the shooting, some rushing to Tukwila.

The Times is also reporting that two other men have been detained, and that they may have ties to the person of interest.

Read the whole story at SeattleTimes.com 

Update: And now the 41 year old suspect is named in an update to the Seattle Times story:

Records show he was a student at Highline Community College. An adviser there said he was interested in criminal justice.

[The suspect] apparently has no felony history though he was caught speeding twice in Snohomish County, once inSeptember 2007 and again in March this year. Most recently he worked as a security guard, although he was recently laid off, according to source.

So far it seems like SPD's psychological profile pretty much nailed this guy.

Update x2: SeattleCrime.com has found a photo of the suspect from the Highline Student Newspaper.

Update x3: From a 2007 UW newsletter describing a paper produced by the suspect:

Major: Law Society and Justice

University Name: University of Washington

Year at university: Senior

Graduate Degree interest: History/Political Science

Project Title: “ The Power of Citizenship your Government doesn’t want You to know about. How to change the inequity of the Criminal Justice System immediately, through Active Citizen Nullification of Laws, as a Juror

Faculty Mentor/Department: Dr. Katherine Beckett, Political Science

Abstract This study seeks to illuminate and further the relatively unknown legal scholarship of Professor Paul Butler, in the area of Jury Nullification. My objectives are three fold. (1.) To explain in detail what jury Nullification is. (2.) Inform fellow citizens as to the history of Jury Nullification both Conceptual and Actual. (3.) Give clear succinct descrip- tions of a Citizens Rights, Duties and Protections with regards to effectuating change, through said Jury Nullifica- tion. I believe that once citizens are enlightened as to the extent of their individual power. These enlightened citizens cannot help but spread their knowledge to others, effectuating positive change at an exponential rate. Much like the elation and excitement of the young eaglet, that realizes it can fly for the first time.

Update x4: A brief statement from SPD:

On November 6^th at approximately 2:50 p.m. Seattle Police Homicide detectives were involved in a shooting in the 13700 block of 56^th Avenue South in Tukwila. No detectives were injured. 

The Tukwila Police Department is in command of the scene. The King County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit is conducting the officer-involved shooting investigation. 

The Seattle Police Department is in the process of obtaining search warrants to further examine the crime scene. Our investigation into the murder of Officer Tim Brenton and attempted murder of Officer Britt Sweeney continues.  

We will send out an advisory in advance of a media briefing, maybe as early as tomorrow.

http://www.centraldistrictnews.com/2009/11/07/tukwila-spd-was-following-up-on-a-tip

The scene here is filled with cops, including the large vans used by
the SPD bomb squad, which just drive up the hill toward the apartment
complex where the man was shot and where a vehicle still sits,
shrouded by a tarp.

SPD media officers also arrived a short time ago, so we're hoping to
get additional details soon.

http://www.centraldistrictnews.com/2009/11/06/tukwila-spd-was-following-up-on-a-tip

I just arrived in Tukwila, where spokesman Mike Murphy says that spd
detectives had responded this afternoon to follow up on a citizens tip
in the murder of Officer Tim Brenton. They contacted a suspect who
"got boxed in" and produced a weapon. Officers then opened fire,
striking the suspect.

Murphy says that the victim was alive when he left the scene and is
now at Harorview.

More as we get it.

5:24PM -

The scene here is filled with cops, including the large vans used by the SPD bomb squad, which just drive up the hill toward the apartment complex where the man was shot and where a vehicle still sits, shrouded by a tarp. SPD media officers also arrived a short time ago, so we're hoping to get additional details soon.

5:28PM - Tukwila: spd was following up on a tip - Key question via http://seattlecrime.com - where was the vehicle
registered? Jonah says only five such vehicles registered to men in Wa state

5:49PM - No new updates - Not any new info here. Just waiting in the rain for an SPD media briefing

6:08PM - CSI - the spd CS. Vans just went up the hill towards the "apartments if interest." otherwise, I'm just chatting with the guys from The Kent Reporter

6:22PM - No Schedule - Officer down here relays that PIOs are "busy with the investigation" and have no schedule for a briefing. May have press release soon though

6:59PM - 2nd suspect arrested? - KIRO radio reporting that a second person of interest was arrested in Federal Way. In the meantr, cdnews is bailing from tukwila due to no info, rain, and dying iPhone

7:23PM - Seattle Times - Our friends at the Seattle Times have really good coverage on today's developments. The Times quotes law-enforcement sources who say that the suspect was recently laid off from his job as a security guard, had been "acting bizarrely", and had recently covered his vehicle.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010220077_webtukwila06m.html

http://www.centraldistrictnews.com/2009/11/06/person-of-interest-shot-by-police-in-tukwila

There's a massive police response down in Tukwila, where Tukwila police are reporting that a "person of interest" in Officer Brenton's shooting was shot by police while they were there serving a warrant.

This started about 25 minutes after the conclusion of Brenton's memorial at Key Arena.

TV chopper coverage is showing a covered vehicle in the parking lot of the apartment complex where today's shooting occurred, and it appears to be of the shape and size of a Datsun 210, the suspect vehicle in the Halloween shooting.

SPD homicide personnel are said to be on the scene in Tukwila, but so far SPD isn't talking about what might be going on.

More as we get it. We're headed to the scene for more.

The Seattle Times is reporting the suspect was shot in the head. Reports are that the suspect has been transported to Harborview. Seattle Crime is reporting that the man has died. that the man survived the shooting.

Tukwila police have said that two other people have been taken into custody in the incident.

http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/11/06/mcginn-slightly-widens-lead/

http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=9508

Update: King County dropped more ballots at 7:30, nearly doubling McGinn’s lead again to 2384. The numbers tonight:

Mike McGinn – 85,416 – 50.31%
Joe Mallahan – 83,032 – 48.91%

Previously: Mike McGinn has more than doubled his lead over Joe Mallahan from yesterday’s ballot drop, according to the King County elections department, and now leads by a margin of 1,209 votes.

Mayor of Seattle
Mike McGinn – 75,657 – 49.99%
Joe Mallahan – 74,448 – 49.19%

Publicola reports that 51.4% of the ballots went for McGinn compared to 48.0% for Mallahan, possibly indicating a late surge for McGinn. King County will release another drop of ballots tonight between 9pm and 10pm according to their elections blog.

Just before the results were posted today, Dominic Holden on the Slog posted statistics from the McGinn campaign showing that the ballots remaining to be counted are trending younger — a trend that favors McGinn.

This is an open thread regarding the mayoral election.

http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/11/06/pierce-transit-to-end-sale-of-ticket-books/

http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=9500

On Monday evening, the Pierce County Board of Commissioners will hold a hearing on ending sale of ticket books to the general public effective January 1.  This is obviously a casualty of the ORCA rollout, and would sadly mean the end of the buy-10-get-one-free deal these books offered.  From the press release:

Tickets would still be available for sale to human/social service providers, school districts and administrators of the Pierce County Superior Court Juror Ticket Program.

These groups would be able to purchase:

• Regular adult tickets for $1.75 each

• Discounted tickets for $0.75 each for use by youth, senior citizens, individuals with disabilities and individuals with a valid Medicare card…

Human/social service providers, schools and the Pierce County Superior Court would be required to preorder and prepay for tickets.

Board meetings usually begin at 4:00 p.m. and are held in the Main Training Room (The Rainier Room) on the first floor of Pierce Transit’s Training Center, Building 5, directly across 96th Street from our Maintenance Base.  Address: 3720 96th St SW, Lakewood, WA.

According to spokesperson Rochelle Ogershok, Metro has no plans to discontinue ticket book sales.

http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/11/06/eastside-rail-corridor-soon-to-be-in-public-hands/

http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=9493

Sound Transit has just announced a partnership with several other agencies and governments to keep the eastside rail corridor in public ownership. This purchase would allow King County and Redmond to move forward with trail projects, and secure portions of the right of way necessary for East Link.

In Sound Transit’s statement of interest in the Memorandum of Understanding, they’ve called out both the southern portion (for the C portion of East Link) and the Redmond spur (for the E portion of East Link, where funding only exists for study and some right of way acquisition), so they’re thinking ahead.

The purchase itself is expected to be complete by the end of the year.

http://www.centraldistrictnews.com/2009/11/06/memorial-for-officer-brenton

The doors have been open for an hour now at Key Arena. I found this man waving a flag from the top of the pavilion near the arena:

12:16PM - Memorial for Officer Brenton - Mountees outside the arena:

12:18PM - Memorial for Officer Brenton - There's no lines to get in, and quick security if you don't have a bag

12:23PM - Memorial for Officer Brenton - Seating for the public is in sections 104 and 106 at the back of the
arena. It's about 1/3 full so far.




1:00PM - Memorial for Officer Brenton - The program is opening with a statement from Deputy Chief Kimerer and
a Posting Of Colors from the Regional Honor Guard.

Other speakers include Chief Diaz, Mayor Nickels, Gov. Gregoire, and
former Chief Kerlikowski




1:03PM - Memorial for Officer Brenton - Kimerer: "we are in this arena today as a symbol of respect... And a
way to find meaning in an unconscionable act"

"we will grieve over a life cut short"

"he achieved what we all strive for, to live a life of meaning and
honor"


1:06PM - Memorial for Officer Brenton - The honor guard has entered to a bugle call, echoing voice commands,
and a snare drum. They're frming up in a lie down the middle and on
each side of the floor, composed of members of many different law
enorcement agencies from throughout the region.


1:15PM - Memorial for Officer Brenton - Officer Brenton's family was just led into the arena, and escorted
down the middle row as the honor guard saluted on each side. They were
followed by about two dozen officers from the East Precinct, and all
took their seats in front of the podium.

Now a band of bagpipes and drums have entered the arena, slowly
marching up to the front of podium.





1:24PM - Memorial for Officer Brenton - An amazing rendition of the national anthem by the SPD Women's Trio.

They also sang Oh Canada in honor of the numerous Canadian mountees
and other officers in attendance.





1:32PM - Memorial for Officer Brenton - Officer Brenton's cap sits on a small table in the middle if the
stage, flanked by folded US and Wasington State flags.

The honor guard is now leaving the floor to the beat if a snare drum,
and the invocation by Chaplain John Oas is next.


1:38PM - Memorial for Officer Brenton - "he comes from a family of public servants"

His father designed the SPD badge.

Officer Brenton served in the Gulf War, saw the Berlin Wall torn diwn
while serving in Germany, and was on the East Precinct Anti-Crime team
before returning to patrol as a training officer.


1:44PM - Memorial for Officer Brenton - Diaz: "we lost a great police officer"

"his life was cut short last Saturday s a cruel and cowardly attack"

"freedom and justice don't just happen. It takes men and women of
justice to ensure and protect those values"

Field Training Officer "one if the most important roles in any police
department", and their feedback is one of the biggest factors to
whether a trainee is allowed to become a full-time officer.





1:47PM - Memorial for Officer Brenton - "As a community, we can never forget the sacrifice that Timothy gave"

"a great man, a great law enforcement officer, and a wonderful husband
and father"


1:54PM - Memorial for Officer Brenton - Mayor Nickels: "a despicable and evil act"

"a home grown hero... He always wanted to be a Seattle police officer
like his dad"

"1,300 men and women of spd leave their homes each day, with their
families not knowing if they will make it back home"

Ms. Brenton "wants everyone to know how the outpouring of support has
helped them"

"let us remember we are all in this together"

No matter which man wins the mayors race, neither will be able to give
a speech like Nickels.


1:57PM - Memorial for Officer Brenton - Gov Gregoire: "our law enforcement community protects all if us each
day"

"putting on a uniform is an act of courage every day"







1:59PM - Memorial for Officer Brenton - An officer just escorted Gov. Gregoire off the stage, carrying the
folded WA state flag, which was presented to Mrs. Brenton.


2:02PM - Memorial for Officer Brenton - Kerlikowski: "he died doing what he loved"


2:13PM - Memorial for Officer Brenton - Officer Evan Ehring, worked with Tim since 12/2000: "he wasn't the pat
me on the back because I'm a hero type"

At a big key arena disturbance: shots fired, Brenton acted quick to
protect a woman from danger.

Driving not his best skill. "one night we were chasing an SUV but we
lost it because Tim was driving"

After finding the SUV, Tim pulled out a weapon. Kid said it wasn't
his, Tim said "oh yeah, that's mine" and put it back in his holster.


2:24PM - Memorial for Officer Brenton - Officer Eugene Shubeck:

Worked with Tim in LaConner. A resident asked them to kick his door in
because he was locked out. Tim had never done that before, and but did
a "perfect Hollywood style" door kick right through a hollow door.

In army, Brenton was in the US Airborne as a forward communications
specialist.

Tim talked him into applying at SPD. They got their badges on the same
day.

"I'll remember Tim as my friend. I'm glad he was my friend. And i'm
glad his family will remain my friend"


2:38PM - Memorial for Officer Brenton - Lots of sniffles in the crowd as a video plays with snapshots of
Officer Brenton's family and career.


2:52PM - Memorial for Officer Brenton - The benediction has been given, and the honor guard has filed back
onto the floor of the arena.

Bagpipes are playing again in the front-left corner next to the stage,
and room has been left in the center aisle for the family to be
escorted out.

We're told that a 21-gun salute will follow from the passageway above
the stage.





3:04PM - Memorial for Officer Brenton - The head of the SPD honor guard has taken the folded US flag from its
spot in the stage, and six other members of the guard are unfolding it
very slowly.

The audience is dead quiet with the exception of the occasional sniffle.

The flag was then held straight across at an angle that made it
visible to the audience, and then folded back into it's triangular
shape by the honor guard, saluted, and taken down for presentation to
the Brenton family.


3:17PM - Memorial for Officer Brenton - Bugels just played taps, echoing from opposite sides of the arena.

Then a dispatcher came on the PA, announcing "George 13... George
13... George 13 is 950. Gone, but never forgotten"

The pall-bearers then led the family back out of the arena.


3:21PM - Memorial for Officer Brenton - "let us go forth in peace, honoring the memory of Officer Timothy
Brenton by taking care of one another"

The service is now concluded.

http://www.centraldistrictnews.com/2009/11/06/officer-brentons-procession-a-photo-gallery

Here's some additional photos from officer Brenton's funeral procession:

http://www.centraldistrictnews.com/2009/11/06/procession-for-officer-brenton

Lucas is near Montlake and says that police are starting to clear the
road there, preparing for the start of the procession honoring Officer
Tim Brenton.

I'm standing at 20th and Madison in the sunshine, and so far both
Madison and 23rd are still open to traffic. Police and traffic
officers are standing ready at all of the intersections, ready to stop
traffic when the time comes.

Small groups if people have started to line up along the route,
including about ten folks on the corner outside safeway.

You can follow us live here on CDNews or in Twitter @cdnlive

9:27AM - Procession for Officer Brenton - The procession has begun, and traffic is now shut down on Madison.

9:30AM - Procession for Officer Brenton - A sea of cars lined up at Husky Stadium:


9:33AM - Procession for Officer Brenton - Quite a few families are out along the route now:

9:37AM - Procession for Officer Brenton - The procession is now headed up Madison:


9:42AM - Procession for Officer Brenton - We're told that the procession was led by the family, with Officer
Brenton's fellow George Sector squad members in the patrol cars behind
that.

9:43AM - Procession for Officer Brenton - We're now seeing officers from all over the region, from as far
Kootenai County Idaho

9:48AM - Procession for Officer Brenton - The number of participants in this is amazing. We've seen a lot more
cars from out of state, from federal agenicies, and various tribal
governments such as the Collvilles.


9:53AM - Procession for Officer Brenton - Quite a few neighbors have turned out for the procession, with 6-10
people on each corner of this intersection at 18th & Madison.

We're also hearing that part of the procession has stopped at the
funeral home on Broadway.

9:55AM - Procession for Officer Brenton - Fire crews standing along the route at 17th:


9:57AM - Procession for Officer Brenton - Rounding the corner to Pine St.:

9:58AM - Procession for Officer Brenton - A woman says thank-you:

10:04AM - Procession for Officer Brenton - Fire crews line the intersection at 12th & Pine, across from the East
Precinct:

10:10AM - Procession for Officer Brenton - A lot of people are out along the route on Pine St:

10:14AM - Procession for Officer Brenton - The end of the procession has now reached 12th & Pine:

http://thisisindexed.com/2009/11/piranhas-chainsaws-wolves-knives-whatnot/

http://thisisindexed.com/?p=12374

http://www.centraldistrictnews.com/2009/11/06/full-coverage-for-todays-procession-and-memorial

Our CDNews and CHS crews are planning full coverage for today's procession and memorial for fallen officer Tim Brenton.

We'll have live updates here and at http://capitolhillseattle.com throughout the day, starting with the procession that is scheduled to leave UW at 9am. The route will take them up 23rd/24th, and west on Madison to Pine St, along the northern border of the CD. See the full map here: http://spdblotter.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Mem

Doors to the memorial will open at 11am at Key Arena, with the service starting at 1pm. Expect tight security and some delays getting in to the building.

Both events are open to the public, and everyone us encouraged to attend.

For those that can't attend, we'll be providing frequent updates and photos both here on the site and at our http://twitter.com/cdnlive Twitter account.

http://www.centraldistrictnews.com/2009/11/06/crazy-weather-strikes-the-cd

I don't think I've ever heard such a loud clap of thunder. The 7:15am lightning strike must have been just a few blocks away, and an
apparent casualty was the phone system, as the CDNews DSL is down and refusing to come back after reboots and cursing at th hardware.

The good news is that power is restored to the CD/Leschi/Madrona area after a multi-hour outage early this morning, also caused by lighthning. City Light says the boundaries were Pike St in the north, King St. on the south, 23rd Ave on the west, and Lake Washington to the east.

The heavy rains also appear to have overwhelmed some leaf-clogged storm drains. Let us know in the comments below if you've suffered any localized flooding.

http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/11/05/metro-reroutes-for-friday-mornings-procession/

http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=9462

To accommodate Friday morning’s procession for slain officer Timothy Brenton, King County Metro has released the rerouted detours for all routes that will be affected by lie in the path of the procession, which is expected to last from 9am to 11am.  However, traffic is expected to be affected as early as 8am and as late as 1pm.  As far as we know, Metro has not made a clear update linking to all of the reroutes, so we’ve taken the liberty of identifying all of them (pdf).*

[UPDATE: 11:28am] *The procession is now over and Metro has pulled most, if not all, of the reroutes.  A statement was issued:

[UPDATE: 6:53am] Metro has added information about the shuttle and more reroutes.  Commenter Transit Supervisor was also kind enough to post specific information about the Queen Anne Shuttle:

- From 2/Clay, via 3 Av, Broad St, Western Av, Western Av W, 2 Av W, via Rt 1 to Kinnear, via the wire to the Rt 2 terminal, continues as inbound 2 to Queen Anne/Galer, left on Queen Anne via Rt 13 to SPU. Opposite in reverse, except that the motor coach will follow regular Rt 1 routing SB on Queen Anne Av N. NB signed “W Queen Anne via SHUTTLE” and SB signed as “To Seattle Center West”

- The other is the Rt 4 Night/Sun routing between the top of the hill and 5 Av N & Valley St. Signed NB “4 E Queen Anne via Nite/Sun Rt” and SB “To Seattle Center East”

See the list of links to individual bus routes below the jump.

• Metro Transit 1, 2, 3, 4, 13, & Shuttle Service
• Metro Transit 5
• Metro Transit 8
• Metro Transit 9
• Metro Transit 10
• Metro Transit 11
• Metro Transit 12
• Metro Transit 14
• Metro Transit 15
• Metro Transit 16
• Metro Transit 17
• Metro Transit 18
• Metro Transit 24 & 33
• Metro Transit 25
• Metro Transit 26 & 28
• Metro Transit 30
• Metro Transit 43 & 44
• Metro Transit 48
• Metro Transit 49
• Metro Transit 60
• Metro Transit 66
• Metro Transit 70
• Metro Transit 71, 72, & 73
• Metro Transit 255 & Sound Transit 545
• Metro Transit 271 & Sound Transit 540 & 556
• Metro Transit 358

[UPDATE:] There are also a number of routes that simply cross the path of the procession but will not be rerouted.  There are too many for us to list so if your bus crosses the route anywhere on this map, it’s a good idea to either plan for delays, walk, or just stay at home.

If you use any of these routes in your commute tomorrow morning, we strongly advise you to make travel preparations beforehand.  Congestion is expected to be severe anywhere near the procession route.  Keep in mind that since a lot of these bus routes lie in the direct path of the procession, major detours may take you far away from your destination, so plan accordingly.

http://hugeasscity.com/2009/11/06/retail-therapy/

http://hugeasscity.com/?p=3109

>>>

Instead of staring at the screen all day waiting for the next King County ballot drop, why not do a little online shopping?  Especially since the fine folks at Noisetank have just launched a highly anticipated new line of designer t-shirts for the discerning urbanist.

Don’t believe it?  CLICK HERE and be amazed at the ease with which you can acquire your own little piece of hugeasscity cachet.  Yes, and what’s more, you will feel righteous knowing that all profits go directly to me.  Cause haven’t I been good to y’all these past two years?

Not that this is about profits.  No no no, this is about what we Americans do best:  branding.

http://www.centraldistrictnews.com/2009/11/05/thurs-press-conference-qa

After the big news of vehicle photos and suspect profile, today's press conference settled down into the usual Q/A session. Here's what we learned:

Tips: Detectives are working 24 hours a day, have received almost 270 tips so far

Other police work is happening: Body found in South Seattle yesterday, detectives made an arrest last night

Why a male suspect? "Based on some behavior we can't discuss right now, but we don't know who"

Did you work up this profile? Yes, with state, federal, and SPD experts

Why do you think this person wants to be heard? "I think that every person has a conscious" and they may not have understood what a good guy they were killing

Officers carrying big weapons? Numerous officers are approved to carry special weapons, no additional ones are being issued.

Profile includes evidence from 10/22 arson? No - only the murder case

'79-82 Datsun is a rare vehicle. What's going on to identify those around the state? "Expending a lot of human resource to identify through all of the licensing bureaus, bills of sale."

Why do you think a small group may be involved? Don't want to exclude anything, and single actors sometimes discuss things with other people

Think the suspect is still in the area? No idea where he is right now

Security an issue at memorial? It's been very well thought out in a way to protect the people who attend the memorial

Concerned about vigilantes? Always a concern, but strongly encourage anyone else to call 911 if they see the vehicle or have information

How seriously are you taking threats? The thing in Ballard last night was from a guy who had been drinking, and was quickly cleared. But they're taking any threat seriously

What should people be prepared for at the memorial? Get there early. And get where you want to be before 9am.

http://xkcd.com/659/

http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/11/05/mcginn-mallahan-in-dead-heat/

http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=9455

The election for Mayor of Seattle shows little hope of being resolved in a timely matter. Today’s ballot drop reveals that a small 515-vote lead puts Mike McGinn narrowly ahead of Joe Mallahan. From yesterday’s results, that is a net 53-vote gain for McGinn out of more than 25,000 ballots counted since then.

Mayor of Seattle
Mike McGinn – 65,172 – 49.78%
Joe Mallahan – 64,657 – 49.38%

The common wisdom on election day that McGinn was an underdog, but his grassroots campaign had a noticeably better ground game and a stronger get out to vote operation that is likely contributing to his impressive showing. Transit advocates should be pleasantly surprised by McGinn’s continuing fortune — Seattle Transit Blog endorsed him earlier in the general election season after Mayor Nickels was ousted in the primary.

Publicola reports that some 4,700 county ballots have been dropped due to signature discrepancies. (We remind people to check that their ballot was processed and be sure to return calls from the King County elections department.) These ballots could be party to any dispute between the campaigns if the election remains this tight. Speaking of, the King County Votes blog has an entry about the statues regarding automatic recounts of tight elections.

The final drop of the week will be posted tomorrow at 4:30 pm according to the King County elections website, but it’s unlikely we’ll be able to find out who our next Mayor is for quite some time.

http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/11/05/major-service-disruption-on-capitol-hill/

http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=9446

The memorial procession for murdered police officer Tim Brenton is going to close a bunch of streets between 8am and 1pm Friday.  Map of the Route (pdf):

On Friday, Nov 6, between approximately 8:00 AM and
approximately 1:00 PM, a Seattle Police memorial procession
between Husky Stadium and Key Arena will significantly
impact all traffic and travel – including Metro service on
many bus routes – in the following areas:

* University of Washington / Husky Stadium
* Montlake / 24th Av E & 23rd Av E
* Capitol Hill / E Madison St, Pine St & Broadway
* North of Downtown Seattle / Denny Way & Mercer St
* Queen Anne / 1st Av N & Seattle Center

In somewhat related news, “unpaid intern” on SLOG offers up a fine whine about Route 8, which degenerates into an epic comment thread complaining about Metro’s worst routes. A followup anecdote makes a compelling argument for the 150.

Of course, a “bad route” actually has three components: (lack of) speed, unreliability, and unpleasant fellow riders. Unfortunately, Metro doesn’t make data about on-time performance and incidents per revenue hour easily accessible, so it’s hard to inform these discussions with actual data.  I happen to know that Metro switched the 8 for the 48 in the Rainier Valley largely because the data showed the 8 to be more reliable.