Council members ending their careers – Greg Fullington, Snoqualmie

Published 10:38 am Thursday, October 2, 2008

After serving four years on the Snoqualmie City Council, Greg Fullington will soon become part of the general public again. Fullington chose not to run for a second term, so his term ends Dec. 31.

“It’s been fun, it really has,” said Fullington, who also works full time as an attorney in Seattle.

Fullington, who is also the chair of the Public Safety Committee, said he decided not to run again primarily because of a promise he made to his father, who passed away this February.

Desiring a recommitment to Bible study, Fullington said that had promised his father he would return to a Bible study group that meets on Mondays, the same night as council meetings. After his father died, he said that he wanted to be true to his word.

Additionally, Fullington said that he thought that some turnover was good for politics.

Not running for a second term allows the council the opportunity to bring in new ideas and new thoughts, he said.

Born and raised in west Seattle, he and his wife Ann moved to the Ridge in 2000. Fullington, who said he had always wanted to get into politics eventually, decided to run for City Council in 2001.

“We were building a city,” he said, adding that he saw it as a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

Fullington, who never considered himself a politician, said he is proud to have contributed to many developments in the city, including finalizing the Ridge Phase II plans, finishing the city’s flood reduction project (205 Project) and the 2002 completion of Centennial Fields.

Most surprised by the intensity of small-town politics, Fullington said he stuck to his guns and worked diligently in making decisions, exploring options and voicing his opinions.

“When you turn a blind eye … nothing gets done,” he said.

Fullington said that the highest priority for the next City Council term will be dealing with budget.

The city is facing a $2 million deficit that will need to be closed in on, he said.

He said eventually a solution will have to be found and taken to the voters.

“Sure, we want the Mercedes, we want the Benz, but how are we going to pay for it?” he asked.

His advice for new council members Bob Jeans and Bryan Holloway was to not be afraid to voice their opinions.

Fullington said the new council members should not be afraid to voice their opinions.

“One thing I do hope is that someone as a City Council member will get up and be vocal … and be willing to take a stand,” he said. “Never back down.”

The new members should expect moments of frustration, too, he said.

As an example, he noted that earlier this year when he investigated the potentially money-saving option of outsourcing the police through King County, he said that he soon found his inquiry had turned into the perception of full support for the option, leading to many heated council debates.

“There’s always going to be frustration,” he said. “Overall, though, it was good.”

Though he is not sure if he will run for office in the future, he has not discounted it.

For the time being, though, he said he would like to spend his free time playing with his children: daughters ages 5 and 3 and a 1-year-old son.

As a soon-to-be regular citizen, Fullington said that he may drop by council meetings occasionally, but that he feels very comfortable in the hands of the new City Council.

He also noted that he was thankful for the time he spent working with his fellow members and government staff and representing the people of Snoqualmie.

“Everyone on the council is sharp,” he said. “Different viewpoints are good for the council and I think we have that.”