Where things stand

It has been almost three weeks since the results of Barney Knight's investigation into Mike O'Bric's allegations against Yost Zakhary. That investigation found no substantial basis for the allegations. So where do things stand?

As far as I can tell 4+ months into this, there is no corruption in Woodway City government, and there was no failure on the part of the previous Council to oversee the City's management, including the activities of the City Manager/Police Chief. From what I know of the four Council members that were voted out of office, having spent a little time with two or three of them, they are honest, intelligent and insightful people who served Woodway well. The four new guys are not better than our predecessors, just different in the ways that make all of us unique, and hopefully we'll each play a part in maintaining and improving this special place.

I have also been impressed with Yost Zakhary's performance as City Manager/Police Chief. He clearly has the respect and admiration of his employees. He appears to me to be a skilled manager, both in terms of personnel and City planning. Every anticipated expense is budgeted for, often years in advance. This next year's budget was especially difficult, since there was a significant decrease in the state sales tax revenue. But Mr. Zakhary presented a balanced budget (summary here) such that there will be no loss of City services, no employee layoffs, and no tax rate increases. I know enough to know that Mr. Zakhary is not perfect, but none of us are. I still think it is poor policy to combine the positions of City Manager and Police Chief, but I have to say that Yost Zakhary is doing an admirable job of both.