Compton Stepping Down

The man who brought the Space Needle to Seattle is resigning his position as City Councilman. Jim Compton, who was elected to the City Council in 1999 because he used to be on the TV, is stepping down to teach in Egypt and Romania. Or maybe after a heartwarming montage, it will be his students who teach him---how to love again.

Although Councilwoman Jean Godden was "shocked" by Compton's decision, others on the council were not so surprised, as Josh Feit wrote on The Slog. Feit also explained how the resignation could change Councilman Richard Conlin's bid to be the council's president.

While on the council, Compton worked to to reform City Light and utilize new technology. Most notably to the PI was, "launch[ing] the city's broadband and telecommunications task force to explore the possibility of creating a municipally owned wireless system."

Two years ago Compton was the only member involved with Strippergate to win re-election. He also paid a hefty fine for violating the city's ethics code after received a free ride to an NBA game on Paul Allen's private jet.

This afternoon Council President Jan Drago will outline the process for replacing Compton. The last time a member of the council stepped down mid-term was in 1996 when John Manning resigned following his second arrest for domestic abuse. He was replaced with current Council member Richard McIver, after a process in which 100 people applied