Pierce County Council Chairman Roger Bush of Frederickson said Tuesday he won’t seek a fourth consecutive year as the council’s leader.
“I think that three years is enough for me,” Bush told other council members at a study session.
The jockeying then began openly for which council member will become the next council chair. Bush recommended Stan Flemming, while council member Rick Talbert suggested vice chairwoman Joyce McDonald. (Flemming and McDonald are both Republicans, as is Bush.)
The council will pick a new chair Jan. 10.
Bush’s decision was not unexpected. If he had sought and been elected by his colleagues to another one-year term, he would have become the first council member in recent memory to serve four years as chairman.
Shawn Bunney (2005-06) and Terry Lee (2007-08) each served in that role for two years, and Harold Moss (2002-04) served three years. The norm for council chairs is one year.
Bush, 62, said he wants to “gear down” and spend more time with his grandchildren. But he said he “plans on being fully engaged in all the issues before us.”
Bush is term-limited on the council and will finish his second, four-year term in 2012. Prior to that, Bush was a state representative from the 2nd District for eight years.
As chairman, Bush plays a major role in setting the council’s agenda, scheduling issues and measures to come before the seven-member panel, and working with council staff. He earns the same $107,602 salary as the others.
Bush said he is constantly “trying to develop consensus” on the council, made up of five Republicans and two Democrats.
“You’re not a boss,” Bush said.
Steve Maynard: 253-597-8647 steve.maynard @thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/polibuzz
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