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Founded in January 2009, PubliCola is a blog about Seattle written by journalists who are dedicated to non-partisan, original daily reporting that prioritizes a balanced approach to news. Started by longtime local editor and award-winning reporter Josh Feit, PubliCola is the first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol.

PubliCola was off and running. In June 2009, PubliCola hired another award-winning journalist, super-sourced Seattle city hall reporter Erica C. Barnett.

People were afraid that blogging would change journalism. Instead, we believe journalism can change blogging. Twenty-first century journalism may look and feel different, and yes Erica isn't afraid to get cranky, but we're committed to making sure online news still delivers independent, reliable, even-keeled coverage. And most of all, we're committed to making sure the coverage sparks honest civic debate.

Bringing you cola for the people, PubliCola is named after Publius Valerius PubliCola, the alias for the authors of the Federalist Papers—the original bloggers.

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The first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol and Seattle city hall, PubliCola has been called a “must-read” by the Seattle Post Intelligencer and a hot “New Media Mover and Shaker” by Seattle Magazine—which also cited our own Erica C. Barnett as the city's No. 1 news nerd.

Contribution of the Day

News   September 9, 2009 at 5:58 pm Erica C. Barnett

Lame-duck Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, easing into his new role as a private citizen, contributed $100 last week to Dow Constantine, the Democratic candidate for King County Executive. (Nickels came in third, behind challengers Joe Mallahan and Mike McGinn, in the August 18 mayoral primary).

Nickels isn’t in the habit of supporting other candidates for office (though it’s worth noting that Constantine, like Nickels, is a member of the “West Seattle Mafia.”) The last time Nickels contributed to a candidate, it was Casey Corr, running against incumbent city council member Jan Drago. Corr was a former Nickels staffer; Drago went on to run against Nickels this year.


  • Steve

    The Contribution of the Day should go to McGinn whom
    got a $250 for Joel Horn…. The guy that —- Seattle Citizens..

  • Steve

    The Contribution of the Day should go to McGinn whom
    got a $250 for Joel Horn…. The guy that —- Seattle Citizens..

  • Steve

    THe contribution of the day should go to McGinn for
    accepting 250 from Joel Horn… Great direction for
    the city\

  • http://publicola.net/ Josh Feit

    @ 1 & 2,

    As reported in today’s Morning Fizz.

    http://publicola.net/?p=13634

  • http://publicola.net/ Josh Feit

    @ 1 & 2,

    As reported in today’s Morning Fizz.

    http://publicola.net/?p=13634

  • Kevin

    Casey Corr is NOT from West Seattle, he has lived in Laurelhurst fo many years.

  • Kevin

    Casey Corr is NOT from West Seattle, he has lived in Laurelhurst fo many years.

  • Luigi Giovanni

    @4

    While Erica is known to get some facts wrong on occasion, she doesn’t say or imply that Casey Corr is from West Seattle.

  • Luigi Giovanni

    @4

    While Erica is known to get some facts wrong on occasion, she doesn’t say or imply that Casey Corr is from West Seattle.

  • Good Grief

    @4: Just ignore that fact like Erica does, since it doesn’t fit into her theory.

    Besides, she is still pissed off at West Seattle for that time 2 years ago when she and Josh were dumbasses, got on the wrong bus, and ended up over there, you know, not “in the actual city of Seattle”.

  • Good Grief

    @4: Just ignore that fact like Erica does, since it doesn’t fit into her theory.

    Besides, she is still pissed off at West Seattle for that time 2 years ago when she and Josh were dumbasses, got on the wrong bus, and ended up over there, you know, not “in the actual city of Seattle”.

  • I’m indignant

    Candidate Constantine campaigns today while ignoring the major issue of the day:

    http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009827506_dogattack09m.html

    Candidate Constantine, a councilmember in district 8 since 2002, has no comment on the mismanagement and dystfunctionality of the referred to department of King County. Councilmember Constantine appartently accepts the status quo.

    Candidate Constantine would rather attack his opponent with his surrogates than face the issues of the day, for which he is responsible.

  • I’m indignant

    Candidate Constantine campaigns today while ignoring the major issue of the day:

    http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009827506_dogattack09m.html

    Candidate Constantine, a councilmember in district 8 since 2002, has no comment on the mismanagement and dystfunctionality of the referred to department of King County. Councilmember Constantine appartently accepts the status quo.

    Candidate Constantine would rather attack his opponent with his surrogates than face the issues of the day, for which he is responsible.

  • joshuadf

    It’s all about the Benjamins. Glad Nickels had one to spare.

  • joshuadf

    It’s all about the Benjamins. Glad Nickels had one to spare.

  • Laurant

    @6, That’s in Reagan Dunn’s district, out there with the pitbulls, hics and shitkickers. Candidate Dunn has no comment on this atrocity committed in his own district. Why isn’t Candidate Dunn commenting on the issues for which he is responsible?

  • Laurant

    @6, That’s in Reagan Dunn’s district, out there with the pitbulls, hics and shitkickers. Candidate Dunn has no comment on this atrocity committed in his own district. Why isn’t Candidate Dunn commenting on the issues for which he is responsible?

  • Trevor

    Payback is a bitch. Drago’s run for Mayor probably kept Nickels from getting out of the primary.

  • Trevor

    Payback is a bitch. Drago’s run for Mayor probably kept Nickels from getting out of the primary.

  • seven

    Can someone here relieve me of my ignorance and educate me on the West Seattle Mafia? Post a link or something?

    Thanks!

  • seven

    Can someone here relieve me of my ignorance and educate me on the West Seattle Mafia? Post a link or something?

    Thanks!

  • on board

    I too would like to hear what Erica considers the “West Seattle Mafia.” What has this “West Seattle Mafia” been alleged to have done? I would just like to know as I have never heard anyone make such a reference before.

    “though it’s worth noting that Constantine, like Nickels, is a member of the “West Seattle Mafia.”

  • on board

    I too would like to hear what Erica considers the “West Seattle Mafia.” What has this “West Seattle Mafia” been alleged to have done? I would just like to know as I have never heard anyone make such a reference before.

    “though it’s worth noting that Constantine, like Nickels, is a member of the “West Seattle Mafia.”

  • http://www.dougunderground.com/ DOUG.

    Doesn’t the West Seattle Mafia run the Nooksack Casino?

  • http://www.dougunderground.com DOUG.

    Doesn’t the West Seattle Mafia run the Nooksack Casino?

  • chas redmond

    take this urban dictionary definition:
    . Seattle Mafia 63 up, 34 down
    A term created by political crusader David Blomstrom to characterize his allegations that various political, business, and lobbyist figures are part of a dangerous and corrupt political “machine” which controls Seattle politics.
    It doesn’t matter what the public vote says. If the Seattle Mafia want it, that new project will happen.
    get this def on a mug
    seattle mafia bill gates microsoft politics king county nordstroms
    by Filksinger May 23, 2008 share this
    2. Seattle Mafia 130 up, 186 down
    the corporate powers that rule Seattle (one of America’s most corrupt cities), along with their various “gatekeepers,” including the politicians they have installed in office, the media and various phony activists
    Bill Gates is a Seattle Mafia kingpin.

    and apply the search/replace term “west seattle” for “seattle”

    I think she means Tim Ceis, Greg Nickels, Dow, Joe (state), and a bunch of department heads like Grace. But, when you’re about 1/5 of the whole city, there are always going to be a lot of power people living in your ‘hood – examine who lives in Ballard sometime – or the edges of all our hills – u know, the places with the view. West Seattle has a LOT of view hills.

  • chas redmond

    take this urban dictionary definition:
    . Seattle Mafia 63 up, 34 down
    A term created by political crusader David Blomstrom to characterize his allegations that various political, business, and lobbyist figures are part of a dangerous and corrupt political “machine” which controls Seattle politics.
    It doesn’t matter what the public vote says. If the Seattle Mafia want it, that new project will happen.
    get this def on a mug
    seattle mafia bill gates microsoft politics king county nordstroms
    by Filksinger May 23, 2008 share this
    2. Seattle Mafia 130 up, 186 down
    the corporate powers that rule Seattle (one of America’s most corrupt cities), along with their various “gatekeepers,” including the politicians they have installed in office, the media and various phony activists
    Bill Gates is a Seattle Mafia kingpin.

    and apply the search/replace term “west seattle” for “seattle”

    I think she means Tim Ceis, Greg Nickels, Dow, Joe (state), and a bunch of department heads like Grace. But, when you’re about 1/5 of the whole city, there are always going to be a lot of power people living in your ‘hood – examine who lives in Ballard sometime – or the edges of all our hills – u know, the places with the view. West Seattle has a LOT of view hills.

  • Steve

    THe contribution of the day should go to McGinn for
    accepting 250 from Joel Horn… Great direction for
    the city