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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 14, 2009 at 7:00 pm Erica C. Barnett

Ancient history edition:

Developer Richard Hedreen, beneficiary of an infamous $6 million city giveaway for affordable housing he never built, and his wife, Betty, have given $1,400 to city council candidate Sally Bagshaw—the maximum contribution allowed from a couple. Josh broke the story—which he dubbed the “Six-Million-Dollar Scam”—back in 2002.

Although the Hedreens have largely disappeared from the public eye since then, they haven’t stopped contributing to local races. So far this year, the couple has contributed a total of $1,400 to Position 2 Council Member Richard Conlin; $1,400 to Mayor Greg Nickels, who lost in the primary; and $1,400 to Nickels opponent Jan Drago, who also lost in the primary.


  • voter

    Maxing out to two in one race: priceless.

  • voter

    Maxing out to two in one race: priceless.

  • voter

    Maxing out to two in one race: priceless.

  • http://motleytools.com/blog Doulas Tooley

    When you are making 60k a month in interest $1,400 dollar contributions are pretty easy.

    FWIW, not sure about the connection between the HERE union and Hedreen, but they are the single most documented ganster corrupted union in the Country, though not specifically here – see Mobsters, Feds and Unions by James Jacobs, 2002.

    The Durkan family connection in this is not a surprise, part of the moderate republican/liberal corporate elite here in Washington ever since Norm Maleng muffed corruption charges in 74 and Chris Gregoire worked for Slade Gorton.

    One thing we can be sure of with Jenny Durkan as US Attorney we won’t see a stop to any of this.

  • http://motleytools.com/blog Doulas Tooley

    When you are making 60k a month in interest $1,400 dollar contributions are pretty easy.

    FWIW, not sure about the connection between the HERE union and Hedreen, but they are the single most documented ganster corrupted union in the Country, though not specifically here – see Mobsters, Feds and Unions by James Jacobs, 2002.

    The Durkan family connection in this is not a surprise, part of the moderate republican/liberal corporate elite here in Washington ever since Norm Maleng muffed corruption charges in 74 and Chris Gregoire worked for Slade Gorton.

    One thing we can be sure of with Jenny Durkan as US Attorney we won’t see a stop to any of this.

  • http://motleytools.com/blog Doulas Tooley

    When you are making 60k a month in interest $1,400 dollar contributions are pretty easy.

    FWIW, not sure about the connection between the HERE union and Hedreen, but they are the single most documented ganster corrupted union in the Country, though not specifically here – see Mobsters, Feds and Unions by James Jacobs, 2002.

    The Durkan family connection in this is not a surprise, part of the moderate republican/liberal corporate elite here in Washington ever since Norm Maleng muffed corruption charges in 74 and Chris Gregoire worked for Slade Gorton.

    One thing we can be sure of with Jenny Durkan as US Attorney we won’t see a stop to any of this.

  • johnmocha

    It would be interesting if our new mayor could pursue this individual and get back the $6M to pull the budget gap. Seattle could sure use it right now.

  • johnmocha

    It would be interesting if our new mayor could pursue this individual and get back the $6M to pull the budget gap. Seattle could sure use it right now.

  • johnmocha

    It would be interesting if our new mayor could pursue this individual and get back the $6M to pull the budget gap. Seattle could sure use it right now.

  • Jennifer

    This donation isn’t a reflection on Sally. Hedreen maxes out to everyone.

  • Jennifer

    This donation isn’t a reflection on Sally. Hedreen maxes out to everyone.

  • Jennifer

    This donation isn’t a reflection on Sally. Hedreen maxes out to everyone.

  • LH

    There’s no $ to get back because there was no $6 million give away. There was an attempted “give away”…the bill passed, the Mayor vetoed it and the Council was unable to override the veto.

    Favorite quote in link to that article Josh wrote: “Nickels-Licata teamups are something we’d like to see more of, because they will lead to admirable policy decisions like the Hedreen veto.” sincere sigh.

  • LH

    There’s no $ to get back because there was no $6 million give away. There was an attempted “give away”…the bill passed, the Mayor vetoed it and the Council was unable to override the veto.

    Favorite quote in link to that article Josh wrote: “Nickels-Licata teamups are something we’d like to see more of, because they will lead to admirable policy decisions like the Hedreen veto.” sincere sigh.

  • LH

    There’s no $ to get back because there was no $6 million give away. There was an attempted “give away”…the bill passed, the Mayor vetoed it and the Council was unable to override the veto.

    Favorite quote in link to that article Josh wrote: “Nickels-Licata teamups are something we’d like to see more of, because they will lead to admirable policy decisions like the Hedreen veto.” sincere sigh.