Viva La Cola!

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.

McGinn's Latest Staff Announcement

News   December 17, 2009 at 5:42 pm Erica C. Barnett

Some names that we’ve already reported (Ethan Raup, Marco Lowe, and Mark Matassa), and some that we haven’t:

Former Ron Sims deputy chief of staff Ethan Raup: Director of Policy and External Affairs.  Raup previously served as director of the Office of Regional Policy and Planning and deputy chief of staff under former King County Executive Ron Sims.

Former Jan Drago spokesman, Seattle Times editor, and Crosscut editor Mark Matassa: Director of Communications.

Carl Marquardt, a partner along with McGinn at the Stokes Lawrence law firm: Mayor’s legal counsel.

Great City program coordinator Allison Burson: McGinn’s executive assistant.

McGinn campaign volunteer coordinator Sol Villarreal: Community engagement coordinator.  He worked on the Obama 2008 presidential campaign as a field organizer in Ohio.  Villarreal most recently volunteered on the McGinn for Mayor campaign as volunteer coordinator.

Former Nickels community relations director Marco Lowe: Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Relations.  Lowe is currently chief of staff for the New York City Department of Small Business Services.  He previously served as director of community relations in the Nickels administration.

Sierra Club lobbyist Craig Engelking: State Legislative Director.

OIR deputy director Linda Cannon and Shauna Larsen, the city’s Washington, D.C.-based federal liaison, will stay on under McGinn.




  • http://manywordsforrain.blogspot.com/ Mr.Baker

    Don’t bother looking for missing “G”‘s from computer keyboards, these people show up to work and find that the Mayor McCheese is missing from all of the NcDonaldland playsets (in honor of outgoing Mayor Greg Nickels).

  • http://manywordsforrain.blogspot.com/ Mr.Baker

    Don’t bother looking for missing “G”‘s from computer keyboards, these people show up to work and find that the Mayor McCheese is missing from all of the NcDonaldland playsets (in honor of outgoing Mayor Greg Nickels).

  • marc dorfner

    Just wanted to say ‘thanks’ to McGinn for trying to get the selling of assult wheapons banned. If a hunter needs something that explosive to kill an dear, he’s a bad shot and folks around him best be careful

    America needs to relax………..not buy bigger guns. Next thing we know, the AFA will try to get atom bombs allowable to fish with

  • http://None marc dorfner

    Just wanted to say ‘thanks’ to McGinn for trying to get the selling of assult wheapons banned. If a hunter needs something that explosive to kill an dear, he’s a bad shot and folks around him best be careful

    America needs to relax………..not buy bigger guns. Next thing we know, the AFA will try to get atom bombs allowable to fish with

  • Unempressed by the new city ha

    With all due respect to Publicola’s favorite people to meet at bars, this is a decidedly unimpressive group. Unless it’s all about selecting which gin to drink. Har- har.

    Seattle, be nervous.

  • Unempressed by the new city hall

    With all due respect to Publicola’s favorite people to meet at bars, this is a decidedly unimpressive group. Unless it’s all about selecting which gin to drink. Har- har.

    Seattle, be nervous.

  • Marge

    It is good to see that Craig will now be lobbying for the City with more roads per square inch than any other in the state.

    Perhaps Craig can persuade Mayor Mike to eliminate a few major roads in Seattle so he’ll have at least a smidge of credibility while he’s trying to keep other people in the state from having roads.

    Or, let’s see Craig get rid of that language McGinn distorted to death during the campaign that would require property owners who benefit from the deep bore tunnel to pay for any cost above estimates. I want my $15,000 saved.

  • Marge

    It is good to see that Craig will now be lobbying for the City with more roads per square inch than any other in the state.

    Perhaps Craig can persuade Mayor Mike to eliminate a few major roads in Seattle so he’ll have at least a smidge of credibility while he’s trying to keep other people in the state from having roads.

    Or, let’s see Craig get rid of that language McGinn distorted to death during the campaign that would require property owners who benefit from the deep bore tunnel to pay for any cost above estimates. I want my $15,000 saved.

  • Jane B

    It’s interesting they haven’t made an announcement about what Chris Bushnell’s position will be.

  • Jane B

    It’s interesting they haven’t made an announcement about what Chris Bushnell’s position will be.

  • Fat-tailed

    Would be nice to see publicola check itself with a comparison of all the names it said were “rumored” for these various positions and who was actually appointed. If my memory serves, your track record ain’t looking too good.

  • Fat-tailed

    Would be nice to see publicola check itself with a comparison of all the names it said were “rumored” for these various positions and who was actually appointed. If my memory serves, your track record ain’t looking too good.

  • Jane you ignorant slut

    maybe because he isn’t coming to work for mcginn?

  • Jane you ignorant slut

    maybe because he isn’t coming to work for mcginn?

  • Who Cares

    who cares?

    Erica Barnett is not a particularly good reporter. But at least she’s a woman!

  • Who Cares

    who cares?

    Erica Barnett is not a particularly good reporter. But at least she’s a woman!