Elton Gatewood, founding director of Tacoma’s Neighborhood Council program is retiring Tuesday after 37 years with the city.
He did not want to go. The loss is one of the casualties of the city’s economic crisis.
Thanks to his deep knowledge of the city and wise and gentle diplomatic skills, the neighborhood councils have driven citizen involvement that has brought peace and beauty to many areas of Tacoma.
We invited people to comment on Gatewood’s accomplishments, and this is part of what we heard:
“I’m glad you are apparently planning a note or article about Elton Gatewood – I hope it’s about his contributions, his generous spirit, and his dedication to helping give Tacoma’s neighborhoods an effective voice in the city (as well as his contributions to numerous other cities’ neighborhood councils).
“I met Elton only 4 or 5 years ago, and was quickly impressed with his knowledge of the city government and the way it actually works, his advice on best approaches to city officials, both elected and administrative, and his mentoring of folks like me new to neighborhood councils. He guided with a firm and yet flexible hand, letting us know what was required and how best to provide it, and doing it with a quiet and unassuming leadership style that made one listen carefully.
“Elton founded the neighborhood council system 20 years ago, working with activists all over the city, including Marion Weed out here in NE Tacoma. In my experience, he kept up the dedication to neighborhood empowerment, consistently working in the neighborhoods’ and the city’s overall interests, sometimes in ways unfavorable to leading figures in the city administration. We will miss his example and leadership.”
John Thurlow, Chair, NE Tacoma Neighborhood Council
“As an officer of the South Tacoma Neighborhood Council knowing and respecting Read more »
