1 00:00:10,067 --> 00:00:12,667 -I'd like to begin by acknowledging 2 00:00:12,667 --> 00:00:15,234 that we are on indigenous land, 3 00:00:15,234 --> 00:00:19,100 the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people. 4 00:00:19,100 --> 00:00:21,968 This acknowledgement reminds us to strive 5 00:00:21,968 --> 00:00:25,968 for respectful partnerships with all people, 6 00:00:25,968 --> 00:00:29,200 and we search for collective healing. 7 00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:34,501 I am excited and honored to have Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell here 8 00:00:34,501 --> 00:00:40,167 today to swear in our new Director Marshall, 9 00:00:40,167 --> 00:00:43,434 and it's okay to clap. 10 00:00:43,434 --> 00:00:46,567 This is a -- you can be impromptu today. 11 00:00:46,567 --> 00:00:47,934 It's okay. 12 00:00:47,934 --> 00:00:50,000 [ Applause ] 13 00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:52,400 And to recognize all of the hard work 14 00:00:52,400 --> 00:00:55,934 you all have put in throughout the years at Seattle Center. 15 00:00:55,934 --> 00:00:59,634 For Marshall to celebrate public service with you all, 16 00:00:59,634 --> 00:01:02,200 we wanted to make sure we had -- 17 00:01:02,200 --> 00:01:07,701 we wanted to make sure he was serving in his full capacity 18 00:01:07,701 --> 00:01:12,267 as the official director of Seattle Center. 19 00:01:12,267 --> 00:01:14,100 Now you can clap again. 20 00:01:18,334 --> 00:01:23,367 For those of you receiving your service awards and pins today, 21 00:01:23,367 --> 00:01:28,167 you will always have a special connection to this day 22 00:01:28,167 --> 00:01:31,033 to share with our soon-to-be director. 23 00:01:31,033 --> 00:01:32,667 And for those of you in the audience 24 00:01:32,667 --> 00:01:34,267 supporting your colleagues, 25 00:01:34,267 --> 00:01:37,934 employees, friends, and special guests, 26 00:01:37,934 --> 00:01:42,434 a sincere thank you for sharing this monumental event 27 00:01:42,434 --> 00:01:44,000 with us here today. 28 00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:47,167 Whether you are able to stay for the full event 29 00:01:47,167 --> 00:01:48,834 or just a short time, 30 00:01:48,834 --> 00:01:52,868 we are grateful to be able to share space with all of you. 31 00:01:52,868 --> 00:01:55,534 The mayor's presence here underscores 32 00:01:55,534 --> 00:01:58,167 the significance of this occasion, 33 00:01:58,167 --> 00:02:02,167 and we are deeply grateful for everyone's support. 34 00:02:02,167 --> 00:02:06,634 With that being said, I'd like to introduce 35 00:02:06,634 --> 00:02:08,767 Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, 36 00:02:08,767 --> 00:02:12,634 who will share a few reflections about public service, 37 00:02:12,634 --> 00:02:17,334 honor Seattle Center employees, including Marshall, 38 00:02:17,334 --> 00:02:21,934 and then initiate the official swearing-in ceremony. 39 00:02:21,934 --> 00:02:23,534 Bruce Harrell. 40 00:02:28,868 --> 00:02:29,868 -Thank you, Chelsea. 41 00:02:29,868 --> 00:02:33,300 Thank you for your warm applause. 42 00:02:33,300 --> 00:02:36,868 So you could spread a rumor that the mayor showed up 43 00:02:36,868 --> 00:02:40,901 at this phenomenal occasion high. 44 00:02:40,901 --> 00:02:42,901 I'm high. 45 00:02:47,033 --> 00:02:49,767 Now, those that know me know I actually don't use drugs. 46 00:02:49,767 --> 00:02:51,167 I don't even drink. 47 00:02:51,167 --> 00:02:53,968 But I'm just high from the Husky game last Saturday, 48 00:02:53,968 --> 00:02:55,834 so I'm wearing my -- 49 00:02:55,834 --> 00:02:58,000 I'm walking around on cloud nine. 50 00:02:58,000 --> 00:03:02,634 I'm going to clarify that before the rumors start. 51 00:03:02,634 --> 00:03:07,334 Very honored to spend time with Seattle Center employees. 52 00:03:07,334 --> 00:03:09,934 I've talked to many of you before, 53 00:03:09,934 --> 00:03:11,601 and I want to double down on something 54 00:03:11,601 --> 00:03:14,801 that I said that this campus and the work that you do 55 00:03:14,801 --> 00:03:16,901 is some of the most important work we do in the city 56 00:03:16,901 --> 00:03:20,534 because you define us for the world to see. 57 00:03:20,534 --> 00:03:21,968 When we talk about the Seattle Center 58 00:03:21,968 --> 00:03:26,367 being our cultural heart and soul of our city, 59 00:03:26,367 --> 00:03:28,000 when I do travel, 60 00:03:28,000 --> 00:03:30,634 they always ask about the campus and the activities, 61 00:03:30,634 --> 00:03:35,033 and we've been through good times and tougher times. 62 00:03:35,033 --> 00:03:36,267 But we're shining right now, 63 00:03:36,267 --> 00:03:38,567 and it's because of you, the employees. 64 00:03:38,567 --> 00:03:41,133 And so when we start talking about employees 65 00:03:41,133 --> 00:03:44,767 that have been here 5, 10, 15, 20, 66 00:03:44,767 --> 00:03:49,501 dare I say 40 and 50 years? That's sort of scary. 67 00:03:49,501 --> 00:03:53,901 But it shows a true commitment. I tell my wife, you know, 68 00:03:53,901 --> 00:03:57,033 things are always easy to quit sometimes. 69 00:03:57,033 --> 00:03:58,601 I hear about people taking jobs 70 00:03:58,601 --> 00:04:00,200 and, you know, I got a lousy boss. 71 00:04:00,200 --> 00:04:03,434 I got a bum. Or they'll take a class. 72 00:04:03,434 --> 00:04:04,834 I quit midway through. 73 00:04:04,834 --> 00:04:07,434 You know, that darn teacher, whatever. 74 00:04:07,434 --> 00:04:11,868 It's always easy to quit things. Life is not perfect. 75 00:04:11,868 --> 00:04:15,734 We all have impediments toward our happiness and our progress. 76 00:04:15,734 --> 00:04:17,667 But when you show this kind of longevity, 77 00:04:17,667 --> 00:04:19,801 this kind of tenacity, if you will, 78 00:04:19,801 --> 00:04:22,501 it shows that you are committed to something bigger 79 00:04:22,501 --> 00:04:24,567 than yourself, not just your job. 80 00:04:24,567 --> 00:04:28,567 You do your jobs not just for the paycheck every two weeks. 81 00:04:28,567 --> 00:04:30,400 You do it because you have a different 82 00:04:30,400 --> 00:04:32,534 calling to be a public servant, 83 00:04:32,534 --> 00:04:35,133 to bring joy and happiness to others, 84 00:04:35,133 --> 00:04:37,868 and you have a competency in something that you do. 85 00:04:37,868 --> 00:04:43,734 And I say that whether you are the event planner, 86 00:04:43,734 --> 00:04:47,567 the CEO, or the janitor, 87 00:04:47,567 --> 00:04:51,000 or the person that just washes the windows, 88 00:04:51,000 --> 00:04:52,567 makes no difference. 89 00:04:52,567 --> 00:04:58,167 You all are part of a invaluable ecosystem, equal roles. 90 00:04:58,167 --> 00:05:00,801 My notes say the person working maintenance 91 00:05:00,801 --> 00:05:04,300 is just as essential as the person doing accounting. 92 00:05:04,300 --> 00:05:05,968 The person providing security 93 00:05:05,968 --> 00:05:08,067 is just as important as the event planner. 94 00:05:08,067 --> 00:05:09,734 What, are we picking on event planners today? 95 00:05:09,734 --> 00:05:14,667 Who's the -- the point really being that each component 96 00:05:14,667 --> 00:05:17,868 is so remarkably important to the whole. 97 00:05:17,868 --> 00:05:19,834 You are indeed ambassadors for our city 98 00:05:19,834 --> 00:05:23,434 and represent the values that we have to have moving forward 99 00:05:23,434 --> 00:05:25,400 in these very, very tough times. 100 00:05:25,400 --> 00:05:29,934 Now, having said that, it's absolutely my pleasure 101 00:05:29,934 --> 00:05:36,334 during the awards ceremony to talk about your leader. 102 00:05:36,334 --> 00:05:38,267 We've been calling Marshall, for some time, 103 00:05:38,267 --> 00:05:39,868 the interim director. 104 00:05:39,868 --> 00:05:41,534 And as many of you know, last month, 105 00:05:41,534 --> 00:05:44,601 the city council unanimously -- 106 00:05:44,601 --> 00:05:46,567 you don't hear that term coming out very much, 107 00:05:46,567 --> 00:05:50,167 city council does something unanimously -- 108 00:05:50,167 --> 00:05:52,667 unanimously voted to confirm 109 00:05:52,667 --> 00:05:54,200 Marshall as a permanent director. 110 00:05:54,200 --> 00:05:57,868 And so we thought today's gathering was the perfect place 111 00:05:57,868 --> 00:06:01,634 to host his oath-of-office ceremony. 112 00:06:01,634 --> 00:06:02,968 I want to say a few words about Marshall, 113 00:06:02,968 --> 00:06:04,868 but not so much about Marshall, the human being, 114 00:06:04,868 --> 00:06:08,200 but sort of what he represents relative to the Seattle Center. 115 00:06:08,200 --> 00:06:13,167 Now, you know, I guess an event here 116 00:06:13,167 --> 00:06:14,701 at Seattle Center wouldn't be complete 117 00:06:14,701 --> 00:06:20,000 if we didn't introduce Robert Nellams' name 118 00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:22,100 at least once in the process, 119 00:06:22,100 --> 00:06:24,734 a dear friend since we've been in high school. 120 00:06:24,734 --> 00:06:26,234 But when I was elected, 121 00:06:26,234 --> 00:06:28,567 I talked to Robert about staying on for a while 122 00:06:28,567 --> 00:06:31,267 and making sure that I don't embarrass myself relative 123 00:06:31,267 --> 00:06:33,567 to the Seattle Center, and we became friends. 124 00:06:33,567 --> 00:06:35,067 Even when I was on the council, 125 00:06:35,067 --> 00:06:38,200 on many occasions, I relied on his sage advice 126 00:06:38,200 --> 00:06:43,100 and his intelligence and his commitment to the campus. 127 00:06:43,100 --> 00:06:46,100 I said, "Hey, I got to find a superstar. 128 00:06:46,100 --> 00:06:47,767 I don't know what he or she will look like. 129 00:06:47,767 --> 00:06:49,701 I don't know where they're -- where they reside. 130 00:06:49,701 --> 00:06:51,834 I don't know who this person is going to be." 131 00:06:51,834 --> 00:06:53,968 And I just knew Marshall sort of tangentially 132 00:06:53,968 --> 00:06:56,868 and some of the great work he was doing with the waterfront. 133 00:06:56,868 --> 00:06:59,367 And he was working as part of my cabinet, 134 00:06:59,367 --> 00:07:04,167 and I said, "Well, as my kid would say, he seems all right. 135 00:07:04,167 --> 00:07:06,334 [ Laughter ] 136 00:07:06,334 --> 00:07:07,834 I don't know him well 137 00:07:07,834 --> 00:07:10,501 just because he presents to the council, 138 00:07:10,501 --> 00:07:12,767 but I'm not working closely with him." 139 00:07:12,767 --> 00:07:15,167 And I asked to see his résumé. 140 00:07:15,167 --> 00:07:17,534 And I said quite frankly and a director's spot 141 00:07:17,534 --> 00:07:18,968 was here for transportation. 142 00:07:18,968 --> 00:07:20,467 I recruited him from Los Angeles. 143 00:07:20,467 --> 00:07:22,400 I've recruited people in different cities. 144 00:07:22,400 --> 00:07:24,033 I said, "The Seattle Center, 145 00:07:24,033 --> 00:07:26,868 the employees deserve a superstar." 146 00:07:26,868 --> 00:07:29,133 I looked at his résumé, and I said, 147 00:07:29,133 --> 00:07:33,834 "Damn, this is a darn good résumé." 148 00:07:33,834 --> 00:07:36,734 Graduated from Middlebury College, 149 00:07:36,734 --> 00:07:39,000 magna cum laude. 150 00:07:39,000 --> 00:07:40,834 That's a small liberal arts school in Vermont, 151 00:07:40,834 --> 00:07:42,067 if you don't know where it is. 152 00:07:42,067 --> 00:07:44,567 My middle son went to a school in Williams. 153 00:07:44,567 --> 00:07:46,567 And so I looked at some of those small liberal arts schools. 154 00:07:46,567 --> 00:07:48,734 It's one of the top in the country. 155 00:07:48,734 --> 00:07:51,367 And to graduate, if you look at their acceptance rates 156 00:07:51,367 --> 00:07:53,501 and who gets in that darn school, 157 00:07:53,501 --> 00:07:55,133 quite frankly, you have to not only be smart. 158 00:07:55,133 --> 00:07:57,267 You have to be really hard working. 159 00:07:57,267 --> 00:08:01,000 And so I looked at how he graduated in such -- 160 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:03,968 in such good standing, and then I looked at he went 161 00:08:03,968 --> 00:08:06,601 to get a master's in city planning from Berkeley, 162 00:08:06,601 --> 00:08:09,367 which, again, is one of the top schools in the country. 163 00:08:09,367 --> 00:08:11,067 But beyond the educational background, 164 00:08:11,067 --> 00:08:13,167 I looked at all of -- not just the awards, 165 00:08:13,167 --> 00:08:18,767 but the work he had been doing in terms of civic involvement, 166 00:08:18,767 --> 00:08:21,367 building great cities, 167 00:08:21,367 --> 00:08:26,133 dealing with people that really make the things go around. 168 00:08:26,133 --> 00:08:29,601 And I still said, "Oh, he's all right." 169 00:08:29,601 --> 00:08:32,634 And then we had a few conversations in our office, 170 00:08:32,634 --> 00:08:34,434 and we had a -- we had a process. 171 00:08:34,434 --> 00:08:37,934 And so I opened up the process for all, you know, 172 00:08:37,934 --> 00:08:39,968 remember when you're young, you played hide and seek? 173 00:08:39,968 --> 00:08:41,534 You say olly olly -- what's that? -- 174 00:08:41,534 --> 00:08:44,067 olly olly come in free? What we used to say? 175 00:08:44,067 --> 00:08:48,767 Huh? Well, you know what I'm saying. 176 00:08:48,767 --> 00:08:52,067 Come on in as everybody come in, whatever we should say. 177 00:08:52,067 --> 00:08:54,100 [ Laughter ] 178 00:08:54,100 --> 00:08:56,267 And so we had tough competition. 179 00:08:56,267 --> 00:08:58,868 But I will tell you with full conviction 180 00:08:58,868 --> 00:09:02,300 that Marshall's ability to lead with compassion, 181 00:09:02,300 --> 00:09:04,467 with listening skills, to lead silently 182 00:09:04,467 --> 00:09:06,367 and loudly when it's important, 183 00:09:06,367 --> 00:09:08,167 to be smart enough to do the hard research, 184 00:09:08,167 --> 00:09:11,701 to understand his own soft spots. 185 00:09:11,701 --> 00:09:13,400 I don't say weak spots, just soft spots 186 00:09:13,400 --> 00:09:16,200 where he can improve in. 187 00:09:16,200 --> 00:09:18,667 That's huge in a leader. 188 00:09:18,667 --> 00:09:20,734 You know, leaders think that they have it all together. 189 00:09:20,734 --> 00:09:22,801 They're perfect. Heck no. 190 00:09:22,801 --> 00:09:27,267 Marshall's ability to be self-aware was phenomenal, 191 00:09:27,267 --> 00:09:29,267 and so it was no surprise to me 192 00:09:29,267 --> 00:09:34,200 when he was unanimously confirmed. 193 00:09:34,200 --> 00:09:39,067 I'm proud to work with Marshall. He's a -- he's a great leader. 194 00:09:39,067 --> 00:09:45,067 And so when he screws up, and he will screw up. We all do. 195 00:09:45,067 --> 00:09:47,367 You know, you've heard me say before I give myself permission 196 00:09:47,367 --> 00:09:49,400 to make about three mistakes a day. 197 00:09:49,400 --> 00:09:51,267 I've already made two, so I got one more to go 198 00:09:51,267 --> 00:09:54,701 before the day's out. Then you hold that person up, 199 00:09:54,701 --> 00:09:56,501 and you give this person feedback, 200 00:09:56,501 --> 00:09:58,667 and you don't question his intentions or his ability 201 00:09:58,667 --> 00:10:00,167 because he has it strongly. 202 00:10:00,167 --> 00:10:05,567 So it's absolutely my pleasure to be in the same room with you 203 00:10:05,567 --> 00:10:07,334 and to see the greatness around you. 204 00:10:07,334 --> 00:10:08,701 I believe in the Seattle Center. 205 00:10:08,701 --> 00:10:12,200 I believe that for us to get the morale up in the city, 206 00:10:12,200 --> 00:10:14,934 to get people coming back, people to thrive, 207 00:10:14,934 --> 00:10:16,267 for small businesses to thrive, 208 00:10:16,267 --> 00:10:18,434 for people to do the great things 209 00:10:18,434 --> 00:10:21,267 when you brought back Bumbershoot, as an example, 210 00:10:21,267 --> 00:10:23,267 or the Bite of Seattle. 211 00:10:23,267 --> 00:10:24,767 And I'm going to close with this. 212 00:10:24,767 --> 00:10:28,868 We're going to bring up the city clerk and do this confirmation, 213 00:10:28,868 --> 00:10:31,267 but I got to tell you a little funny story that we -- 214 00:10:31,267 --> 00:10:33,334 you guys pushed the envelope a little bit on. 215 00:10:33,334 --> 00:10:34,701 I think it's called Afrobeats. 216 00:10:34,701 --> 00:10:36,868 Is that the event that you're having, Afrobeats? 217 00:10:36,868 --> 00:10:38,667 Afro what? -BLASTFEST. 218 00:10:38,667 --> 00:10:41,601 -BLASTFEST. But it's the Afrobeats music, right? 219 00:10:41,601 --> 00:10:43,968 BLASTFEST, so they said, "Hey, we're going to -- 220 00:10:43,968 --> 00:10:45,634 we're going to take a chance and do BLASTFEST." 221 00:10:45,634 --> 00:10:47,701 Never been done on this campus before. 222 00:10:47,701 --> 00:10:50,801 So I called my kids, "What is BLAST, BLASTFEST?" 223 00:10:50,801 --> 00:10:52,934 And they said, "Well, it's Afrobeats. 224 00:10:52,934 --> 00:10:54,801 What's Afrobeats?" 225 00:10:54,801 --> 00:10:56,167 So they said, "Oh, it's just, you know, 226 00:10:56,167 --> 00:10:58,167 it's just this combination of different cultures. 227 00:10:58,167 --> 00:11:02,067 It's really cool." I said, "Okay, I'm asked to open it up." 228 00:11:02,067 --> 00:11:04,100 And so I had like three or four events that day. 229 00:11:04,100 --> 00:11:06,133 And so I get here, and then there's a -- 230 00:11:06,133 --> 00:11:08,400 there's a crowd here. There's a lot of folks here, 231 00:11:08,400 --> 00:11:11,033 and I look, and I have to be at least 40 years older 232 00:11:11,033 --> 00:11:14,801 than everyone at this place, very diverse crowd. 233 00:11:14,801 --> 00:11:17,434 And I said, "You know, I've read a lot about politics, 234 00:11:17,434 --> 00:11:19,801 and they don't want to hear me speak." 235 00:11:19,801 --> 00:11:21,334 And so when I got out, I asked for some of 236 00:11:21,334 --> 00:11:23,067 my younger colleagues and says, 237 00:11:23,067 --> 00:11:25,868 "You guys got to do the speech. You have to do the speech." 238 00:11:25,868 --> 00:11:28,000 They're like -- "here's my notes. Just do it," 239 00:11:28,000 --> 00:11:29,300 I said, "I'm telling they're here 240 00:11:29,300 --> 00:11:31,133 to listen to music, to the Afrobeats. 241 00:11:31,133 --> 00:11:34,901 This is not a good thing." I had on this old corny suit. 242 00:11:34,901 --> 00:11:36,801 I said, they -- "I'm sticking out already," 243 00:11:36,801 --> 00:11:39,067 I said, "It's not my vibe right here." 244 00:11:39,067 --> 00:11:41,534 I said, I -- "Trust me on this. Just go and do it." 245 00:11:41,534 --> 00:11:43,968 And so these are two much younger folks part of my team, 246 00:11:43,968 --> 00:11:45,334 and they said, "Okay, we're doing it." 247 00:11:45,334 --> 00:11:49,634 And so we're standing behind the podium out here, 248 00:11:49,634 --> 00:11:51,534 and I thinking, phew, dodged that bullet. 249 00:11:51,534 --> 00:11:54,934 And then the announcer who was -- 250 00:11:54,934 --> 00:11:56,367 actually I think he worked at Microsoft. 251 00:11:56,367 --> 00:11:58,267 He was like the DJ. 252 00:11:58,267 --> 00:12:00,100 And he said, "And we can't wait to hear from Bruce Harrell, 253 00:12:00,100 --> 00:12:01,734 and Bruce Harrell is going to say this. Bruce" -- 254 00:12:01,734 --> 00:12:04,033 I was like, "Man, didn't someone tell him I wasn't doing it?" 255 00:12:04,033 --> 00:12:06,334 Because I told everyone I wasn't doing the darn thing. 256 00:12:06,334 --> 00:12:07,901 And so then I said, "Well, I get up there," 257 00:12:07,901 --> 00:12:09,167 I said, "I'm just going to hold the mic. 258 00:12:09,167 --> 00:12:10,634 You guys stand close to me," I said, 259 00:12:10,634 --> 00:12:12,334 "I'm going to try to sound halfway cool when I do this. 260 00:12:12,334 --> 00:12:15,300 I'm going to put -- channel in your coolness." 261 00:12:15,300 --> 00:12:18,868 And I said a few words, and it was an incredible event. 262 00:12:18,868 --> 00:12:21,033 I ended up staying for like two hours. 263 00:12:21,033 --> 00:12:22,767 And it was a phenomenal event, 264 00:12:22,767 --> 00:12:25,767 and I certainly will be there next year if you did -- 265 00:12:25,767 --> 00:12:27,167 you all decide to have it. 266 00:12:27,167 --> 00:12:28,934 But the really the point of that story is you all 267 00:12:28,934 --> 00:12:32,133 are pushing the envelope on trying new things, 268 00:12:32,133 --> 00:12:34,334 and that's what's going to get us out of this funk, 269 00:12:34,334 --> 00:12:35,734 and that's why we have the right leader 270 00:12:35,734 --> 00:12:38,000 because Marshall is willing to take those chances. 271 00:12:38,000 --> 00:12:40,868 You got to be really willing to take those chances. 272 00:12:40,868 --> 00:12:46,701 So I would like to welcome our City Clerk Scheereen Dedman 273 00:12:46,701 --> 00:12:48,834 to administer the oath of office 274 00:12:48,834 --> 00:12:53,734 with his ceremonial pin to be affixed by his wife, Shanti. 275 00:12:53,734 --> 00:12:56,934 And as we go through this, I -- am I screwing up? 276 00:12:56,934 --> 00:12:58,634 I still got one more mistake to make, 277 00:12:58,634 --> 00:13:01,000 so is this the mistake -- oh, no, got thumbs up. 278 00:13:01,000 --> 00:13:04,000 Still got one more mistake in reserve here. 279 00:13:04,000 --> 00:13:05,334 So let me close by -- come up. 280 00:13:05,334 --> 00:13:07,234 Make your way up here, City Clerk Dedman. 281 00:13:07,234 --> 00:13:09,901 Let me close by saying this particularly to the employees 282 00:13:09,901 --> 00:13:15,767 and your service wards. Thank you. Thank you. 283 00:13:15,767 --> 00:13:21,934 We are -- we're climbing out of this hole that the country -- 284 00:13:21,934 --> 00:13:24,968 hey, is that my walk? That's some walking music. 285 00:13:27,367 --> 00:13:30,567 We're clawing our back -- our way out of this hole. 286 00:13:30,567 --> 00:13:32,767 I like -- keep it going. Keep it going. 287 00:13:32,767 --> 00:13:34,767 Because of the commitment that you are showing, 288 00:13:34,767 --> 00:13:37,067 and so congratulations on such a milestone. 289 00:13:37,067 --> 00:13:39,033 I do want to call out Steven Tolliver. 290 00:13:39,033 --> 00:13:42,367 Steven here? Is Steven here, no? 291 00:13:42,367 --> 00:13:45,267 Man, he just got 50 years. I know him personally, 292 00:13:45,267 --> 00:13:47,200 so I was really hoping to get a hug from him. 293 00:13:47,200 --> 00:13:48,734 But when I see that kind of commitment, 294 00:13:48,734 --> 00:13:49,934 whether it's five or 50, 295 00:13:49,934 --> 00:13:52,567 we should all celebrate in each other's success. 296 00:13:52,567 --> 00:13:55,267 So let's give all of our city employees a ground -- 297 00:13:55,267 --> 00:13:56,901 a great hand is here. 298 00:13:56,901 --> 00:14:00,234 ♪♪ 299 00:14:00,234 --> 00:14:02,267 Let's have the oath of office. 300 00:14:02,267 --> 00:14:09,434 ♪♪ 301 00:14:09,434 --> 00:14:13,567 ♪♪ 302 00:14:13,567 --> 00:14:16,334 Mardi Gras theme. 303 00:14:16,334 --> 00:14:19,601 -Please raise your right hand. 304 00:14:19,601 --> 00:14:22,300 Repeat after me. I, Marshall Foster. 305 00:14:22,300 --> 00:14:24,133 -I, Marshall Foster. 306 00:14:24,133 --> 00:14:26,400 -Swear or affirm. -Swear. 307 00:14:26,400 --> 00:14:29,334 -That I possess all of the qualifications. 308 00:14:29,334 --> 00:14:33,067 Oh, thank you. That I possess all of the qualifications. 309 00:14:33,067 --> 00:14:35,534 -That I possess all of the qualifications. 310 00:14:35,534 --> 00:14:37,834 -Prescribed in the city's, sorry, 311 00:14:37,834 --> 00:14:40,000 prescribed in the Seattle City Charter. 312 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:42,133 -Prescribed in the Seattle City Charter. 313 00:14:42,133 --> 00:14:43,634 -And the Seattle Municipal Code. 314 00:14:43,734 --> 00:14:45,767 -And the Seattle Municipal Code. 315 00:14:45,767 --> 00:14:49,434 -For the position of Director of the Seattle Center. 316 00:14:49,534 --> 00:14:52,667 -For the position of Director of Seattle Center. 317 00:14:52,667 --> 00:14:54,200 -That I will support the Constitution 318 00:14:54,200 --> 00:14:55,734 of the United States. 319 00:14:55,734 --> 00:14:57,133 -That I will support the Constitution 320 00:14:57,133 --> 00:14:58,501 of the United States. 321 00:14:58,501 --> 00:15:00,801 -The Constitution of the State of Washington. 322 00:15:00,801 --> 00:15:03,200 -The Constitution of the State of Washington. 323 00:15:03,200 --> 00:15:06,400 -And the charter and ordinances of the city of Seattle. 324 00:15:06,501 --> 00:15:09,634 -And the charter and ordinances of the city of Seattle. 325 00:15:09,634 --> 00:15:11,901 -And that I will faithfully conduct myself 326 00:15:11,901 --> 00:15:13,767 as director of the Seattle Center. 327 00:15:13,767 --> 00:15:15,701 -And that I will faithfully conduct myself 328 00:15:15,701 --> 00:15:17,934 as the director of Seattle Center. 329 00:15:17,934 --> 00:15:20,367 -Congratulations. -You may kiss the bride. 330 00:15:20,367 --> 00:15:21,868 -That bride. 331 00:15:21,868 --> 00:15:24,167 -The bride, not the clerk. 332 00:15:24,167 --> 00:15:26,767 [ Laughs ] 333 00:15:26,767 --> 00:15:29,234 We'd love to hear from Marshall. 334 00:15:29,234 --> 00:15:31,234 [ Applause ] 335 00:15:37,734 --> 00:15:38,868 -All right. 336 00:15:38,868 --> 00:15:42,000 -I'll have you sign these two before. 337 00:15:42,000 --> 00:15:43,367 -Oh, yes, got to do that. 338 00:15:43,367 --> 00:15:44,501 Got to sign it to make it official. 339 00:15:44,501 --> 00:15:45,400 -Make it official. 340 00:15:45,400 --> 00:15:50,033 -All right. -And this one. 341 00:15:50,033 --> 00:15:51,634 -Okay. 342 00:15:54,334 --> 00:15:56,501 -Thank you. -Thank you so much. 343 00:15:56,501 --> 00:15:58,868 -You keep this one, and I will hand this to Shanti for you. 344 00:15:58,868 --> 00:16:00,067 -Awesome, thank you very much. 345 00:16:00,067 --> 00:16:01,934 -Congratulations. 346 00:16:01,934 --> 00:16:04,501 -Wow, I can't even tell you all. 347 00:16:04,501 --> 00:16:07,834 Whoever played the Saints Come Marching In, 348 00:16:07,834 --> 00:16:11,100 you just warmed my mother's heart 349 00:16:11,100 --> 00:16:12,701 and my whole family's so that was -- 350 00:16:12,701 --> 00:16:15,367 that was a super nice touch. You know where I come from. 351 00:16:15,367 --> 00:16:18,567 And I still remember, as I was getting to know all of you, 352 00:16:18,567 --> 00:16:21,334 at one of the first staff meetings with Robert. 353 00:16:21,334 --> 00:16:23,334 And I was getting to know you, and he said, 354 00:16:23,334 --> 00:16:26,067 "Tell them about gumbo. Talk about cooking. 355 00:16:26,067 --> 00:16:29,968 Talk about where you're from." One of the things that I have -- 356 00:16:29,968 --> 00:16:31,868 and I'll get into the official stuff here. 357 00:16:31,868 --> 00:16:37,133 But you all have been the most welcoming, open community. 358 00:16:37,133 --> 00:16:40,033 I have been blessed to work in a lot of incredible places 359 00:16:40,033 --> 00:16:42,033 in the city and in different places. 360 00:16:42,033 --> 00:16:45,767 And I have never felt welcomed and at home the way 361 00:16:45,767 --> 00:16:49,601 that you all have made me feel. And this is off the cuff, 362 00:16:49,601 --> 00:16:51,667 but I just got to say the sense of place 363 00:16:51,667 --> 00:16:53,934 and the sense of belonging that you help people feel here, 364 00:16:53,934 --> 00:16:56,534 whether your staff or you are the public, 365 00:16:56,534 --> 00:17:00,868 is a gift to the city and to public service. 366 00:17:00,868 --> 00:17:04,601 So I just got to say that to get us started. 367 00:17:04,601 --> 00:17:06,801 [ Cheers and applause ] 368 00:17:09,300 --> 00:17:12,734 So first off, I just want to extend my gratitude 369 00:17:12,734 --> 00:17:14,501 and thanks to Mayor Harrell, 370 00:17:14,501 --> 00:17:19,100 personally, for this opportunity and for putting the faith in me. 371 00:17:19,100 --> 00:17:21,133 Getting to know you over the past few months, 372 00:17:21,133 --> 00:17:23,801 and I know we're still getting to know each other, 373 00:17:23,801 --> 00:17:26,300 I've learned a lot from you about leadership. 374 00:17:26,300 --> 00:17:28,601 You know, we had some things where we needed to work 375 00:17:28,601 --> 00:17:31,868 through together and talk about how we would work together. 376 00:17:31,868 --> 00:17:35,267 And at the time, I was very much, you know, 377 00:17:35,267 --> 00:17:36,634 I've worked for a lot of mayors, 378 00:17:36,634 --> 00:17:38,334 and I've figured out how to do this. 379 00:17:38,334 --> 00:17:42,434 I had not seen someone take the time to really get to know me, 380 00:17:42,434 --> 00:17:44,334 to understand what I was trying to do, 381 00:17:44,334 --> 00:17:47,300 and to really engage at a human level 382 00:17:47,300 --> 00:17:48,767 in how we were going to work together, 383 00:17:48,767 --> 00:17:51,133 and you totally stopped me in my tracks. 384 00:17:51,133 --> 00:17:53,601 And I just -- that showed me something about leadership 385 00:17:53,601 --> 00:17:57,100 that I hadn't seen. So thank you for that. 386 00:17:57,100 --> 00:18:00,200 I'd like to thank my fellow cabinet members. 387 00:18:00,200 --> 00:18:01,667 I have been supported in the city 388 00:18:01,667 --> 00:18:05,968 by incredible partners and colleagues over many years 389 00:18:05,968 --> 00:18:08,767 in doing a lot of -- a lot of important things, 390 00:18:08,767 --> 00:18:10,667 and it wouldn't be for that -- for -- 391 00:18:10,667 --> 00:18:13,901 but for that community, it wouldn't be possible. 392 00:18:13,901 --> 00:18:16,601 Then the mayor mentioned Director Nellams, Robert. 393 00:18:16,601 --> 00:18:19,634 You know, Robert is a dear friend 394 00:18:19,634 --> 00:18:21,534 and welcomed me into your community 395 00:18:21,534 --> 00:18:23,934 to help with some of the work on Climate Pledge Arena 396 00:18:23,934 --> 00:18:25,200 and elsewhere years ago. 397 00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:26,634 And getting to know him 398 00:18:26,634 --> 00:18:30,167 was really what helped me fall in love with this place 399 00:18:30,167 --> 00:18:32,667 and so thank you. He couldn't be here today. 400 00:18:32,667 --> 00:18:35,400 You all know what Robert is dealing with, with Jane, 401 00:18:35,400 --> 00:18:39,667 but he wanted to be here. And I'd like to thank, again, 402 00:18:39,667 --> 00:18:43,234 all of you who have just been so patient and welcoming 403 00:18:43,234 --> 00:18:45,567 over these last 10 months. I've had a lot of questions. 404 00:18:45,567 --> 00:18:48,167 I've had a lot of probably some dumb questions, 405 00:18:48,167 --> 00:18:50,734 maybe a couple of good ones. You've been there right with me 406 00:18:50,734 --> 00:18:53,467 and helped me get to know this place. 407 00:18:53,467 --> 00:18:55,901 And then of course, I want to thank my lovely wife, 408 00:18:55,901 --> 00:18:58,067 Shanti Breznau, 409 00:18:58,067 --> 00:19:01,033 for all of her support through many years at the city 410 00:19:01,033 --> 00:19:03,667 and for my two children, Rueben who's here, 411 00:19:03,667 --> 00:19:07,000 as well as Francesca, who have been so supportive. 412 00:19:07,000 --> 00:19:10,868 And I think it's fair to say you both told me in your own way 413 00:19:10,868 --> 00:19:15,100 that this is a much cooler place to work than the Muni Tower, 414 00:19:15,100 --> 00:19:16,300 not that that's a bad place. 415 00:19:16,300 --> 00:19:20,367 But I especially remember when, you know, 416 00:19:20,367 --> 00:19:22,434 Reuben wanted to bring a special person to the -- 417 00:19:22,434 --> 00:19:27,234 to the Space Needle and getting to help make that happen. 418 00:19:27,234 --> 00:19:28,367 I told you I was going to embarrass you 419 00:19:28,367 --> 00:19:31,434 at least a little bit. 420 00:19:31,434 --> 00:19:34,968 On a serious note, you know, as the mayor said, 421 00:19:34,968 --> 00:19:38,400 Seattle Center is a truly remarkable place. 422 00:19:38,400 --> 00:19:39,901 It's one of a kind. 423 00:19:39,901 --> 00:19:44,501 It is a little bit of a cliché, you might say, but it's true. 424 00:19:44,501 --> 00:19:47,868 This is -- there's no place like this. 425 00:19:47,868 --> 00:19:49,567 I'm a city planner by training. 426 00:19:49,567 --> 00:19:51,434 One of the first things I do is I look around, 427 00:19:51,434 --> 00:19:53,334 and I say who else is doing this? 428 00:19:53,334 --> 00:19:54,634 What other great cities are out there? 429 00:19:54,634 --> 00:19:56,734 How do they do their cultural campuses? 430 00:19:56,734 --> 00:20:00,234 Nobody has a Seattle Center. People have a convention center. 431 00:20:00,234 --> 00:20:03,868 People have a concert hall. People have fairgrounds. 432 00:20:03,868 --> 00:20:06,801 They do not have a cultural heart and soul 433 00:20:06,801 --> 00:20:10,334 that is home to 30 plus organizations with a staff 434 00:20:10,334 --> 00:20:14,767 that's devoted to the public's experience the way that we are. 435 00:20:14,767 --> 00:20:16,601 It is a very special thing. 436 00:20:16,601 --> 00:20:19,100 We get to help people 437 00:20:19,100 --> 00:20:22,234 have exceptional experiences and events. 438 00:20:22,234 --> 00:20:25,534 We get to delight and inspire people through those events. 439 00:20:25,534 --> 00:20:26,901 And most importantly, we get to build 440 00:20:26,901 --> 00:20:28,934 stronger communities in the process. 441 00:20:28,934 --> 00:20:31,701 That's all riffing off of our mission statement, 442 00:20:31,701 --> 00:20:33,100 which I've looked at a lot and realized 443 00:20:33,100 --> 00:20:36,934 is really the right mission statement for this place. 444 00:20:36,934 --> 00:20:40,200 And at the same time, as I think you all had felt, 445 00:20:40,200 --> 00:20:43,701 I certainly feel that we're in a time of change and transition. 446 00:20:43,701 --> 00:20:47,567 Robert's departure, the way the city is changing, 447 00:20:47,567 --> 00:20:49,133 really opens new doors, 448 00:20:49,133 --> 00:20:52,634 and some days you probably feel butterflies in your stomach. 449 00:20:52,634 --> 00:20:56,367 It feels different to be here than it used to. 450 00:20:56,367 --> 00:20:58,133 I think it's a really exciting time. 451 00:20:58,133 --> 00:21:01,868 We are evolving, as the city evolves. 452 00:21:01,868 --> 00:21:04,200 What it means to be part of our downtown 453 00:21:04,200 --> 00:21:06,300 and how downtowns will thrive in the future 454 00:21:06,300 --> 00:21:09,567 is changing in very fundamental ways. 455 00:21:09,567 --> 00:21:13,234 The good news for us is that great cultural experiences, 456 00:21:13,234 --> 00:21:17,934 great urban places are at the heart of what is helping 457 00:21:17,934 --> 00:21:22,033 to kind of reignite people's love of cities. 458 00:21:22,033 --> 00:21:23,400 And we're also at a time, frankly, 459 00:21:23,400 --> 00:21:27,834 when our culture and our economy are very polarized, 460 00:21:27,834 --> 00:21:30,968 and people need the kind of shared experiences 461 00:21:30,968 --> 00:21:33,601 that we create at Seattle Center. 462 00:21:33,601 --> 00:21:35,567 And something that I think we care about 463 00:21:35,567 --> 00:21:36,934 and I want to see us keep doing 464 00:21:36,934 --> 00:21:40,367 is making that accessible and affordable 465 00:21:40,367 --> 00:21:44,000 to everyone in a time where cities are becoming harder 466 00:21:44,000 --> 00:21:48,100 to access and, frankly, more expensive. 467 00:21:48,100 --> 00:21:51,467 Since I've arrived here and gotten to know Seattle Center, 468 00:21:51,467 --> 00:21:54,767 I think we're honestly rising to this challenge. 469 00:21:54,767 --> 00:21:56,934 We just had a remarkable summer, 470 00:21:56,934 --> 00:21:59,834 hosting great events at scale on campus. 471 00:21:59,834 --> 00:22:01,167 The mayor mentioned a few of them: 472 00:22:01,167 --> 00:22:04,501 Folklife, the Bite, Bumbershoot, and of course, 473 00:22:04,501 --> 00:22:07,501 our one of a kind Festál series. 474 00:22:07,501 --> 00:22:10,033 The public came back to the campus in droves. 475 00:22:10,033 --> 00:22:12,934 I hope all of you were as excited as I was to see that, 476 00:22:12,934 --> 00:22:15,868 and the feeling was very exuberant. 477 00:22:15,868 --> 00:22:19,634 It felt like Seattle was back in all of its funky, 478 00:22:19,634 --> 00:22:21,534 delicious quirkiness. 479 00:22:21,534 --> 00:22:23,801 You know, you had incredibly unique moments 480 00:22:23,801 --> 00:22:25,334 all over the campus. 481 00:22:25,334 --> 00:22:28,934 There was truly something for everyone. 482 00:22:28,934 --> 00:22:31,701 And at the same time, we expanded into our new role 483 00:22:31,701 --> 00:22:34,968 on the waterfront, which I'm sure that whole team 484 00:22:34,968 --> 00:22:37,334 will tell you was a real adventure, 485 00:22:37,334 --> 00:22:40,067 learning how to take on a role beyond the campus 486 00:22:40,067 --> 00:22:42,601 for the first time. And at the same time, 487 00:22:42,601 --> 00:22:46,000 we're teaming up major new investments in the campus 488 00:22:46,000 --> 00:22:47,901 that will enhance the public's experience 489 00:22:47,901 --> 00:22:50,334 with things like the new Memorial Stadium, 490 00:22:50,334 --> 00:22:53,934 upgrading our monorail station, and preparing for the future 491 00:22:53,934 --> 00:22:56,400 of having light rail on the campus 492 00:22:56,400 --> 00:23:00,934 and the access to the entire region that that will create. 493 00:23:00,934 --> 00:23:02,901 As we look ahead really is -- 494 00:23:02,901 --> 00:23:05,067 now really is the time for Seattle Center. 495 00:23:05,067 --> 00:23:07,734 It's time to renew our vision for the future 496 00:23:07,734 --> 00:23:09,834 for who we want to be over the next 5, 10, 497 00:23:09,834 --> 00:23:11,868 and even 50 years. 498 00:23:11,868 --> 00:23:13,567 We need a vision for our future 499 00:23:13,567 --> 00:23:16,767 rooted in Seattle Center's deep commitment 500 00:23:16,767 --> 00:23:19,734 to our core values of inspiring delight, 501 00:23:19,734 --> 00:23:24,100 creating a sense of belonging, and building community. 502 00:23:24,100 --> 00:23:26,067 While at the same time, 503 00:23:26,067 --> 00:23:29,300 we look outwards for new partnerships and opportunities 504 00:23:29,300 --> 00:23:32,901 that will deepen how we serve those values. 505 00:23:32,901 --> 00:23:35,934 As the mayor said, "It's time for us to take some risks," 506 00:23:35,934 --> 00:23:39,567 thoughtful, calculated risks, but take some risks. 507 00:23:39,567 --> 00:23:42,667 We have to bring some new ideas and investment to campus, 508 00:23:42,667 --> 00:23:45,334 but do it in a way that keeps this place interesting, 509 00:23:45,334 --> 00:23:49,234 affordable, and inclusive. 510 00:23:49,234 --> 00:23:51,601 Mayor, you talk about Space Needle thinking. 511 00:23:51,601 --> 00:23:54,000 It's one of the things that I've really enjoyed about 512 00:23:54,000 --> 00:23:57,567 working with you and your team over the past few years. 513 00:23:57,567 --> 00:23:59,234 I'm excited because this is where Space Needle 514 00:23:59,234 --> 00:24:00,934 thinking started, 515 00:24:00,934 --> 00:24:02,667 and I think it's time for Seattle Center 516 00:24:02,667 --> 00:24:06,534 to contribute to that new energy that you're creating 517 00:24:06,534 --> 00:24:09,367 with some Space Needle ideas of our own. 518 00:24:09,367 --> 00:24:12,167 I won't pretend to have the recipe in my pocket. 519 00:24:12,167 --> 00:24:15,367 But I know that all of us together, we'll find a path, 520 00:24:15,367 --> 00:24:17,834 and we will find that recipe if -- 521 00:24:17,834 --> 00:24:22,934 as long as we're not afraid to think big and to work together. 522 00:24:22,934 --> 00:24:26,834 Lastly, as the other speakers mentioned, 523 00:24:26,834 --> 00:24:28,501 today is all about public service. 524 00:24:28,501 --> 00:24:30,133 And I want to make sure we focus on that. 525 00:24:30,133 --> 00:24:32,300 When the idea first came up of having this 526 00:24:32,300 --> 00:24:35,501 swearing in as part of this, that's where my head went is, 527 00:24:35,501 --> 00:24:39,133 for me, it's a remarkable opportunity to have this moment 528 00:24:39,133 --> 00:24:41,300 with you as we celebrate the incredible service 529 00:24:41,300 --> 00:24:44,667 that you all bring to this community. 530 00:24:44,667 --> 00:24:48,834 The dedication, the ingenuity, the perseverance that you bring, 531 00:24:48,834 --> 00:24:51,901 and frankly, the commitment you've shown to Seattle Center 532 00:24:51,901 --> 00:24:53,367 through thick and thin, 533 00:24:53,367 --> 00:24:55,567 great moments, which we all can think of. 534 00:24:55,567 --> 00:24:58,033 But also, I remember spending time on this campus 535 00:24:58,033 --> 00:25:00,133 during the pandemic and watching 536 00:25:00,133 --> 00:25:02,467 and how hard you all worked to serve people 537 00:25:02,467 --> 00:25:05,300 in a very different way than we think of today 538 00:25:05,300 --> 00:25:08,267 and that this group, with the years of experience, 539 00:25:08,267 --> 00:25:11,467 have never blanched from giving the community 540 00:25:11,467 --> 00:25:14,234 what it needed is a remarkable service. 541 00:25:14,234 --> 00:25:16,400 So thank you for that. 542 00:25:16,400 --> 00:25:18,300 And lastly, I'll just say how grateful I am 543 00:25:18,300 --> 00:25:22,300 to continue to get to work alongside you in this role, 544 00:25:22,300 --> 00:25:25,033 to be able to lead and bring new opportunities. 545 00:25:25,033 --> 00:25:28,601 But frankly, as much as that to learn from all of you 546 00:25:28,601 --> 00:25:30,834 in very hands-on ways as we do this work 547 00:25:30,834 --> 00:25:34,701 and, yes, to make a few mistakes along the way. 548 00:25:34,701 --> 00:25:36,767 Thank you all so much for the support. 549 00:25:36,767 --> 00:25:39,367 Mayor, I'm grateful for the -- for the trust, 550 00:25:39,367 --> 00:25:41,968 and there is nothing we cannot do together. 551 00:25:41,968 --> 00:25:43,567 Thank you all. 552 00:25:43,567 --> 00:25:45,267 [ Applause ]