Virginia Galle Subject Files

Series

Identifier: 4630-02

Staff Only

Scope and Contents note

The collection consists of correspondence, memoranda, reports, notes, surveys, newspaper clippings, and other materials relating to Galle’s work on various City Council committees. Materials have been organized into topical categories relating to issues of concern to the City Council.

A large portion of the materials reflects Galle’s extensive work on solid waste issues. One major initiative documented in the files is a proposal to demolish the West Point secondary treatment plant and build a new plant in Interbay. The files contain a large number of citizen comments about this plan. Another key topic is solid waste management, including issues surrounding a proposal to build a mass burn incinerator.

Another set of materials focuses on the development of smoking policies for City employees. Files chronicle the development of the policy, from recruitment of smoking and non-smoking employees to serve on the Citywide Smoking Policy Development Committee through employee input and legal challenges.

Domestic partnership was another issue Galle worked on. Files relate to two Council Bills addressing domestic partner benefits and use of sick leave and funeral leave for domestic partners. Materials include correspondence, news clippings, constituent letters, and background information.

Other topics covered in this collection include the redevelopment of Seattle Center, including files relating to a proposal from Disney to take over the site; management compensation; the admissions tax; the City Light customer information system; and the Seattle/Kent Good Neighbor Program.

Dates

Creation: 1970-1989
Creation: 1983-1989

Creator

Galle, Virginia (Person)

Conditions Governing Access note

Records are open to the public.

Biographical Note

Virginia Galle served two terms on City Council between 1981 and 1989. The daughter of career Salvation Army officers, she was a librarian and high school English teacher in the Midwest before moving to Seattle. Influenced by the women’s movement, in 1965 Galle went back to school to earn a master’s degree at the University of Washington’s Graduate School of Public Affairs, writing her thesis on King County’s home-rule charter. She began working in the City of Seattle’s new Citizens Service Bureau, an agency which served as a resource for information and a clearinghouse for complaints about the city. Galle worked her way up through the ranks to become the head of the agency.

In 1973, she became the first woman department head in Seattle city government when she was appointed director of the Department of Licenses and Consumer Affairs. She eventually was fired from that position by Mayor Wes Uhlman after her aggressive pursuit of companies she perceived to be swindling the public. She served as executive director of the Girl Scouts Totem Council from 1977 until she resigned in 1981 to run for a City Council seat vacated by Randy Revelle.

While on the Council, Galle chaired the City Operations and Utilities (1982-1983), Environmental Management (1984-1987), and Finance and Personnel (1988-1989) committees. In 1987, she testified before a U.S. Congressional subcommittee on municipal solid waste issues. She lost her seat to Tom Weeks in the 1989 election. After leaving the Council, Galle worked as a consultant and remained active in community affairs.

Extent

4 Cubic Feet (10 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Virginia Galle served on the Seattle City Council between 1981 and 1989. This collection contains her subject files on topics such as solid waste, smoking policies, and domestic partnerships.