Wesley C. Uhlman Departmental Correspondence

Series

Identifier: 5287-01

Scope and Contents note

See more See less

Correspondence with city departments regarding ongoing operations as well as specific issues and events. The largest section of records covers the Executive Department, which includes the office and activities of the Mayor as well as subsidiary agencies like the Citizens Service Bureau, the Office of Policy Planning, and the Office of Management and Budget. Mayoral staffers' files are also included. Records relating to the Department of Community Development go into detail about the city's neighborhood improvement and urban renewal projects, including the Westlake and Yesler- Atlantic projects, as well as the plan to redevelop Pike Place Market. Materials from the Lighting Department cover issues including Ross Dam and labor strikes. Police Department files include citizen complaints as well as discussions of gambling and hollow point bullets. Other departments heavily represented in the records include Engineering, Legislative (City Council), Human Resources (social services), and Personnel.

Dates

Creation: 1956-1977

Creator

Uhlman, Wesley C. (Wesley Carl), 1935- (Person)
Seattle (Wash.). City Clerk (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access note

Records are open to the public.

Biographical Note

See more See less

Wes Uhlman was born in 1935 in Cashmere, Washington. He attended Aberdeen High School, Seattle Pacific College, and the University of Washington, where he served as president of the Young Democrats. He married a classmate, Leila Hammond, and returned to UW for law school in 1956.

In 1958, as a 23-year-old law student, he defeated incumbent Republican Hartney Oakes to represent the 32nd district in the Washington State House of Representatives, becoming the youngest member of the State Legislature. He served four terms before running for, and winning, a seat in the Washington State Senate.

Uhlman was elected Mayor in 1969, the first Democrat in almost 30 years. He was immediately faced with a host of problems ranging from racial tensions and large anti-war demonstrations to a police scandal and an economic downturn. He responded by overhauling the city bureaucracy, encouraging increased citizen participation in government, and expanding social services. He was a strong believer in affirmative action, and the percentage of City workers who were minorities doubled during his time in office.

He left the mayor's office in 1977 after serving two terms that included an unsuccessful run for governor in 1976. After his political career, he worked in law and real estate development.