The real problem right away for our new superintendent of schools is to keep from being smothered and hogtied by the helpful people of Seattle, each and every one of them believing they and they alone have the key to success in the Emerald City. You can be that person's friend and accept and agree to everything she or he says, or you can be heaped with scorn and derision and even attacked if you dare even for a moment to disagree.

That is the Seattle way. Everyone has an opinion and you, Maria Goodle-Johnson, are about to be judged like a commodity, and not for the work you may do to provide much needed leadership. Goodloe-Johnson had not even let the phone cool on her call giving her the job when the sound of knives being sharpened echoed across the cityscape.

A normally cool, thoughtful and intelligent columnist for the Seattle Times meandered and muttered in a Thursday column. Joni Balter seemed to be changing her mind as she wrote on the editorial page that, yes, we have a new superintendent, but what the real problem was it the board of directors needed to be changed, but they had to appoint a new superintendent, but they really should have kowtowed to Emperor Nickels when his worship told the board to accept his view and appoint former Mayor Norm Nice ... errr, Rice. Joni still thinks the board should go but thinks good will for Goodloe-Johnson may help them get reelected. Get all of that? Neither do we.

The airwaves and metros were full of quotes from people who thought the board rushed to choose Goodloe-Johnson when the other candidate decided Seattle was too far from home and bowed out, leaving the South Carolinian as the sole candidate. Others groused (again the Seattle Timeless) that their reporters and editors did not get enough time with the new boss lady of schools. And, school "activists" muttered that she might not be the "best candidate" which translates to "I didn't get to make the decision."

Some pounced on her comment that there was no financial crisis here. First she read the comments of the school district's own new financial officer saying the same thing, then she noted she had a real problem in Charleston and she would consider Seattle's problem when she gets here.

Cool it people. Give the lady a chance to do what she says she will do, listen, listen and then begin to make her plan of action. The school board deserves some credit for actually finding an apparently qualified, educational leader to take the helm so long run by non-educators. Leave the election politics to next fall and to school board races, not heap that pile onto Maria Goodloe-Johnson.

So, Ms. Goodloe-Johnson, welcome to Seattle. We are really a good city, smart people do live here and when you have been here for a while, you will get beyond the yammering class and to the thinkers and doers. Most of us will judge you on what you do, not what the critics find fault with. This voice, at least, will hold its advice for you until you at least have a place to live and find your way to your office.

Our hand is out to you.

-Jack Mayne