By Ken Robinson

Managing Editor

Can you speak extemporaneously for two minutes on any topic in front of a room full of strangers?

If so, you might make a good candidate for public office. Last Tuesday, we heard eight hopefuls for a seat on the Burien City Council hold forth while answering audience questions in a packed room at the Burien Library (see the story on page xxx).

What was gratifying was how lucid and thoughtful each candidate was. Their responses were informed, crisp and to the point for the most part.

No one stumbled badly, seemed too nervous or got lost in their comments. 

These are capable people who have the guts to put themselves out there for inspection by people in the community they would like to lead as a councilmember. 

Also good to see was just how many people in the community left their warm homes on a Tuesday night to listen to politicians. Their willingness to use their time to be engaged in the functioning of community is commendable, 

The forum was sponsored by the League of Women Voters here under the guidance of Becky Cox, by the Southside Seattle Chamber of Commerce headed by Andrea Reay (who once ran Discover Burien) the Highline Times and by former Burien City Councilmember Rose Clark. 

The audience questions, collected on cards at the start of the meeting, were many and well asked.