New King County Executive Sworn In, Promising Swift Reforms SEATTLE, WA (KPLU) - King County has a new executive. Former council member Dow Constantine took his oath of office before hundreds of admiring fans in Seattle. In his inaugural address, he promised to create "a culture of performance" in King County government.

Constantine thanked his predecessor, Kurt Triplett, for serving as interim executive amid the dual challenges of potential flooding in the green river valley and a possible pandemic flu outbreak. Then Constantine said he will deliver on his campaign promises for reform. He pledged to issue a blueprint for lasting change during his first 100 days in office.

"We're re-learning to do more with less: to stretch every dollar, to make sacrifices, to work harder to protect our quality of life and to position ourselves for the brighter days ahead."

He says he will also forge innovative partnerships to help get more out of less. He has created a new Director of Customer Service position in his senior management team. And he says the bridge building won't just be with entities outside the county.

"In the first 100 days we will convene a formal clearing house for employee-led reform ideas and create incentives for innovation. We will also establish a competition - this could be fun - for proposals to the executive to 'walk a day in the shoes of a county employee.'"

He says he will lead by example, starting at the top - with new hires getting salaries that are at least ten percent lower than current levels, and the executive giving back ten percent of his salary to fund programs that would otherwise be cut. He says he will also start the conversation with county unions about sharing in the increasing cost of health care premiums.

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