Bellevue's Quiet Man -- Creighton Chosen Mayor By Peers

BELLEVUE

Bellevue's new mayor, Mike Creighton, can attribute his latest political success to speechmaking - he doesn't do a lot of it.

Since his election to the City Council two years, the soft-spoken, silver-haired, 50-year-old insurance executive hasn't drawn a lot of lightning or made a lot of enemies. But he has carved a role as a cool and thoughtful conservative voice at City Hall.

Last night, in a quick and unanimous vote, his fellow council members elected Creighton mayor of the state's fifth-largest city, a position that carries more of a symbolic punch than any real power.

Still, the move elevates one of the council's most low-key members to one of the highest-profile political perches on the Eastside.

Creighton replaced Ron Smith, who stepped down after a single two-year term to spend more time on family and work. Smith remains on the council.

Councilman Chuck Mosher, Creighton's chief competition for the job, was unanimously chosen deputy mayor last night.

Creighton's election represents more of a change in style than substance for Bellevue's conservative council.

Where Smith brought a youthful, energetic and sometimes outspoken voice to the office, Creighton's colleagues said he likely will show a more reserved and contemplative style.

"Sometimes we don't know what he is thinking until we meet," said Councilman Conrad Lee. "But he does provide a thoughtful, stabilizing perspective for the council. He is not someone who talks without thinking it through."

Under Bellevue's type of government, the mayor's vote counts no more than other council members' votes. But he does act as a chairman of the board and as a spokesman for the city.

That Creighton sees his role as speaking for the council as a whole - and not for his own agenda - is one of the reasons he got the job, supporters said.

"If we were looking for a mayor to make bold and controversial statements, he isn't it," said Councilman Kurt Springman. "And that's probably just what Bellevue needs."

Creighton moves into the mayor's job at a time when Bellevue is enjoying a rocketing economy and healthy tax base. The biggest issues facing the city are ones due largely to the good times.

Topping that list is congestion on Interstate 405 and state Highway 520, and congestion on city streets caused by an explosion of office construction in nearby Redmond.

Creighton will play a key role in negotiations between the two cities over traffic, which amounts to "gingerly walking through a mine field," as he put it.

Outside of traffic, Creighton will have to deal with such issues as expanding the city's Meydenbauer Center and the aftermath should a second Medic One levy fail.

"My basic philosophy is that government doesn't have to do everything for us," he said. "Government should perform basic services, and free enterprise should do the rest."

Creighton was born and raised in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood. He graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1969 before joining the Army and being stationed in West Virginia.

After his six-year hitch was up, Creighton returned to the Seattle area and began a career in the insurance industry. He moved to Bellevue in the mid-1970s to take a job with Kibble & Prentice. He is now an executive vice president with the firm, specializing in commercial insurance.

Soon after moving into a house in northeast Bellevue near Lake Sammamish, Creighton was recruited by the Chamber of Commerce to run for the Bellevue School Board in 1979.

"I didn't expect to win, but no one ran against me," he said.

He served two terms on the board, including a stint as president, during a period when declining enrollment caused the district to close a dozen elementary and middle schools.

Smith said that will help his successor.

"Mike's been on the hot seat before, and he has had to stick to his positions," Smith said.

As a council member, Creighton has a reputation as someone who reveals his stand on an issue strongly but with little fanfare and even less rhetoric.

"He is very prepared and conscientious," said Springman, who was elected in the same year as Creighton. "You rarely see him ask a stupid question."

J. Martin McOmber's phone message number is 206-515-5628. His e-mail address is: mcom-new@seatimes.com