Written by We got this very sad news today:
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Dear Friends,
It saddens me to have to tell you that Sue Carlson passed away this morning
following a valiant battle against cancer. She died peacefully with her family
by her side at 5:30 this morning.
We all know the significant role Sue played in shaping how Renton has become in
this region. She was also a very good friend to many of us who have had the
opportunity to know her all these years.
A special celebration will be planned in a couple weeks, and we will be sure to
let you know the details.
Thanks.
Denis
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Here is an update of a journal entry I wrote regarding Sue about a year ago:
Year 2000 Public Employee of the year Sue Carlson advises (then councilman) Denis Law
I had the honor of serving as City Council President the year that our amazing Economic Development/Long Term Planning Administrator, Sue Carlson, won the title of Outstanding Public Employee from the King County Municipal League for her contributions in turning Renton’s economic fortunes around. That year we got the veterans park and the Henry Moses Aquatic Center started with year-end fund balance windfalls. These revenue windfalls came from new sales tax collections from new retail businesses Sue had recruited. That same year also began the advanced planning for the Landing, as you can see in the Municipal League write-up (linked below).
Sue Carlson had a strong passion for the Renton Community, and remained active in city events right up to the end of her life. I last spoke with her a couple months ago at the Bench Dedication for Jess Tanner in front of city hall.
Back in 1993, Sue helped encourage Denis Law to start the Renton Reporter, as a means to give our city an identity, a sense of community, a way to market itself to outside businesses, and a way for Renton businesses to advertise.
This was around the same time that she was working hard to market our city to the Spirt of Washington Diner Train and IKEA, both businesses which enhanced our community.
Sue Carlson was widely known as one of the greatest Economic Development experts in our state, and we finally lost her only because her private sector value was so high that our city could only pay her about a fraction of her market value. Her last few years with our city were very charitable on her part, given the outside job-offers she was passing on. She was always a great believer in Renton.
Her love of our City was so strong that I once found her teary-eyed after seeing a particularly brutal “Almost Live” parody about our city. I attempted to comfort her, reminding her that it was comedy, and I did not think it would really hurt our image that much. But to Sue, it was as if her own child had been teased on TV. We were that important to her.
Muni News
VOLUME 90, ISSUE 5 – MAY Special Edition 2000
Municipal League Announces 2000 Civic Award Winners
The Municipal League of King County will honor several citizens and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to our community at the League’s Annual Civic Awards luncheon on Friday, June 2, 2000, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. All community members are encouraged to join the Municipal League in this celebration of civic excellence.
Since 1960, the Municipal League has recognized citizens, government leaders and organizations that work hard to improve the quality of life in the Puget Sound region. The 2000 Civic Award winners truly represent what the Municipal League of King County is all about: fostering open, efficient and accountable government. Each of these award winners made significant contributions to our community over the past year and the Municipal League is pleased to recognize them at the Civic Awards luncheon.
CIVIC AWARD HONOREES FOR YEAR 2000
Public Employee of the Year: Sue Carlson, Director of Economic Development and Strategic Planning, City of Renton
In her position with the City of Renton, Sue Carlson is responsible for planning, organizing, directing and evaluating all economic development activities for the city. Since joining the City of Renton in 1993, she has persuaded numerous major businesses to move to the city, including IKEA, HomeBase, and City University. She also played a key role in the development of a $400 million, 60-acre business campus that will ultimately provide jobs for 10,000 people.
Learn more by reading this blog entry from a former direct report to Sue.
Sue looks on as we dedicate a bench and plaque to former mayor Jesse Tanner two months ago (September 8, 2008). Pretty, kind, and cheerful, even in her final months battling cancer.
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