This is the seventh in a series of eight posts about the eight folks who want to take Doug Mah's old seat on the Olympia city council.

One of the first things I heard about Jim Boyde's application to the Olympia City Council was "He must have really believed Rob Richards when he said that the city council moved to the right."

Boyde not only seems to assume this by applying at all (he seems to be the most business, Chamber of Commerce, applicant and candidate in recent years) but also in his answers on the application.

Boyde pulls no punches in what he believes to be the problems with the council. Take his description of the council in whole:

The council must reach out more effectively to the vast majority of residents who are presently unheard. Some do not believe they can make a difference. Some do not believe they matter. Some believe they will not be heard. Some believe the council listens only to special interest groups and high profile causes. Too many have been alienated by individual stands and beliefs of select councilmembers in the past.

And...

I believe that at times the Council has (with the very best motives) tried to be all things to all people. Unfortunately, sometimes this only serves to actually help no one, and gives the perception that the Council is out of touch with the citizens of the community.

The problem here is that the majority of the council for the past two years hasn't been TJ Johnson and Laura Ware. To me, he is obviously painting himself in contrast with these two (now former) councilmembers, and I think a bit too harshly for the tastes of the current council.

Since they were only two votes, they needed two other folks (who are still on the council) to do anything. By criticizing Ware and Johnson, and the rest of the council, how is Boyde giving them any reason to put him on the council?

Also, like Tousley, Westbrook and Reddick, Boyd's resume is well stacked with the appropriate service to give him the experience to serve. I just don't think the council is going to choose him.