Dr. David Morton, Redmond's Most Prolific Speaker

In my 13 years of observing and reporting on city government I can say Dr. David Morton, a citizen of greater Redmond with a PhD in Chemistry is unarguably the most prolific public speaker in the City of Redmond, and perhaps it's history. For six years David's been speaking during "Items From The Audience" at the beginning of each and every Regular meeting held by Council. Since David's first speech on Sept. 17, 2013 he's delivered 124 prepared four minute talks. Besides public speaking, David participates in Redmond's "Green Redmond" program, planting trees and restoring urban forests.

David is a gentle spirit, obsessed with anything having to do with pollution in our city. An activist by nature, the environment is his top priority. He works exceptionally hard to raise awareness. Very rarely the city takes action but he's had a couple wins along the way. Dr. Morton's first and longest sequence of speeches (rants) was about the pollution and smell emanating from Watson Asphalt. He doesn't live far from Watson and was concerned and fearful that plumes of carcinogenic air were blowing into the neighborhoods. Citing scientific and case studies, he stubbornly recommended newer scrubbing technology but Council didn't act, though Watson quietly stopped using "cutback asphalt."

So David picked another topic to harp on -- leaf blower air and noise pollution.He persistently (to put it mildly) asked Council to adopt an ordinance forbidding gas powered blowers in the neighborhoods, citing ordinances from other cities across the country. No go. By now, I cringed every time Mr. Morton walked up to the podium; in a sense he was polluting my ears.

Next it was onto "crumb rubber" - a material used in sports field installations. David cited scientific studies of the carcinogenic elements of rubber; and gave anecdotal cases of youth suffering from the rubber. He actually got some traction with city staff. The crumb rubber fields at Perrigo Park were replaced with non-toxic cork infill.

With a big sigh of relief from the viewing public, David pivoted from his repetitive topic-specific speeches to global warming from carbon pollution. He's also raising awareness of the deleterious effects of plastic. Need I say Dr. Morton's "green speeches" are well received. Our elected officials are paying closer attention and actually learning from him.

David has developed a close relationship with Council over the years. Once, he celebrated Council member Pat Vache's going-away party, where he got to eat cake with him at City Hall. He's planted trees with councilmember Hank Myers at Green Redmond events. After each speech he stays on for the whole meeting.

Last week when recognition was given to departing officials (Mayor Marchione, Hank Margeson and Hank Myers.) David lauded them for their dedication and accomplishments. He focused a "30 second thank you" on Mayor Marchione for his diligent professionalism in carrying out the city's mayoral duties.

Dave Morton is a special and unique person. Over the years we've learned to accept his eccentricity; and respect his expertise and stubborn approach on environmental matters. Other than Rachel Molloy and our elected officials, he's the most environmentally active and dedicated Redmond citizens I know.

--Bob Yoder, Redmond Neighborhood Blog