Resident condemns chair’s earlier ‘Darwinian’ quip; chair apologizes

A Federal Way resident, Mr. Mike Bulock Ziggler, told the Land Use & Transportation Committee on June 1 that a remark the chair made at a prior meeting — that “Darwinian theory over a few generations will solve the problem” of people crossing outside marked crosswalks — was “offensive and embarrassing” and reflected indifference toward traffic‑violence victims.

"I left that meeting feeling disgusted and demoralized," Ziggler said, describing how the comment felt to survivors and family members of people struck while walking. He urged the committee to ensure leadership that takes pedestrian safety seriously and said a remark of that kind should be disqualifying for a chair of the city’s transportation policymaking body.

The chair responded directly during public comment, saying the remark was an “off‑hand attempt at humor” and offering a public apology. The chair noted a personal history with a pedestrian fatality of a friend’s spouse and said that while he had tried to inject levity, the comment was inappropriate. "I have publicly apologized for it," he said, adding that he takes every accident seriously and that education and safety improvements remain priorities.

The exchange occurred at the start of the June 1 meeting, during the public‑comment period, as the committee prepared to consider multiple transportation items. The committee did not take formal disciplinary action during the session; the chair’s apology was entered on the record. The committee proceeded to its agenda after the exchange.

The public comment and apology underscore community tension over traffic safety and tone from leaders as the city advances multiple safety projects, including sidewalk, crosswalk and intersection improvements.