David Levine (politician)

Levine (center) in 1958 in his capacity as president of the Civil Service League, flanked by League treasurer Ben Merrill and Mrs. Merrill.

David Levine (March 18, 1883 – May 9, 1972[1]) was a Seattle, Washington politician. He served on the Seattle City Council from 1931 to 1962 (with a one-year interruption in the mid-1930s[2][3][4][5]) including several stints as council president.[6] On retirement, he received the title of Council President Emeritus, unique in the city's history.[1][7]

  1. ^ a b "David Levine, Long Active On City Council", Seattle Post-Intelligencer, May 10, 1972. Page unidentified: from the clipping file of the former Municipal Reference Library, now in the Seattle Room of the downtown Seattle Public Library.
  2. ^ "Ex-Seattle Councilman Levine Dies". The Bellingham Herald. Bellingham, WA. May 10, 1972. p. 2. Retrieved April 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  3. ^ Seattle City Council Members, 1869-Present Chronological Listing does not overtly mention the interruption, but shows him to have been absent from the 1935–1936 council.
  4. ^ "David Levine, former city councilman, dies", Seattle Times, May 9, 1972, p. C15. Says "...except for a one-year interruption."
  5. ^ "David Levine, Long Active On City Council", Seattle Post-Intelligencer, May 10, 1972 says "Except for one two-year period in the mid-1930s...". They may have been confused by the fact that his one-year off of the council spanned two calendar years.
  6. ^ Seattle City Council Members, 1869-Present Chronological Listing. Accessed online 19 July 2008.
  7. ^ "A resolution of appreciation and commendation of Councilman David Levine for his thirty years of service to the City of Seattle as Councilman, President of the City Council, Acting Mayor, and for his distinguished record as an outstanding citizen of this city", Seattle City Council Resolution #19225, June 4, 1962. Abstract online does not mention the "emeritus" title; the relevant passage is "BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that his colleagues express that appreciation by creating the position of President Emeritus, in which his only emolument will be the satisfaction he gains from continuing to serve the city he loves so long as the Lord allows him the time and strength to do so..."