Younger people and those who have moved to the city more recently don’t know about and don’t care about any historic rivalries between Seattle and Tacoma. That’s all to the good. But that shouldn’t mean they should view Tacoma only as a more-affordable Seattle, though one with longer commutes and without the same job opportunities.

Also missing is any collection of civic leaders who can help guide the direction of the city. Where once there were local companies with local executives, there are now branch managers at best. I was frequently suspicious of the Executive Council for a Greater Tacoma with many of those executives in closed-door contact with elected and appointed politicians. I thought it failed to convene the body politic and instead went behind its back.

But in hindsight, while it needed to be watched and have its power balanced by the public, it did play a role in city building. Tacoma is one of the few places in the country that reached a financial settlement with a tribe — the Puyallup Tribe of Indians - over its treaty claims to land and resources. Powerful members of Congress like Norm Dicks and influential business, tribal and government leaders sought negotiation over litigation and then lobbied the crap out of the Legislature and Congress to pay for it.

In addition, a lot of institutions from the UW Tacoma to the museums and the remediation of the Foss wouldn’t have happened without similar cooperation.

That is dormant now and while some will celebrate a more democratic and populist city, it feels like something is missing. Filling the gap somewhat are neighborhood groups and the small business people who have created so-far small businesses. The most visible are the retail and hospitality creations in the neighborhoods — especially 6th Avenue and South Tacoma Way. But they struggle without the help of a city economic development infrastructure that is still looking for home runs rather than singles.

Where is the chamber? Where is the legislative delegation? Where is the City Club? All are less influencial or in hiding. Good riddance, say some. But what has replaced them? Who are the conveners now?