December 2006

Seattle Public Utilities has saved about $76 million over the past two years - bringing more than $10 a month in savings for residential ratepayers.

Utilities' "asset management" policies are based on the best practices of the world's best utility companies and are expected to result in hundreds of millions of dollars in efficiencies over the next two decades. Originally developed to help the utilities plan for the replacement of aging infrastructure - pipes, pumps, treatment facilities, etc.

Seattle City Light warns about thieves are calling customers telling them that the customer must give them their credit card number immediately to avoid shut-off of electricity that day.

In this case, the thief indicated a customer hadn't signed their personal check for payment of their bill and to avoid a shut-off, they needed to make a credit card payment immediately.

"That simply isn't the way the utility contacts customers," said Carol Dickinson, account services director. "Seattle City Light does not make calls to customers asking for credit card information.

The Seattle City Council is looking for candidates to serve beginning in January on the Seattle Planning Commission.

Planning Commission members are appointed by both the mayor and the City Council to serve renewable, three-year terms. Commissioners must reside in Seattle and serve without compensation.

The 16-member commission advises city officials on citywide planning goals, policies and plans.

An Arbor Heights resident was running his generator on Saturday evening when a neighbor, upset about the noise, confronted him and reportedly threatened, "I'll get even with you."

A man feels that some of his neighbors might have lent a hand to Mother Nature prior to the windstorm. Examining a tree that fell, he noticed some clean edges on the base of the trunk. He suspects that someone partially sawed the tree before the winds hit, ensuring that it would fall.

Cal Bannon, 85, plays tennis for fun and exercise with the "morning group" at the Bob Booth Tennis Courts across from the north side of Lincoln Park.

"He and the other 80-something players in the group are remarkable," says Flora Belle Key, a teammate still in her 70s. "They have good shots, and they can still scramble around the court very well. They are serious competitors."

"And we're all friends. After all, tennis is a 'love' game," she says with a grin. "We have a lot of fun. We even have parties - sometimes right on the court.

smoke and mirrors

When Seattle Voters are given the choice next spring on replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct with either a new viaduct (mostly funded) or a tunnel (largely unfunded), I hope the costs and cost risks are defined accurately.

By my calculations, the $1.8 billion tunnel surcharge amounts to $3,150 per person for every man, woman and child Seattle resident. That is pre-cost-overrun. And, cost overruns are almost inevitable based on project construction history.

Readers, hold onto your collective wallets and checkbooks.

Responding to Scott Anthony's article, "American car makers failed us" (Dec. 13), I have an electric car called a 2002 (compact car). While not intended to be so powered, it became apparent, either having it towed several times to the local dealer for inspection, repair and battery replacement, something was seriously wrong.

Please be advised that the corporation known as Seattle Cellars Ltd., A Wine Merchant, doing business at 2505 2nd Ave., #102, Seattle, WA 98121 was dissolved as of September 5, 2006. Any person or company having a claim against the corporation must present the claim in the manner as provided in chapter 23B.14 RCW by service of process on or mailing to the corporation at address below a written notice of the claim. The claim must be presented One Hundred and Twenty (120) days of the effective date of this notice.

No. 06-4-06520-1SEA

PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS

RCW 11.40.030

In the matter of the Estate ALLAN E.

No. 06-4-06519-8SEA

PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS

RCW 11.40.030

In the matter of the Estate ALVIN L.