January 2007

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.

No. 06-4-06725-5SEA

PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS

RCW 11.40.030

In the matter of the Estate MERRILEE A.

IN AND FOR THE

COUNTY OF KING

NO: 06-4-04184-1SEA

NOTICE OF HEARING PETITION FOR DISTRIBUTION

CLERK'S ACTION REQUIRED

In the matter of the estate of: KAY E. ERAUTT (AKA Katherine E. Erautt), Deceased.

The aggressive commercial and residential development sweeping Ballard threatens to degrade the ambiance of the funky and historic neighborhood - or, the swanky new condos, attractive shops and trendy restaurants will create new excitement and give a financial shot in the arm to local businesses.

When it comes to what's in store for Ballard, it depends upon whom you ask.

There are roughly twenty large-scale projects currently underway or recently completed in the area of NW Market Street and Ballard Ave NW according to Ballard Neighborhood District Coordinator Rob Mattson

While the search for a new superintendent is still in its infancy, whoever gets the job will likely have his or her hands full; enrollment in the 45,000-student district is slowly declining and a contentious school closure process has divided the board and alienated families.

Some say the new superintendent should have a background in education, which Manhas and the two district chiefs before him had lacked.

The Seattle School Board should keep the names of potential superintendent candidates confidential until late in the process if the district wants to attract the best candidates, Ray & Associates, the firm selected to lead the nationwide search, told the board last Wednesday.

Superintendent Raj Manhas announced in October his intent to leave the district when his contract ends in August.

Mayor Greg Nickels has nominated Stella Chao, a long-time community leader, as the new director of the city*s Department of Neighborhoods.

"Stella has a passion for bringing people together, building community and serving the residents of Seattle," Nickels said. "This is a city of great neighborhoods and strong communities.

Farid Chouery, a shoring and structural engineer, has a proposal to build a new Alaskan Way Viaduct without tearing down the existing one and without completely stopping traffic.

First new anchors would be built. Then high-strength steel columns would be raised and encased in high-strength concrete. These would become the viaduct's new support columns. Working from below, crews would drill horizontally through the existing decks one at a time, and insert new high-strength steel to reinforce new high-strength concrete girders.

Sally Soriano may have made the most inportant statement of her career as a member of the Seattle School Board when she said the district needs to chage its "window dressing process" of dealing with the public.

The process she is talking about has frustrated and angered a great number of people who attempt to deal with the board only to get the impression they are being listened to but then ignored and dismissed.

Each board meeting includes a time when people can address the directors on whatever concerns, worries or upsets them.

'Bodies' exhibit is unethical

By Dianne Rider

When I drove into Seattle, one of the billboards made me throw up a little, in the back of my throat. Maybe you've seen it? It's the one for Bodies, the Exhibition and it flaunts having "real human bodies." (See story, photos in the Dec. 27 issue.)

Now, I didn't almost throw up for the typical reasons because I have been working with cadavers in my anatomy lab for an entire semester. They don't bother me one bit. Our cadavers are treated with respect and dignity and they consented to be there.