April 2007

Seattle City Light said last week its customers should be on guard against telephone con artists posing as utility bill collectors who appear to be targeting customers with Asian surnames in the West Seattle area.

Several customers have reported they received phone calls from people claiming to be City Light employees. One customer's account was fraudulently tapped for more than $3,000.

In the scam, the callers claim there is a problem with payment of the customer's bill by check and demand credit card information to resolve the matter.

HB 1128

Making operating appropriations for 2007-2009. By a vote of 31 to 17, on April 22, the Senate approved HB 1128. By a vote of 60 to 36, also on April 22, the House approved HB 1128, which would make appropriations to the 2007-09 state operating budget. The operating budget is one of three budgets approved by the Legislature each year. These appropriations pay for general state services such as state employee salaries, basic education, and social services. The bill is now under consideration by the governor.

Sens. Erik Poulsen; Reps.

The White Center community is gearing up for its annual Spring Clean event scheduled for Saturday, May 19.

"This is our fourth year, and we are always excited to make it the best one each year," said Aileen Balahadia, executive director of the White Center Community Development Association.

"Our members look forward to this event as a gathering as well as giving back to the White Center," says Pastor Mabel Fatialofa-Magalei of the White Center Assembly of God, and a yearly participant.

The Elliot Bay Water Taxi resumed service on Sunday between West Seattle's Seacrest Park and downtown Seattle's Pier 55.

A crowd estimated in the hundreds showed up to take advantage of the opening day only free rides across the bay. The event also featured live music and activities for children.

The one way fare is $3. Children 5 and under ride free.

Jim Nobles, a social services manager, conservationist, and political activist, says he is a candidate for the Seattle City Council.

Nobles serves on the Seattle Monorail Project Board, to which he was elected in 2005 on a platform of shutting down an out-of-control agency.

"I kept my word to Seattle's citizens to close down the project, pay off the agency's debt, and end its motor vehicle excise tax as soon as possible," he said.

Nobles said his campaign will focus on improving the quality of the city's services.

"The taxpayers expect the city to de

With the track and field season winding down, the Ballard Beavers are relying on a team of relatively young team to get them into the playoffs.

"This is the time of the season when it is starting to count. We are working towards the post season," said assistant coach Bob Mirenzi.

Individually, the boy's team has had some strong performances in recent weeks.

The Ballard Beavers took it easy against the Franklin Quakers on April 25 by starting freshman pitcher Sophie Overlock-Pauley and sending in other reserve players for an easy 10-0 win.

Ballard cruised to an even 7 and 7 KingCo record, while the Quakers remained winless. This was the same Franklin team that was trounced earlier in the season by Woodville 64-0, causing KingCo officials to call a coaches meeting to discuss why the Falcons ran up the score.

The Seattle School District has agreed to a three-year contract and a $240,00 annual salary for its new superintendent.

Maria Goodloe-Johnson will begin work here on July 9.

"We are thrilled to have Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson officially signed on as our future superintendent," said board President Cheryl Chow. "The board looks forward to introducing her to our teachers, staff, students and community members. We are committed to a smooth transition and will provide our full support as Dr. Goodloe-Johnson initiates her 100 Day Seattle Public Schools Entry Plan."

When I moved to Ballard there was still a policeman who strolled the downtown streets and the police log in The Ballard News was called the Ballard Beat. Today a friend asked if she could walk my beat with me sometime. I love the idea that I have a "beat." It sounds like museum security making rounds by night, but in my case I travel mostly by day, looking for clues - as though Ballard is a mystery that can be solved.

One nail at a time during two trips to New Orleans late last year, Ballard resident Julie Reimer helped build a new home for a New Orleans resident devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

Reimer, who lives in Loyal Heights, went to New Orleans as part of the Weyerhaeuser Company's disaster response efforts. Company employees from all over the U.S.