October 2007

West Seattle School Board candidates Maria Ramirez and Steve Sundquist offered their differing, but sometimes shared, opinions on public education policy in Seattle schools at an all-city candidate forum last Thursday evening.

Seven of the eight candidates running for board positions were in attendance at Seattle School District headquarters in SoDo. C.R. Douglas, a reporter from the Seattle Channel, moderated the event.

Sundquist used his opening statement to call out his opponent for not voting in the February bond and levy election.

The board of the King County Ferry District has adopted by-laws to guide its operations as it reviews and develops plans for potential operation of local waterborne transit.

The by-laws call for representation on the board's executive committee that reflects the geographic diversity of the entire county.

Board members elected Jane Hague as vice chair of the Ferry District board.

"As we further analyze the ferry district's projects and planning efforts, I will be looking for effective and efficient commute options," said Board vice chair Hague.

Sanislo Elementary School fifth-grader Aislyn Crane is a crossing guard at 21st Avenue and Southwest Myrtle Street. Photo by Steve Shay.

Bob Bohlin, a member of the Class of 1967 who lives in LaConner, Wash., attended last weekend's celebration of Chief Sealth High Schools 50th anniversary. Photo by Steve Shay.

When voters approved the "Bridging the Gap" program to improve transportation in Seattle, a special fund was set up with $4.5 million for neighborhood transportation projects.

A half dozen types of transportation projects are eligible.

This was a test. This was ONLY a test. And everybody passed.

Explorer West Middle School was put through an earthquake drill recently and the private school's 70 students were supervised by the school's faculty and staff and overseen by Fire Chief Scott LaVielle and battalion chief Roger Anderson of the North Highline Fire District.

The drill started at 9:15 a.m., when the "earthquake" struck. Within three minutes, all but two students were evacuated from the school buildings.

Sanislo parent Lisa Keith wishes it was easier for her second-grade son, Zach, to walk to school every day like she did growing up.

"I still remember walking to school and all the kids walking along the way, and my parents' admonition not to cut through the woods - we always did, anyway," said Keith.

Today, there are several factors that discourage the Keith's and many other families from walking to school.

A 33-year-old resident of the University District was shot in a car parked near 59th and Admiral Way on Saturday afternoon. Witnesses saw a male (who had also been in the car) leave the scene on foot eastbound on SW Hanford. The first officers at the scene performed first aid on the victim, who later died at Harborview. Despite efforts by K9 units and other officers, the suspect was not located.

Road rage near Northgate escalated to a serious assault here in West Seattle late Thursday.

Todd Beamer may have had the player of the game in running back Lamardray Fuller -- or he may become the player of the year for the South Puget Sound League South Division, for that matter.

But unfortunately for Fuller and the Titans, Thursday's game against Emerald Ridge of Puyallup got away in the end by a 48-34 score.

"The kids played all four quarters," said first year Todd Beamer head coach Gem Abe.

Federal Way flirted with disaster against Decatur before righting its ship in time for a 49-33 victory.

The Eagles improved to 5-0 in South Puget Sound League North Division play and to 6-1 overall.

"A win is a win, but we didn't play our best game," said Federal Way head coach John Meagher.

Meagher credited first year Decatur coach Leon Hatch for making the game harder to win than expected for the Eagles.

"Leon Hatch had a good plan and he stuck to it," said Meagher. "He was my coordinator at one time.