October 2008

As a former member of the Burien Park Board and promoter of open space in our community, I strongly support rezoning the Ruth Dykeman property, not for condos and homes but as a Burien park.

To counter the fears of Lake Burien residents, consider Arbor Lake in North Burien. This lovely little pond with its small shoreline park has not (at least to my knowledge) negatively impacted the health of that lake or the peace in that community.

Lake Burien is a public resource from which the public is excluded because it is completely surrounded by private property.

A well-attended graffiti meeting was held in Lakewood Park by the manager of the King County Evergreen maintenance district.

The school director of security stated at this meeting that the school district spent $67,000 on graffiti cleanup and paint over.

Additional new Highline schools and new buses have been delayed because of the current economic downturn.

Assistant Highline schools superintendent Geri Fain told board members on Oct. 22 that district staff is recommending that board members postpone placing a construction bond and transportation levy on the ballot.

Plans were underway to put a school construction bond on the March ballot. Fain told board members the proposed measure should be delayed until March 2010.

Seniors, students, teachers, parents and the Mt. Rainier Swim and Dive Team--around 70 people in all--packed the Des Moines City Council meeting last Thursday voicing their support for Mt. Rainier Pool after hearing the city might terminating the pool's contract early to balance the budget.

The Mt.

The 33rd Legislative District will have a new representative following the Nov. 4 election.

Social worker Tina Orwall, who received over 60 percent of the primary vote, is facing advertising agency owner Todd Gibson in the race to replace Rep Shay Schual-Berke. The veteran lawmaker did not seek reelection.

Orwall is the former chairwoman of the 33rd District Democrats.

Gibson listed the G.O.P. Party as his preference on the ballot. He is also an adjunct instructor at Highline Community College in Des Moines.

Incumbent 33rd District Rep.

The City of SeaTac is accepting applications from SeaTac citizens interested in applying for council appointment to Position No. 5, with a term through the November 2009 General Election certification period.

The council member would replace Joe Brennan who died on Oct. 14. Brennan had served on the council since the city's incorporation in 1989.

Applications are available from the City Clerk's Office at 4800 South 188th Street, SeaTac, WA 98188 or online at www.ci.seatac.wa.us. Any questions, call 206.973.4660.

Tim Eyman and parking limits on residential property took center stage at the Burien council meeting on Oct. 20.

Former state Transportation Secretary, Doug MacDonald, spoke to the council as an opponent of I-985, an initiative that would open HOV lanes to all drivers with the exception of heavy commuting hours in the mornings and afternoons. In addition, the measure would move toward synchronizing all traffic lights and restrict the use of toll revenue.

MacDonald said he has been doing a series of speeches against 1-985 to city councils throughout the state.

The Second World War had recently ended when Gertrude Finney and her husband, Roy, came to White Center to live in a house her mother had found for them. The house was on the streetcar line to Seattle, so getting to and from work would be convenient.

But instead of taking a job in the city, Gertrude took part-time work at the White Center Library when it was located in the basement of the old fieldhouse on 104th Ave. S.W.

According to the history provided by the White Center Chamber of Commerce, "members of the Mountain View School P.T.A.

Reba Gilman, Principal and CEO of Aviation High School, has received the Museum of Flight's 2008 Pathfinder Award recognizing pioneering achievements in flying, engineering, education, operations, and manufacturing.

The award honors individuals or teams from the Pacific Northwest for significant contributions to aeronautics and astronautics. Previous recipients include William Boeing, Sr. and former astronaut (and current Museum of Flight CEO and President) Bonnie Dunbar.

At the Highline School District board meeting, Gilman said, "This is truly an honor.

Katherine Kertzman, program director for Seattle Southside Visitor Services, was appointed by Gov. Christine Gregoire to the Washington State Tourism Commission on Oct.