August 2009

Returns are still being counted from the Aug. 18 primary election, but updated results have been released.

The final count will be released Sept. 2. The general election is Nov. 3.

RESULTS:

City of Seattle Mayor:

Mike McGinn 27.69 percent
Joe Mallahan 26.92 percent

Greg Nickels (conceded) 25.35 percent
James Donaldson 8.14 percent
Jan Drago 7.20 percent
Elizabeth Campbell 2.46 percent
Kwame Wyking Garrett 1.04 percent
Norman Zadok Sigler 0.88 percent
Write-in 0.32 percent

City of Seattle Council Position No. 4:

Sally Bagshaw 51.06 percent
David Bloom 18.28 percent

Dorsol Plants 14.32 percent
Thomas Tobin 8.27 percent
Brian Carver 7.70 percent
Write-in 0.28 percent

City of Seattle Council Position No. 6:

Nick Licata 55.79 percent
Jessie Israel 29.63 percent

Marty Kaplan 14.17 percent
Write-in 0.42 percent

City of Seattle Council Position No. 8:

The construction of Burien Town Square has been finished finally, looks wonderful, and will definitely be an asset as well as a centerpiece for the city of Burien.
It was an unfortunate victim of an economic downturn, forcing it to be left half completed. The city has used some creative ideas in what to do with the unused real estate in the meantime.
What also has been left since the grand opening is a glut of empty residential and commercial properties. The residences are mostly waiting for sales of homes as a contingency in the purchase of the condominiums and there is also much publicized excess in supply of condos in today's market.
As for commercial space, the reasons for vacancies are somewhat different. There is obviously a downturn in the economy causing pessimism and caution in beginning new business ventures.
Having all this space going unoccupied and unproductive has got to be costly, so I believe some bold and innovative measures may be needed.
First and foremost one has to address the price/cost of the space offered, it begs the question as whether it is competitive when compared to comparable footage.

(Editor's Note: This letter was sent to lawmakers hosting an Aug. 19 meeting on airport noise with a copy to the Times/News.)
I must take exception to your post card statement that "the State has no jurisdiction over Sea-Tac Airport flight operations."
If you will recall during World War II an emergency war measure was passed to protect the ports from Japanese battleships The Port was given the power to levy property taxes without a vote of the people.
I have not seen any Japanese battleships in Puget Sound recently. However, the Port is still on public welfare and collecting $78 million per year in property taxes without a vote of the people. The Legislature should make a long overdue change to the Port RCW.
Most of that $78 million goes to somewhat frivolous construction projects such as rental car parking garages. That $78 million construction money could be better used by the cities and county for important construction, such as dikes, schools and so on.

When Tuan Hoang’s went to sleep on the night of Aug. 24 he never imagined he might lose most of his possessions by morning.

But he awoke to smoke coming from the kitchen and knew he and his six family members staying with him in his rented home at 10044 20th Ave. S.W. had to get out right away.

Now, with the help of the American Red Cross, Hoang’s family is staying in a hotel near the Southcenter Mall, while he looks for a new place to live.

“We lost almost everything,” Hoang said.

Hoang said he needs just about everything to start over, including clothes, kitchen tools, appliances, beds and other furniture.

Hoang is from Vietnam originally but has been living in Seattle since 2002. he had rented the North Highline home since January.

At 4:45 a.m. on Aug. 24, units from the North Highline Fire District, City of SeaTac Fire Services and Burien Fire Department responded to the call, according to a report from the North Highline Fire. Initial reports indicated that the whole top floor of the house was on fire.

The Seattle Department of Transportation's paving project on Fauntleroy is nearing completion, according to the city.

The final overlay begins today, Thursday, Aug. 27 and is expected to be finished by Friday night. Traffic will be shifted several times throughout the day but uniformed police officers will be on site to assist traffic.

Read previous West Seattle Herald coverage here.

Crews expect to continue into the evening, working long days in an attempt to complete all the paving before the weekend.

Since May, crews have been rebuilding large portions of the roadway from Southwest Alaska Street to Southwest Holly Street, including: new curb ramps to improve accessibility, drainage improvements, new bike lanes, sharrows, and additional marked crosswalks.

Shortly after the final overlay is completed, the contractor will begin striping the roadway with the new channelization (lane configuration).
Barrels and caution tape will remain in place until all of the striping is completed. During the same time, incidental work will also be finished.

We can't afford to wait for reform. Each day, 390 people in Washington lose their health care coverage.
And without reform, those who still have insurance will see their yearly premiums go up by $9,323 in the next decade-to a staggering $22,522.
Reform with a real public option is key to expanding coverage. Under current legislation, which includes a strong public health insurance option, 593,000 people in Washington and 37 million Americans nationwide will gain coverage by 2019.
A real public health insurance option is crucial to lowering costs: With premiums projected to hit $22,522, we need to get costs down.
By spurring competition, a public plan will help bring down out-of-control costs for individuals, families, and small businesses.
C. Richardson
Burien

The saga continues... Last Jan. Dr. Clark replaced my left shoulder. It was such a success and such a blessing to be pain free on the left side that I, once again, entrusted myself into his brilliant hands and the wonderful surgical nurses of Highline Hospital.
They did their magic while I slept, and I am now the proud, PAIN FREE owner of two bionic shoulders.
_After they finished, they passed me off to the ICU staff, and then I was taken to my lovely room on the 4th floor. It was like old home week; I was re-acquainted w/ the great nurses and the CNA's that helped me last time and, I made some new friends.
Their professionalism, sense of humor, and willingness to see to my comfort was superlative! I especially appreciated the night shift staff that tippy-toed in and took my vitals without turning on that horrible bright light; barely waking me up - Thanks guys.
My favorite Reiki person came by and treated me; sadly, the young lady from Highline High School, who serenaded us with her lovely violin music last time, seems to be on summer vacation.

If Fire District #2 is looking for a new location that would not swallow available parking in Burien, how about the abandoned Nissan dealership at 160th and Ambaum?
It has access to 1st Ave. So. and 509. And I would bet the dealer is looking for a deal.
Bill Wippel
Normandy Park

There are so many arguments about health care reform that the opportunities are in danger of being lost. But our country has a great opportunity to fix at least two serious problems.
The first is we need to make sure that every woman can get maternity coverage. For example, if pregnancy is defined as pre-existing, then a woman might not be able to afford needed maternity care.
A second reason to improve the current system is to make sure that children who are born with a birth defect or serious condition, including disabilities caused by being born preterm, can get the quality, affordable and comprehensive medical care they need to survive and thrive.
This is not about special interests; it's about our families. As a March of Dimes volunteer, the health of women, newborns, and children matters to me.
I hope that our leaders in Washington remember this and don't lose sight of what this generation should be doing to ensure healthy future generations.
Amy Benson
SeaTac

I know that we are all proud of the Seattle/King County light rail system, and all the patient supporters must have been thrilled that it finally opened last week.
After all, it has only been fourteen years and cost a mere $187 MILLION DOLLARS per mile. Therefore, I'm sure that you were devastated that they had an electrical failure last week that shut half of the system down for about half the day.
But they will return even though there is lack of parking along the route and they will use our congested highway system in an attempt to get to the stations. But not to worry about ridership as very soon favored bus routes will be canceled leaving light rail as the only option and next we will build tenement styled multiple dwelling units so those choosing to ride this system may live close to the tracks totally eliminating the need for those terrible pollution devices known as automobiles.
However, true believers and supporters of this system like all of us can take heart in the knowledge that the total system will be completed in only a short twenty more years and only several billion more dollars!
Ride the Wave to Bankruptcy!
Gary Kennedy
Des Moines