October 2009

The Des Moines City Council voted unanimously at their Oct. 8 meeting to oppose Initiative 1033 on the November ballot.

I-1033 would limit the annual growth in revenue that cities, counties and the state could use to provide services under a formula based on inflation and population growth.

Revenue from both taxes and fees above that limit would be used to reduce property taxes the following year.

The resolution adopted by the Council said "the initiative will undermine the ability of the state, counties and cities to provide services to constituents."

It continued, "the effect of the limitation is exacerbated during the recession, as the Initiative does not address the impacts of a recovery following and an economic downturn."

City Manager Tony Piasecki said a fiscal analysis indicates that under I-1033, Des Moines would lose almost $1 million over the next four to five years.

In less than two years, the City already has experienced a decline in revenue of almost $3 million, Piasecki noted. As a result, Council reduced 2009 general fund expenditures by over $1 million. Another round of cuts totaling about $2 million now must be made to balance the 2010 budget.

Northwest Associated Arts, the group that brings ChoralSounds Northwest concerts in the winter and spring to Burien, is having a tag sale.

Donations can be dropped off at the site of the sale, 13809 1st Avenue South (formerly the Harley-Davidson dealership) on Nov. 1 from noon - 5 p.m., Nov. 6 from noon - 8 p.m., Nov. 7 from noon - 8 p.m. and Nov. 8 from noon to 8 p.m. Donations may also be made from Nov. 9-13, except Tuesday, from 5- 9 p.m.

All items for donation should be in good, complete, clean and saleable condition. Clothing items should be laundered.

Call 206-246-6040 for questions about donating a specific item.

Community Schools Collaboration passes another milestone next week when the local nonprofit holds its first annual breakfast fundraiser.

The event is Thursday, Nov. 5, at the SeaTac Radisson, and it marks another step up the ladder for the SeaTac-based organization.

CSC, formerly Tukwila Community Schools Collaboration, established in 1998, is a non-profit organization created to develop and strengthen full service community schools in the Tukwila and Highline school districts.

The organization's mission is to ensure that all students and families have access to resources, opportunities and essential services by engaging and collaborating with schools and community partners using culturally competent strategies.

The breakfast fundraiser is the latest sign of growth for the organization, which last year reached the two million dollar revenue point.

Scare up a howling good time with treats and activities for the whole family, including the canine members, at the free Boo in Burien Saturday, Oct. 31.

From noon to 5 p.m., unearthly entertainments, ranging from pumpkin bowling and trick-or-treating to wiener dog races, will materialize in downtown Burien.

Bring the little monsters out for trick-or-treating at businesses marked with an orange Boo in Burien sign. Shops will also serve supernatural store specials and hot treats.

Pumpkins will become bowling balls or works of art at two different locations. Paint a pumpkin at Grocery Outlet, 236 S.W. 152nd St., from noon until the gourds run out. Participants get to take their eerie creations home. Bowl with a pumpkin at Elliott Bay Brewhouse & Pub, 255 S.W. 152nd St., from 1 to 3 p.m.

The family hound has two opportunities to put his or her best paw forward. First, decked-out canines compete in the Costumed Dog Parade, which starts at 3 p.m. Immediately following the parade, watch dachshunds wiggle in the Wiener Dog Race. Register participating pooches for a $2 suggested donation beginning at noon.

During preliminary discussions for Des Moines 2010 budget it became apparent the two departments that will be looked at most closely are Parks and Recreation and Police.

Chief Roger Baker was asked to cut $800,000 from the budget he brought the city manager. He is proposing to do so by freezing any unfilled positions and laying off employees, including five police officers.

The positions would not be eliminated, but frozen. There is some hope federal funds might become available which could allow these positions to be reopened.

Police staff made it through fairly unscathed during last year's budget process, but will likely not be so lucky this year. Support costs for the officers were cut allowing for no staff cuts. The chief said this year the support costs have been cut so low he would not recommend cutting them anymore.

Council members made it clear they want to support police services.

A levy lid lift helps fund the police department and was a large part of the reason department was not looked to for major cuts last year.

As Election Day looms closer, Burien will see its excitement in the race for one council position.

Incumbent Sue Blazak and opponent Jack Block Jr. are going to head to head for the seat.

Blazak works for the Highline School District as a substitute para-educator. She also sits on the South County Area Transportation Board and the Regional Transportation Policy Board.

Block is a longshoreman who previously served on the council from 2003 until 2006, when he unsuccessfully ran for Port of Seattle commissioner.

Blazak currently serves as deputy mayor. Block also held that position when he was on the council.

He said he was running because there are "serious problems in Burien."

"There are incomplete projects," he said. Among those projects was the delay in the reconstruction of First Avenue, a project he said was originally planned to take six months that has stretched into three years.

Blazak admitted that the project didn't go as planned.

"This happens unfortunately," she said.

"It was a very complicated project and we made the best of the situation. We're trying to learn from this experience.

On Nov. 4, voters will assess the value of pedestrian and bicycle safety.

The ballot in Burien this year includes a proposed $25 license tab fee titled Proposition 1, which if passed will fund two new projects: a sidewalk on one side of 8th Avenue South (from South 128th Street to South 136th Street), and new portions of sidewalk and repairing and upgrading existing sidewalks on South and Southwest 136th Street.

Supporters of the proposition say that, once finished, the improvements would create a safer environment for pedestrians and bicyclists, provide easier access to Cedarhurst Elementary School and abide by the standards set forth in the American Disabilities Act.

The projects' origins can be traced back to a comprehensive plan the city initially adopted in 1997 and that reached completion in 2004.

One of the primary goals of the plan was to create a livable community that integrates cars, pedestrians, bicycles and transit.

Joe Fitzgibbon, a supporter of the proposition, believes a community's desirability is directly related to the ease of getting around on bike or on foot.

Now they are in.

Federal Way wrapped up one of four South Puget Sound League North Division berths into the postseason when it rolled to a 41-8 victory over Kent-Meridian at French Field in Kent last Thursday, Oct. 22.

The Eagles improved their SPSL North record to 5-2 and their overall mark to 6-2 with the win over the winless Royals.

Auburn still leads the division with a 6-0, 7-0 record and Kentridge is in second at 5-1, 5-2. Fourth place Kentwood is right with the Eagles at 4-2, 5-2.

Federal Way hosts Thomas Jefferson (1-6, 1-7) for its final SPSL North game of the year at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29 before going on to the playoffs. Third place pits the Eagles against Kingco No. 3 Skyway or Bothell to open the party and fourth place leaves them to play Narrows No. 5.

"We're in the playoffs," said Federal Way head coach John Meagher. "Kentwood or Kentridge will determine if we're third or fourth."

The Eagles flew out to a 10-0 lead on Kent-Meridian in the berth clinching win.

"We came out good, with 10 points in a row," Meagher said.

Unbeaten South Puget Sound League Central Division boys tennis titleist Thomas Jefferson added to its storied history of achievements with a second place team total of 29 points to trail only unbeaten North Division champion Kentridge's 32 points in the SPSL 4A tournament which concluded on Thursday at the Kent-Meridian High School courts.

"The Thomas Jefferson boys tennis team accomplished something no TJ tennis team has done before," according to longtime Raider head coach Andrew Buchan.

Jefferson qualified seven players for the talent laden West Central District tournament to be held in May.

Joe Lee led the singles parade with a third place finish. After battling into the semifinals before losing, Joe Lee moved to third place when his Kentridge opponent Paul Yi had to retire due to injury. Branden Muraki was narrowly defeated by Kentlake's Taylor Welch, 6-2, 0-6, 7-6 (10-7) to settle for the No. 8 seed to district. James Lee survived the pressure of a loser-out match to take the 10th and last seed to district, 6-2, 7-5, against Simon King of Rogers.

Constant pressure controlled the climate in a Decatur 1-0 South Puget Sound League South Division girls soccer shutout against visiting Rogers on Thursday at Federal Way Memorial Field.

This win improved the Gator second place record to 9-1-3 while its 30 points maintained a 1-point margin over third place Todd Beamer and qualified the Gators for the playoffs with remaining regular season matches against unbeaten Emerald Ridge, Spanaway Lake and Beamer.

"Our team has shown guts and a lot of heart," stated Decatur head coach Christy Gross. "We've lost four starters for the season, but the girls have worked hard to adjust to the new positions."

On Tuesday, the Rams (4-9) played the Gators evenly for 20 minutes of up and down the field action.

By the 21st minute, Decatur was regularly inhabiting the Rogers neighborhood. The Rogers defense held off the Lady Gator's gobbling-up-the-field offense that was masterfully passing the ball until a 0-0 halftime ensued.