May 2010

I am a 74-year-old American of Spanish and Mexican descent. My U.S. birthright traces back over 150 years.

However, I am shocked at the double talk concerning the Arizona racial profiling law.

This law clearly targets Mexican people. I am bothered by the possibility if I were to go to Arizona as a tourist, I would be subjected to the profiling demands and interrogation or worse.

The implications of the Arizona law can create serious consequences. How will it impact Hispanics in our government, military, media, sports and every capacity in our system?

Furthermore, will illegal Canadians, Europeans, Chinese. Asians, Middle Easterners, Ethiopians, Africans, South Americans all be part of this grand scheme of profiling in an attempt to secure the borders.

It's not about Arizona legalism. It's all about Arizona racism.

With the help of Republicans Sen. John McCain and Sarah Palin, Gov. Jan Brewer of Arizona is maliciously tearing a page out of the U.S. Constitution and trashing it.

The arrogance of the misuse of power and self-sense of entitlement does not bare one ounce of truth in her reason.

Level 3 sex offender registered

The Des Moines Police Department is releasing the following information to inform the public of sex offender Manuel Alaniz Jr.'s release from jail. He is not wanted by the police. Alaniz is a 26 year old, Hispanic Male. Black hair and Blue eyes, 5' 2", 175 lbs. His registered address is in the 1400 block of Kent Des Moines Road. Citizen abuse of this information to threaten, intimidate or harass registered sex offenders will not be tolerated.

Alaniz was found guilty in 2004 of Rape of a Child in the third degree. He was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison for this offense, of which he served approximately 2 years before being released on community supervision. In 1999, at the age of 14, Alaniz sexually assaulted a 4-year-old female.

He served approximately 8 months in juvenile prison for this offense. Alaniz did receive some sex offender treatment and therapy while serving time in prison as a juvenile. However, he refused to attend any type of sex offender treatment while serving his sentence in 2004.

The City of Normandy Park is facing opposition from citizens over the potential construction of a cell tower at City Hall Park.

Clearwire Communications has submitted an application for a conditional use permit to construct a 95-foot monopole wireless tower at 801 SW 174th St.

Some citizens are upset over this due to what they consider a lack of notice.

On May 2, concerned citizens held a meeting to discuss the issues they have with the tower, which is proposed between the basketball court and next to the bathrooms at the park. This would be within view of many homeowners near the site.

The general consensus is that the tower would be "an eyesore."

Also at the meeting was Mayor George Hadley, who said he attended upon invitation and to listen to what citizens had to say in regards to the tower.

City Manager Doug Schulze told Clearwire, he says, that they should conduct a neighborhood survey to get the opinions of the citizens.

However many at the meeting say they were not informed of the proposed plans.

As the Des Moines City Council discusses plans for downtown, the contentious issue of increasing building heights has come up again.

Looking to improve the downtown, the council discussed doing an analysis of the parking downtown and the impact, if any, the 35-foot building height has on development downtown.

Many residents who live along 8 Avenue and 10 Avenue were worried about what they described as a wall of buildings blocking their view, if the building height in the downtown is increased from 35 feet to 65.

"Yes, I have a beautiful view, but I do not want to take the financial hit of not being able to sell my house because there is a wall of buildings in front of it," said Des Moines resident Victoria Nichols.

Ken Klose told the council that increasing the building height would only help developers, not residents.
"The City Council was elected to represent the residents not the developers," Klose said.

An afternoon of festive activities and freebies is scheduled at the new Burien Community Center's open house on Saturday, May 15 from 1-3 p.m.

Visitors are invited to tour the newly-renovated facility and watch class demonstrations, enter raffles, enjoy hands-on activities, and snack on complementary food.

Activities will be scheduled in each room for specific age groups, including a play space for toddlers and preschoolers, a "birthday party" room with an inflatable jumper toy for kids, and an art area where everyone can create batik flags. Senior adults can enjoy a festive Bunco game or try out Wii bowling, and teens can check out their new drop-in area.

Yoga, zumba, pilates, watercolor, senior fitness & chair yoga, belly dancing, and ballet/tap class demonstrations will be happening in the Seahurst Room, which is the facility's largest and also available for large community rentals of all kinds. Booths set up in the main lobby will include information on soccer, dance, art history, computer instruction, massage, hypnosis, writers' workshops and other current programs.

The North Highline Unincorporated Area Council (NHUAC) will hold its election on Thursday, May 20, at the North Highline Fire Department Meeting Room, 1243 S.W. 112th St.

The candidate slate is: District 1: Pat Price, District 2: Stephen Porter, District 3: Jessica Stoneback, District 4: Christine Waldman, At Large: Rebecca Lopes, Barbara Dobkin and Richard Miller.

Any resident, non-resident property owner, business/non-profit organization owner or their officially designated representative who is 18 years or older may vote in the election. Voters do not have to be registered as voters with King County, but they will be asked to show proof of identification and address at the time of voting.

Business owners should bring proof of business ownership, and non-resident property owners should bring proof of property ownership. Officially designated representatives of businesses or non-profit organizations must bring a letter on letterhead that designates them as a representative.

King County Department of Transportation's Linda Dougherty and Tim Lane, she of the Road Services Division, he, an engineer and guru of bridge maintenance, officially declared on a media tour May 5 that the South Park Bridge will be laid to rest at 7 p.m., June 30.

With its failing joints, antiquated musculature, and cracking skeletal system, not even Dr. House, the Coast Guard, or Viagra can resuscitate the 80 year-old bascule span. Unlike the little engine that could, the little bridge no longer can.

A newly-released independent engineer report confirms what Tim Lane and other county engineers already knew.

Like a doctor's second opinion, the bridge is doomed, and no x-rays were needed as the metal teeth obviously no longer line up in the bridge's down-position. Concrete is disintegrating and the spans are out of line. So no more bandages will be applied to the hemorraging.

County Executive Dow Constantine went to Washington, D.C. to fight for federal funding for a new bridge, planned to be placed immediately to the north of the existing bridge.

Photographer Kurt Howard captured these images of the TJ vs. Federal Way track meet on May 5. CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO PLAY SLIDESHOW.

Photographer Kurt Howard shot these photos of Kennedy's 3-1 victory over Tyee on April 26. CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO PLAY SLIDESHOW.

Photographer Kurt Howard captured these images of the Mt. Rainier, Highline, Tyee and Evergreen track meet on May 7. CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO PLAY SLIDESHOW.