October 2011

The large lock at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Ballard will be closed to all marine traffic from 8 p.m. on Nov. 8 until 5 p.m. on Nov. 22 for routine maintenance.

The small lock will still be available for vessels less than 115 feet in length and 26 feet in width throughout eh large lock maintenance period.

For the week preceding the large lock closure, Nov. 1-8, and for one to two weeks after, only the west (lower) chamber will be available for lockages. The chamber is 325 feet in length and 80 feet in width. This allows crews to pull the east end gates of the large lock for replacement of the pintle bearings and for inspection, cleaning and repair of the gates for the first time in 20 years.

For current information about activities at the Locks, visit the Locks’ Web site at http://go.usa.gov/3sV.

(L-R) Joe Wright, Benjamin, Nicole, and baby Vivienne Joldersma of Ballard attended the Occupy
Seattle protest at Westlake Park on Saturday, Oct. 15.

"We want to participate in this global awaking of justice and economic equality for everybody. It's here. It's happening. And it's great to be a part of it," said Benjamin.

UPDATE:

The Trees for Neighborhoods program has re-opened applications for Seattle residents to receive free conifer trees to plant in their yards.

Remaining available species are: deodar cedar, western red cedar, weeping Alaska cedar, and shore pine.

Trees can be picked up on Saturday, November 12th, at Rainier Bean Urban Farm & Wetlands, 5513 S. Cloverdale Street.

Applications will re-open next fall for other tree species and for street tree permits.

Original story:

The City of Seattle is giving away free trees to any Seattle resident who would like to plant them in their home.

Seattle reLeaf and Cascade Land Conservancy are teaming up to keep our city green and healthy.

Any Seattle resident can apply for up to four trees and participants in the program will receive free trees with watering bags, training on proper planting and care, a coupon for free Groco compost, and ongoing care reminders and workshop opportunities.

About the trees:

By Christy Wolyniak, News Intern

Ballard liveaboards Mara Garrity and David Allen are teaming up to raise funds for the Mandinka tribe in the remote village of Sare Kaba, Senegal.

Allen’s mother married into the Maneh family of the Mandinka tribe and passed away a few years ago. He remained in contact with the family and was approached by Mara Garrity, when she realized they shared a similar passion for the same group of people.

“[It’s those] little soul sparks – you don’t know why you need to go, you just know you need to go,” said Garrity.

Growing up listening to stories about her mother’s dreams to go to Africa, Garrity is now fulfilling those aspirations by partnering with Allen on the Mandinka Tribe Foundation.

“[They are] bringing in a sense of hope with action – just having hope doesn’t cut it,” said friend Sara Pelfrey.

As a 501(c)3, the Mandinka Tribe Foundation is working to empower the people with sustainable solutions that will hopefully last and better the community.

At 12:15 today, October 19, WSDOT will close northbound I-5 down to two lanes, between S. 188th St and just north of the I-405 interchange, for emergency repair work. Drivers should avoid the area or take alternate routes to avoid delays.
Crews will also need to close the mainline and HOV ramps from southbound I-405 to northbound I-5. The closure is expected to remain until 4 a.m. tomorrow morning, October 20.
For updates and detour information please visit the Seattle Traffic Page: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/seattle/.

(Editor’s Note: The Times/News will run letters regarding ballot measures and propositions but will not print letters on individual candidates.)

As George Santayana said, “Those who refuse to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.”

Burien citizens and council members were told by City Manager Mike Martin that he knows the annexation of North Highline/White Center area to be financially do-able. He stated, Burien can do things cheaper than Seattle and King County.

However, taxes may have to increase if there’s been a miscalculation in what the costs will be. Everyone will have to share in these increased taxes. Burien citizens may have to accept a lower level of services and increased taxes because they annexed the North Highline/White center area.

All reports state that when the state sales tax credits run out, the city of Burien won’t have enough money to run the North Highline area because the area doesn’t generate enough money to run itself and meet its service needs. Burien will be in a deficit of millions of dollars.

What’s it that Mr. Martin isn’t telling the council and citizens about his past business performance?

From Det. Renee Witt with the Seattle Police Department:

On October 18, at approximately 10:00 p.m., the victims (female 28 and male 23) heard a knock at the front door of their residence in the 5600 block of SW Lander St. The male victim looked out to see who was knocking and observed a black male on the porch. He cracked open the front door and suddenly two suspects forced open the door and entered the residence. Both suspects had their faces covered with ski-masks and were armed with handguns.

The suspects were described as black males, in their 20’s. The suspect seen on the porch (unmasked) had a dark complexion, possibly East African. One suspect held the victims at gunpoint while the other suspect searched the residence. The suspects took personal electronics from the victims and put them into a pillow case. They also took cash and a credit card. Prior to leaving, they forced both victims face down onto the ground and told them not to get up. The victims stayed down for several minutes, and then ran to a neighbor to call 911.

Numerous units responded to the scene, but the suspects could not be located. Neither victim was injured.

Unlike other Highline cities, there are some races for Normandy Park City Council that are not contested.

Doug Osterman, Shawn McEvoy and Charlie Harris are the incumbents running this year.

In the general election, ballots must be sent into King County Elections by Tuesday, Nov. 8.

We asked the candidates the following two questions:

1.What are your qualifications for the position?

2.How should the city of Normandy Park balance the mix of businesses, multi-family housing and single family residences in order to raise an adequate amount of tax revenue while maintaining Normandy Park's current character?

Normandy Park City Council Position 1

Doug Osterman

(Editor’s Note: The Times/News will publish answers to our questionnaires from Burien and SeaTac council candidates in the Oct. 29 print edition and online at www.highlinetimes.com. In addition, photos of each Des Moines candidate will be added on Oct. 20)

There will be some new faces on the Des Moines City Council next year as two incumbents are not running for re-election.

Two veteran lawmakers, Dan Sherman and Scott Thomasson, opted not to run again. Long-time mayor Bob Sheckler is the only incumbent on the council ballot.

Ballots must be sent to King County Elections by Nov. 8.

We asked the Des Moines council candidates the following two questions:

1.What are your qualifications for the office you are seeking and why should voters select you over your opponent?

Update for Oct. 19, 4:30 pm
The man who called 911 and told police "I shot my wife" and then apparently took his own life has been identified by other media sources at this time as Harvey Spicer. Public records show he was 79 years old and his wife was 80.

SPD's Mark Jamieson told The Seattle Times Spicer suffered from dementia and owned several firearms. Jamieson said the SPD was familiar with Spicer and had contacted him in the past.

Spicer's wife was reportedly seriously ill, recovering from a recent surgery and possibly suffering from Alzheimer's, according to KIRO.

More details from Det. Mark Jamieson added at 9:10 a.m.

A man and woman living on the 2600 block of 50th Ave S.W. were found dead after a SWAT team entered the home shortly after 7 a.m., according to the Seattle Police Department.

Police responded to a 911 call shortly after 3 a.m. from the man, who said "I just shot my wife," and then hung up, according to SPD Det. Mark Jamieson.