November 2011

Please publish this for informational review by the citizens of Burien on the upcoming meeting on the White Center annexation proposal by the city of Burien:
Public hearing before the boundary review board is scheduled for Jan. 9th and 10th.
Some issues to consider--- including the budget reduction...$400,000 below last year with $100,000 allocated to annexation

Costs too high
1) Infrastructure support, capital improvements, human services, public safety concerns
2) Items missing from budget
3) State sales tax credit in jeopardy
4) Fire district costs (new aid car, retirement account service) plus previous agreement from 1st annexation

Violates the GMA
1) RCW 36.70A.020(1) Encourage development in urban areas where adequate public facilities and services exist or can be provided in an efficient manner
Due to Burien’s lowering their budget by several hundred thousand dollars and cutting costs for police services, without the sales tax credit, Burien would be unable to provide adequate police services to the area providing they would have to increase their contract with King County to $3 million.

Our recent Highline School Board election should give us pause. We have over 80 cultures represented in our school district, and 73 percent of our students are minority. Instead of adding an additional minority board voice, we had two white candidates run unopposed, while we had two minority candidates run against each other.

We replaced Sili Savusa, a family services expert, with Tyrone Curry, a student mentor and coach who bought a new $40,000 track for our kids. We need both Sili and Mr. Curry on the board, but our district election system does not allow it.

Sili’s loss is much bigger than one election; the issue is “what level of representation should we be striving for on our school board, and in our classrooms, to make our district more reflective of our diversity?”

No one died during the construction of the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks. That was also a goal for a recent media tour during the annual two-week closure of the big lock chamber. Not only did the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) want all the visitors to survive; they didn’t want to perform any rescue operations. It once took two hours to remove a claustrophobic visitor from a tunnel 55’ below surface and they are on a very tight time schedule.

Although exact figures vary as to whether visiting the Ballard Locks ranks as the 3rd or 4th most popular destination for out of town visitors, there are many unchallenged facts. The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks are the busiest in the United States, moving the most boats. They are managed by ACOE and their budget is part of the Executive Branch, subject to Congressional approval. The Carl S. English Jr. botanical garden is the only one in the U.S. managed by the Army Corps.

Taproot Theatre is getting into the festive spirit with their rendition of Beasley’s Christmas Party, running from November 25 to December 30.

“Brimming with hope and heart, this holiday tale will charm your whole family with its surprising twists,” said Heidi Staub, communications manager for Taproot Theatre, in a statement.

Beasley’s Christmas Party tells the story of David Beasley, a quirky gubernatorial candidate full of imagination. Directed by Scott Nolte, the play features a cast of four actors, with three playing multiple characters.

Don Brady, who plays David Beasley as well as three other roles, cited the play’s family-friendly feel as one of the reasons he’s excited for the production.

“It’s very family friendly, very fun, and kind of silly,” he said.

Brady, an experienced actor who has been performing on stage since elementary school, has been with Taproot Theatre for around ten years. He is also familiar with Christmas plays. Brady was apart of the Oregon Repertory Theatre’s rendition of A Christmas Carol, but is happy to be with Taproot.

“I really like Taproot. It’s a great atmosphere for actors,” he said.

To help Ballard businesses and the environment, Orna Locker from Sustainable Ballard has come up with a list of gift ideas that support our local shops and are kind to Mother Earth.

"You don't have to compromise your values to shop for gifts," she said.

Her favorite gift idea is to give an experience.

"Give experiences rather than things. People already have so many things cluttering their houses. When you give an experience, the recipient will store it in their memory," she said.

But if you insist on giving something material, Locker recommends shopping local.

"Local is better. Make sure the money stays in our local economy," she said.

Update for Dec. 5
After pleading guilty in the beating of a 65-year-old West Seattle woman, Monty R. Richardson, 48, was sentenced to 34 months in prison on Dec. 2. in King County Court.

Although DNA evidence linked Richardson to the victim's home just across the street in the Fairmount Springs neighborhood, Richardson never admitted to the crime, saying, "I do not believe I am guilty of (first degree burglary and second degree assault)." He accepted guilt because he said he believed a jury would find him guilty based on the evidence.

A letter was sent out to Fairmount Springs neighbors after the attack questioning the conclusions made by investigators and raising the possibility Richardson was framed, but that information was never brought up in court.

Specifically, Richardson received a 34 month sentence for the burglary charge and 14 months for assault. Those sentences will be served concurrently, according to court records.

Richardson was ordered to stay away from the victim for the remainder of his life.

Original post on Nov. 22

The Sustainable West Seattle Barter Fair a “money free shopping spree” geared toward the holiday shopping season on ‘Green Saturday’, is happening the day after “Black Friday” meaning Saturday November 26. There will be a potluck at the same time, so you are urged bring a gift to share with your neighbors.

The event will be held in The Lodge at Camp Long 5200 35th Ave s.w. from 4 pm to 8 pm.

The object of the Barter Fair is to promote more meaningful gifting of products through exchanging services, or items made from raw materials according to Sustainable West Seattle Seattle.

Categories for the event include: Services, Art Crafts, Home Crafts, Food Crafts and Salvaged/Refurbished Items.

Seattle Police Department Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon has made a career out of teaching and empowering communities throughout Seattle to deal with crime. In his monthly newsletter, Solomon shares several tips on protecting yourself and belongings during the shop-frenzy holidays. It is common to see robberies and burglaries spike during the holidays, so be aware!

Safety and Prevention During the Holiday Season - by Mark Solomon

Many of us will take time off and celebrate the holidays. We may buy presents for family and friends. We may leave town. Given this background, there are some things you should consider. The following recommendations can reduce your risk of being a crime victim during the holiday season.

Out Shopping
Before you leave home decide what you actually need to take with you rather than automatically taking your entire handbag or wallet out of habit. For example, if you are going to the grocery store for a few items, you can carry cash, a single check, or credit/debit card, I.D. and keys in a pocket.

On Tuesday morning, Nov 22, Chai, the Asian elephant at the Woodland Park Zoo, predicted that the WSU Cougars will win the Apple Cup.

Chai was given the choice between a pile of Husky or Cougar treats and with disappointment Husky fans watched as Chai headed to the Cougar pile fist without hesitation.

The piles were made of hay, elephant-sized papier mache apples, and football-shaped ice treats.

Last year Chai accurately predicted that the Huskies would win the game so fans are just going to have to wait until Friday to see if Chai's was right again.

The pachyderm prediction is a part of the zoo’s Apple Cup celebration and admission discount. From Nov. 21 through Nov. 27, Husky and Cougar fans can receive half off zoo admission by sporting any garb from University of Washington or Washington State University, such as a jersey, sweatshirt, hat or gloves, or showing a valid student ID from either university.

By David Rosen

At about 9:00 am, power was disrupted to about 80 people in West Seattle in what City Light employees said was a planned event. The outage is centered around 40th Ave SW and spreads out West to SW Holly Street, East to 38th Ave SW, and down South to a small section of SW Myrtle Street. The power is said to be restored by 4:00 pm . You can check out the Seattle City Light's System Status website to keep track of the outage information at http://www.seattle.gov/light/sysstat/

We will keep you updated as time progresses.