July 2012

The Highline School District’s first big action under new superintendent Susan Enfield is to not take action.

At a July 25 study session, Enfield recommended to board members that the district hold off presenting a school construction bond to voters until 2014.

Lois Schipper, Highline Citizens for Schools chair, told the Highline Times that her group preferred the district first undergo a “community process” before asking voters to decide on a bond.

Schipper’s organization runs the campaigns for district bonds and levies.

She said a community process would provide information to residents on a possible bond, physical conditions of schools and a schedule for construction.

The group had hoped such a process could have begun this past spring or summer but was delayed because of the search for a new superintendent. Enfield took over July 9.

If the board decided in October to offer a bond, that wouldn’t have given her group much time to campaign before an election early next year, according to Schipper.

The delay also gives the economy another year to improve, Schipper added.

Among many other important decisions in the upcoming November elections, King County residents will be choosing between current Sheriff Steve Strachan and challenger John Urquhart (you can read our interview with him here) for a four-year term.

Sheriff Strachan (pronounced “STRAN”) served as King County’s chief deputy since early 2011 under Sheriff Sue Rahr until her retirement in April, at which time she chose him to take over as interim sheriff. He was later sworn in with a unanimous vote from the county council.

Around four months later, an audit of KCSO released on July 24 found “significant issues” with the department’s handling and policies in dealing with community complaints against officers and use of force investigations. It listed 16 recommendations for improvement.

Among many other important decisions in the upcoming November elections, King County residents will be choosing between current Sheriff Steve Strachan and challenger John Urquhart (you can read our interview with him here) for a four-year term.

Sheriff Strachan (pronounced “STRAN”) served as King County’s chief deputy since early 2011 under Sheriff Sue Rahr until her retirement in April, at which time she chose him to take over as interim sheriff. He was later sworn in with a unanimous vote from the county council.

Around four months later, an audit of KCSO released on July 24 found “significant issues” with the department’s handling and policies in dealing with community complaints against officers and use of force investigations. It listed 16 recommendations for improvement.

Among many other important decisions in the upcoming November elections, King County residents will be choosing between current Sheriff Steve Strachan and challenger John Urquhart (you can read our interview with him here) for a four-year term.

Sheriff Strachan (pronounced “STRAN”) served as King County’s chief deputy since early 2011 under Sheriff Sue Rahr until her retirement in April, at which time she chose him to take over as interim sheriff. He was later sworn in with a unanimous vote from the county council.

Around four months later, an audit of KCSO released on July 24 found “significant issues” with the department’s handling and policies in dealing with community complaints against officers and use of force investigations. It listed 16 recommendations for improvement.

Starting in September, a new route for bicyclists and pedestrians will be making it's way to Ballard. Called "greenways," the route will be a series of connected roads optimized for safety and comfort so that pedestrians and bicyclists can comfortably travel from point A to point B.

The greenways are being promoted by an all-volunteer group called Ballard Greenways, which is one of several such neighborhood groups throughout the city working toward the same goal of improved traffic safety.

The proposal was discussed at an open house last night in the Adams Elementary school cafeteria, which was hosted by the Seattle Department of transportation and which saw a packed room with 120 people. Both sides of the spectrum were represented in the audience, including bicycling advocates and community members concerned about their commute.

Car drivers will still be able to use the roads as normal, but, in order to improve safety, may experience a slightly slower driving experience.

Colin Dietrich of Ballard Greenways said he was excited to see such a large turnout at the open house.

"This is awesome," he said. "This is a qualified success in any group."

“Alright, blow the guy!” Captain Tim Morgenroth shouted to his crew as a red and black spinnaker bellowed at the bow of the Airloom, Morgenroth’s forty foot Baba.

Morgenroth was saying to the crew to let loose the spinnaker sail from its guy pole in order to complete the jibe.

Confused? That might be understandable. But being with Morgenroth is like sitting in with the Socrates of Sailing. With a deep and warm benevolent voice he explained some of the sailing terms and coached his crew during the first race of the third series of the Ballard Cup last Monday night, July 23.

What he was saying with that thick sailing vernacular was to release the line that attaches the boat to the spinnaker: a spinnaker, being an enlarged flying sail with a function similar to that of a kite which provides extra wind pull for sail boats, especially during racing.

“Just blow it off! Let's do this real slick. We need to stay ahead of those slow pokes! ... Look at all them behind us. We are first in the fleet today,” said Morgenroth.

By Theresa Edwards, Intern

Meet Evan Clifthorne, one of seven candidates for the 36th district House of Representatives seat. After two years of working in the legislature in Olympia, Clifthorne said he is ready to hit the ground running if elected representative.

The Ballard News-Tribune recently met with the Phinneywood resident to talk about the race and his campaign platform. Six other candidates are running, including city legislative aide Sahar Fathi, professional campaigner Noel Frame, Port Commissioner President Gael Tarleton, politician's son Brett Phillips and political activist Linde Knighton. They are all running to replace the vacated seat left by Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson (D-36).

Raised in the state capitol of Olympia, Clifthorne had an interest in politics at an early age. He participated in a youth legislature program as a student at Capitol High before earning his transfer degree from Whatcom Community College and then a degree in Political Science at Western Washington University.

The For Sale sign posted in front of the Solid Craftsmen-style home on the 1000 block of S.W. Portland St. in Highland Park appears, at a glance, like any other.

Closer inspection reveals the home is being sold by Homestead Community Land Trust at the fair price of $145,000 – at least several thousand below the value of surrounding homes (according to Zillow). Take a peek at the details in the flyer holder attached to the sign post and some jaws might drop:

“Will be Fully Rehabbed w/ over $90,000 in Upgrades: New Kitchen, New Flooring, New Bathroom Fixtures, New Energy Efficient Appliances.”

Not a bad deal, and with a little sweat equity it can get even better to the tune of $15,000 knocked off the asking price and no need for a down payment.

King County Sheriff candidate John Urquhart blames his opponent, Sheriff Steve Strachan, for the serious problems outlined in a King County Sheriff's Office audit just released. The two candidates only run in the general election, not in the upcoming primary.

The audit's executive summery cites 'significant issues with King County Sheriff’s Office’s (KCSO) policies and procedures for documenting and investigating complaints, and inconsistent adherence to those policies among KCSO units undermine organizational and individual accountability. KCSO’s inability to enforce the procedures for complaints and policy violations was also inconsistent with Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies standards or best practices.

In addition, efforts to implement civilian oversight in King County have been hampered by labor and legal issues—from the policy development phase to the collaborative efforts of the new Office of Law Enforcement Oversight Director and the Sheriff to launch an effective oversight function.

King County Sheriff candidate John Urquhart blames his opponent, Sheriff Steve Strachan, for the serious problems outlined in a King County Sheriff's Office audit just released. The two candidates only run in the general election, not in the upcoming primary.

The audit's executive summery cites 'significant issues with King County Sheriff’s Office’s (KCSO) policies and procedures for documenting and investigating complaints, and inconsistent adherence to those policies among KCSO units undermine organizational and individual accountability. KCSO’s inability to enforce the procedures for complaints and policy violations was also inconsistent with Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies standards or best practices.

In addition, efforts to implement civilian oversight in King County have been hampered by labor and legal issues—from the policy development phase to the collaborative efforts of the new Office of Law Enforcement Oversight Director and the Sheriff to launch an effective oversight function.