July 2012

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.

(We will post our interview with Sheriff Strachan shortly.)

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.

More than 3,000 Navy Sailors and Aviators, Coast Guardsmen, and members of the Canadian Maritime Forces will be in Seattle on Wednesday, August 1, here for Seafair Fleet Week the Boeing Maritime Celebration and the Parade of Ships.

The West Seattle Herald will be on board the USS Bunker Hill (CG 52)a Ticonderoga class guided missile cruiser whose homeport is San Diego, CA. The ship is 567 feet long with a 55 foot beam and a draught of 33 feet. It can travel at 32.5 knots at full speed. The USS Bunker Hill has a crew of 33 officers and 327 enlisted sailors.

The Herald will post photos from the ship during and after the event.

The ship is well armed with Harpoon, MK 41 and Tomahawk missles, guns, and torpedoes. It carries 2 Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk LAMPS III helicopters.

The Parade of Ships feature vessels in a procession through Elliott Bay, while overhead a “Parade of Flight” showcases aviators in vintage and contemporary aircraft. The arrival of the ships for Seafair is a tradition that began from its inception over 60 years ago.

Press release:

The City of Burien will hold a public hearing on Monday, August 6, 2012, for the purpose of: Receiving comments on the 2013-2014 Biennial Budget prior to its preparation.

Citizens and community organizations are encouraged to participate by providing the Council with their priorities for future infrastructure projects, public safety enhancements, human services programs, cultural and recreational opportunities, and other public services.

The hearing will be in the Council Chambers at Burien City Hall, 400 SW 152nd Street, at approximately 7:00 p.m.

Sign language and communication in alternate format can be arranged given sufficient notice. Please contact the City Clerk's office at (206) 248-5517.

AUG. 1 UPDATE & SLIDESHOW:

Mural artist Augustina Droze finds some shade and talks to the Highline Times about her colorful 160-by-15-foot mural on the western wall of the Burien Dollar Tree building at 4th Ave. SW & SW 151st that began July 16.

What the mural depicts

"There are like these circular meditations based on photographs I took in this area, things I saw when i came to visit, the nature, the urban life. That's why the bicycle tires. In the center there will be rhododendrons, shells, different circular formations for a calming zen sort of feeling.

"The hands represent the water that surrounds the town. You will see as it moves on. There will be waves forming, big blue waves in the background. The background patterns were designed by local children. I'm given a lot of freedom to design and do things that speak to me and I think that's how artists make their best work.

Her creative career involves travel, & a lot of it

Press release:

Over 500 cyclists will take part in the inaugural “Ride Around the Sound” bike ride on September 15th. A benefit for the American Lung Association in Washington, the ride features five distance options around Puget Sound, ranging from 100 miles to a family-friendly ride of under 15 miles in West Seattle.

Normandy Park’s Marvista Elementary will serve as the 75-mile starting location.

The event offers full support including breakfast at all starts, lunch on the course, five rest stops, detailed ride guides, and more. A delicious feast, beer and music await riders at the finish line party at South Seattle Community College. Relaxing coastal lodging is also available for participants who want to make the event a weekend getaway.

“We are thrilled to offer this amazing route with spectacular views of the Sound,” said Renée Klein, President and CEO of the American Lung Association of the Mountain Pacific. “What better way to celebrate clean air and healthy lungs than with a fun event in the beautiful outdoors?”

Colman Pool, just opened on June 30 after a major renovation is closed for the day because all the lavatories are backed up. Parks plumbers have been at the pool since 1:30 p.m. working to fix the clog.

Late word from Parks is they have fixed the clog and the pool will re-open Friday July 27 at noon.

According to the Parks department as of 4 p.m. they had put a snake down 27 feet and hit a hard object. Next they will put a camera down to try to identify the object.

Parks regrets the inconvenience to the swimming public but cannot operate the facility without working toilets. Once the clog is identified and removed, Parks will open the pool after the staff have cleaned and disinfected the locker rooms.

Press release:

Latino Theatre Projects and Burien Little Theatre are joining forces to present their co-production of the 2003 Pulitzer Prize-winning play Anna in the Tropic, written by Nilo Cruz, opening Aug. 3.

Tropical heat and “Anna Karenina” combine to spark rich fantasies and broken dreams, passion and adultery, and a Cuban family changed forever! In English.

This show is suitable for ages 13-plus due to some adult themes and content.
Anna in the Tropics will be performed at Burien Little Theatre from opening night on Aug. 3 through Aug. 26. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Ticket prices range from $7 to $20. Check out special opening weekend ticket deals. For tickets or information, go online
to www.latinotheatreprojects.org, www.burienlittletheatre.org or call 206-242-5180.

THE CAST

UPDATE: AUG. 9:

Press release:

South King Fire & Rescue (SKF&R) is passing their recent Maintenance and Operations levy with a current overwhelming yes vote of 61% and a no vote of 39%. Because the measure requires a supermajority of 60% to pass, they will await official certification from King County Elections (...) Fire Chief Al Church said “Thank you to our citizens for their awesome support of the Maintenance and Operations levy. We will do our part to continue providing the high level of emergency response and that our community has expected and seen for the past 63 years”.

Tonight's the night to get civically engaged. In Ballard, three public events are happening. Unfortunately, they are all landing around the same time, so unless you event cloning, it might be hard to make it to all of them.

First, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Ballard Community Task Force on Hunger and Homelessness will be hosting their meeting at the Ballard Swedish Hospital, in the cafeteria conference room. As the name suggests, anyone concerned about hunger and homelessness problems in Ballard are welcome to take part in the discussion. More info

Meanwhile, SDOT will be hosting an open house for Ballard Greenways in the Adams Elementary cafeteria, which also starts at 6:30 p.m. and ends at 8:00 p.m. Ballard Greenways is a grassroots group dedicated to making roads more bicycle and pedestrian friendly. More info

Assistant coach Tremain Mack has been named interim head football coach at Mount Rainier High in Des Moines.

Former head coach Scott Leick has accepted a counseling position and assistant football job at Kentwood High School in order to be at the school where his son will attend.

Highline athletic director Terri McMahon notes that Mack “has a wealth of football experience,” including playing professionally for the Cincinnati Bengals from 1997 to 2001.

Other experience includes:
Standout player at Chapel Hill High School (Tyler, Texas). 1993 grad.
Scholarship player at University of Miami from 93-96.
Played professionally for the San Jose Sabercats from 04-07.
Has coached football in the Highline District since fall of 2010.

He currently serves the district as a paraeducator at Midway Elementary and head baseball and assistant basketball coach at Tyee.