October 2012

You may have seen them: The rows of RVs lining side streets in the industrial areas of Ballard; the people who claim the Ballard Bridge as their home; those who sit for hours at the Ballard Commons Park with seemingly nowhere else to go.

They’re hard to miss. Homelessness affects a lot of people in Ballard. And now that the temperatures are dropping, it’s only going to get worse.

The King County “One Night Count” last year counted a total of 2,594 people who lived on the streets last year, not including those who were in shelters. Every year, no noticeable drop or reliable trend has happened in the One Night Count. And with the 10-year Plan to End Homelessness ending in 2015, it seems that homelessness is here to stay for a while longer.

Your story on the bank-owned foreclosed house problem in North Highline captured the essence of the situation accurately.

I live in that neighborhood. Unfortunately, there are more foreclosures coming.

It sounds like Burien's new Ordinance #561 is a timely solution that will establish clear expectations of the banks so that these houses do not continue to degrade our neighborhoods.

This ordinance is only part of the solution. The City Council must also give (City Manager) Mike Martin its full and undivided support to implement this ordinance in its entirety.

As residents experience the city looking out for our interests, many good things will happen. Neighborhoods will improve, home prices will improve and the city's financial situation will also improve.

Dick West
Burien

As a 19-year North Highline resident, I am quite comfortable with my decision to move here from West Seattle 
where I grew up.

The rural, small town flavor of the Highline area is quite like West Seattle once was. I have
been happy as a county resident. I have no big complaints with the way things are, but if we must annex, we
 should make a good choice.

In 2004, the city of Seattle purchased five self cleaning public toilets. They were sold on Ebay for some small
amount after a cost of (..drum roll..) $5 million. A drop in the bucket.

In the ‘90s, Seattle residents voted themselves a monorail line from West Seattle to Ballard. After nearly a decade,
those same residents were still shelling out the cash. No monorail was ever built. $125 million dollars. They could
have used that for 25 more toilets.

Does anybody remember the lovely commute last year when SR-99 was shut down for a week? Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, had long opposed the viaduct or tunnel as a road we don't need. "They will get used to it," he claimed.

Stop, Think, Do Not Panic! Vote NO on Normandy Park Prop 1.

I think there are several issues to consider before we give our selves another permanent tax!

1) Should we change to an elected mayor form of government vs. city manager. Kent, Federal Way and Tukwila seem to be very effective with a lot less cost! It is very hard to fire a city manager. All they have to do is fool four on the council. With an elected mayor the public can recall or unelect an elected mayor.

2) Maybe we should have a work force assessment to see what we really need for staff. I have been told by a retired NP policeman that seven could run the police department, eight would comfortable. When I moved here Larry ( our only policeman) ran the police dept. and worked at Govmart Bazaar (security) Then come Sgt. McSheveny, then Rick Kiefer; that was in the ‘70s.

3) Seems like the Pro Prop. 1 group are using unnecessary fear to push their tax bill on all of us! Mr. Schulze has stated more than once that Normandy Park has money to operate for 2-3 years!

In the article written by Ty Swenson on Oct. 26, he quotes Mike Martin as having challenged a critic by stating that the Washington State Department of Revenue was wrong when it stated that the Sales Tax Revenue for annexation that Burien could collect, based on 2011 sales tax, was $4.3 million.

Martin claimed that he would still get another $833,000 from White Center to add on to that number making the number then $5.1 to $5.3 million. This is completely incorrect according to the calculations by the State.

When the Department of Revenue predicted the $4.3 million, they had already figured in the approximately $800,000 that Area Y generates. The $4.3 million number that the Department of Revenue projected is just about the same prediction as the prediction made by 2011 Berk Report-page 23.
Mr. Martin clearly doesn't understand how the calculation is done and gave out misinformation to the citizens at the informational session.

C. Edgar
Burien

I am currently a Sheriff’s Deputy and am very proud to work for KC. I am often asked for advice on what department to apply for when people are job-hunting police positions.

For the past several years, I’ve always replied “if you can’t work for KC, Kent PD is the only the place to go.” I based my reply on the various police department detectives and their command staff that I’ve interacted with over the years.

I recently had a conversation with one of those detectives who relayed to me that the best thing about (King County Sheriff Steve) Strachan is that he “makes you do the right thing.” Strachan held the officers accountable in a manner, which was respectful, to all.

Strachan didn’t do this by demeaning anyone, he didn’t cram it down people’s throat, nor did he appear to make decisions based on some kind of vendetta. He led by example and made decisions based on the good of the department and the community.

Texas Hold’ Em Fundraiser – November 3rd, 2012 (Saturday) 4pm-10pm

You have a chance to have some fun and show your support for the West Seattle High School basketball community at a “Texas Hold em poker” fundraiser, which sponsor players and their efforts to travel to a 2012 holiday basketball tournament in Las Vegas, NV this December.

All proceeds go to travel cost. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $50. Dinner is at 4pm, and the poker tourney starts at 5pm. Ticket includes dinner, poker chips, and chance to win prizes, such as Husky football tickets, Safeway and Starbucks gift cards and more.

When: November 3rd, 2012 (Saturday) 4pm-10pm
Where: St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church
3050 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
Why: To raise funds for the West Seattle Boys Basketball Team 2012 Las Vegas Christmas tournament
Cost: $50.00

For your money you will get:

• Poker Chips
• Dinner & Drinks
• Dessert
• Prizes
• Fun

Please contact the West Seattle Basketball Booster Club President, Pierre Newsome at

press release:

Volunteers are urgently needed to advocate on behalf of vulnerable adults living in long-term care facilities in the West Seattle area.

These volunteers work to ensure the dignity, civil rights, and well-being of elderly and disabled adults living in long-term care facilities. A four-day training for new volunteers begins Nov. 13.

As a volunteer ombudsman, you'll join approximately 400 other volunteers who work across the state of Washington, making regular visits to long-term care facilities to meet with residents and their families, providing information on resident rights and working to resolve problems on behalf of residents.

Volunteers must attend the initial training to get certified, and then must devote 4 hours/week to visit and monitor assigned facilities. Ongoing training is provided as needed.

A very famous name is taking over the real estate franchise network associated with Prudential Northwest Realty.

Prudential Northwest has a real estate office in Olde Burien.

Investor Warren Buffett’s company, Berkshire Hathaway announced Tuesday, Oct. 30 it is buying the franchise network from Brookfield Asset Management. Berkshire and Brookfield will switch agents to a new brand next year.

"We are honored and proud to be entrusted with the use of the Berkshire Hathaway name as our real estate franchise brand" said Mike Gain, president and CEO of HomeServices of Washington doing business as Prudential Northwest Realty. "We will convey the strength of Berkshire Hathaway's reputation and its associated principles of honesty, integrity and financial stability in everything we do.

"They say one is judged by the company that one keeps. In business no one is more respected than Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway. I cannot think of anyone with whom I'd rather be associated in business with," Gain said. "At Prudential Northwest Realty, it just keeps getting better."

UPDATE for Oct. 30

Anyone with concerns over current aircraft noise or other issues is invited to a public forum with the FAA and Port of Seattle, with jurisdiction over SeaTac Airport and Boeing Field.

Here are the details from the FAA:
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Port of Seattle (Port) will facilitate a public meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 13 to provide information on existing flight procedures into and out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Boeing Field.

The meeting details are as follows:
Who: Representatives from the FAA, Port of Seattle and King County Airport/Boeing Field.

When: Tuesday, Nov. 13, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Where: Cleveland High School - Auditorium
5511 15th Ave S.
Seattle, WA 98108

Update for Oct. 19
UPDATE 3: Oct. 23 FAA/Port of Seattle Public Forum cancelled; Will be rescheduled for November