October 2012

Deadline for receiving items for Community Calendar is 5 p.m. Wednesday for the following week’s Times/News. Events are published based on timeliness and space availability. Email submissions to: hteditor@robinsonnews.com Items can be accepted from nonprofit groups and government agencies only. Others may call Dona Ozier at 206-708-1378 for inclusion in our “Out & About” advertising section.

Art Exhibits

Burien Community Center-- Artist Teresa Burrelsman will be displaying her paintings in the lobby until the end of November. Teresa is a Seattle artist working in oil paints, pastels and mixed media. The community center, 14700 6th Ave. S.W. is open Monday-Thursday from 8:30 a.m.-8 p,m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Robinson Newspapers Photojournalists- Patrick Robinson, Steve Shay, Kimberly Robinson and David Rosen. Oct. 20. 6-9 p.m. Alki Arts 2820 Alki Ave. S.W. Latin Jazz quartet “Todo Es.” Complimentary wine.

Call to artists

The Oct. 4 supposed informational forum sponsored by the NHUAC, struck me as a political rally put on by the King County Executive’s Office to promote the annexation on Area Y/White Center/North Highline to Burien.

The letter from Dow Constantine /King County Executive read by Joe McDermott, that supposedly was sent out to every North Highline resident was clearly a campaign effort at an informational meeting in a manner that makes the agency appear to be supporting a ballot measure. According to the Public Disclosure Commission’s (PDC) Guidelines for Local Government Agencies in Election Campaigns, page 6 this activity is not allowed.

Additionally, according to PDC Guidelines, the King County Executive shall not use public resources to operate a speakers’ bureau in a manner that may be viewed as promoting a ballot measure. Karen Freeman’s presentation joined with that of Joe McDermott’s presentation--both from King County- appeared to be promoting a ballot measure.

I wrote to the county about who was paying for and sponsoring this letter that came from the King County Executive and was told this:

At a public debate Oct. 2, Burien City Council member Jerry Robison stated that "if White Center does not vote to go to Burien now, next year, Seattle would annex White Center and could do it without a vote of its residents."

It is the view of Independent White Center committee, a group opposing annexation, that Mr. Robison continues to intentionally misrepresent this complex issue to frighten White Center residents. We asked Seattle City Council member Jean Godden, vice chair of the Seattle Parks and Neighborhoods Committee, to respond to Mr. Robison's claim. Her response is included below in an email sent to Mark Ufkes, member of the Independent White Center committee:

I should let you know that, misinformation to the contrary, the Seattle City Council has never within my tenure (nine years) contemplated annexing White Center without a vote. As budget constraints currently stand, we are unlikely to seriously consider such a move in the near future. And, as you point out, even if we were to take the issue up again, we would require a vote of those affected before taking any action.

Your safety and $160 million of your tax dollars is riding on next month’s sheriff’s election.

What do you know about current Sheriff Steve Strachan?

We don’t hear about Steve Strachan because he prefers working for public safety to campaigning. He doesn’t seek out the media, so you may not know that he saved us enough money to hire 15 new deputies.

He spends his free time being president of the Kent Rotary Club, a board member for Kent Youth and Family Services and is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

His involvement tells me he is working to fight crime and to prevent it. He puts his mind, muscle and heart into King County.

Sheriff Strachan has encouraged a stronger work ethic among King County law enforcement and instilled new pride in the department.

He will not accept campaign donations from employees of the Sheriff’s Department. How many candidates for anything turn down money on principle?

I must congratulate Phil Stanat (Highline Times letters, Sept. 28) on what may be the most amazing and hilarious political satire that I have ever read.

The man is brilliant, and may even surpass Stephen Colbert in his over-the-top outrageousness.

The Putin quote was pure genius! Thanks for the laugh.

Teresa Kaufman
Burien

I have lived on this earth over three-quarters of a century, and I thought that I would go to my grave with Jimmy Carter as the most inept president in my lifetime, and Richard Nixon as the most corrupt.

However, it is now clear that Barak Obama has taken over first place in ineptitude, and is closing in fast on Richard Nixon for first place in corruption.

Nixon earned his position due to the Watergate cover-up, and Obama will probably soon overtake Nixon with his cover-up of the lead-up to the assassination of our ambassador in Benghazi, Libya.

The details of Obama's cover-up are just beginning to emerge.

Gary Kennedy
Des Moines

(Editor’s Note: This letter was sent to the SeaTac City Council with a copy to the Highline Times.)

There is nothing wrong with having public comment during study sessions as proposed by Council member Fernald. While I understand the council is trying to be efficient, between the Study Session and the RCM the issue connection, train of thought if you will, is lost.

Further when discussion of Public Comment in the Study Session allowed no Public Comment on the issue seems a little odd. Most people do not attend both the Study Sessions and RCM’s and the connect between the issue in the Study Session and the RCM is lost. I was hoping this would at least go to an Agenda Bill in the RCM. Actually it may not have to even be that formal. A person in the audience can simply raise their hand and comment/input allowed after being recognized by the chair. I think comment would be rare in any case.

Barbara McMichael shows off some of the banners drawn by volunteers to welcome salmon back to the streams of Des Moines.

She is on a bridge at Beach Park.

All dogs on deck!

Pooch owners prepare, the Tukwila Pool is hosting a day of pool plunges just for dogs on Sunday, Nov. 4.

All dogs must have proof of current shots, current registration, and must remain under their owner’s control at all times. Spectators are welcome.

Oct. 14 was the final day the Tukwila Pool was open to the public before closing for approximately three months. During the closure the pool will receive much needed upgrades, which will result in a more energy efficient facility.

The Pooch Plunge on Nov. 4 is a day of swimming exclusively for dogs and will occur at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

It is a dog eat dog world - pre-registration is highly encouraged. The pool is located at 4414 S. 144th St.

To pre-register for this fun event or for more information about the upcoming closure please contact the Tukwila Pool at 206-267-2350.

I bumped into an old friend last week at the bank and had to catch up on her life since she last came to my house years ago to fix the leaky toilet. She was a fast worker and a whiz at plumbing.

Her name is Chickie Street. She once may have set a new land speed record when she rode a skateboard down 160th Street toward Five Corners as a teenager. She was on her way to work at her parents’ shop, R&D Plumbing on 153rd. She was 16-- the same age her grandfather was when he came to America from Germany with only a pair of tin snips and no English language skills.

R&D Plumbing operated successfully for 64 years in this community in a building that once was the site of grandpa’s house. John Eder opened Hi Line Plumbing and Tin in 1935 here. His son, Ernie, later took over the shop while his brother-in-law, Don and his wife Rose (John's daughter) moved the plumbing side to the building on 153rd in 1964.