June 2014

Information provided by the Seattle Office of the Mayor

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray announced today that two major training programs developed by the Seattle Police Department, endorsed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Seattle City Attorney’s Office, have been recommended by Federal Police Monitor Merrick Bobb and submitted to U.S. District Court Judge James Robart for approval.

If approved by the Court, all 1,300 sworn officers of the Seattle Police Department will undergo instruction on how best to respond to calls involving a person in a mental health crisis, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or other severe behavioral emergencies by the end of 2014. SPD Dispatchers will also be trained to recognize calls for assistance involving persons in crisis to provide guidance to responding officers. A select group of officers will receive further specialized training and take control of the scene involving an individual in crisis.

The 34th District Democrats will take on the $15 minimum wage issue on June 11 at their monthly meeting.

City Councilmember Kshama Sawant and Sage Wilson of Working Washington will be present to make the case for the law which was recently passed by the Seattle City Council. The Dems say there still might be an initiative on the fall ballot.

Also scheduled to appear is King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove, who will provide a quick update from the County. Also on the agenda, the group will consider an endorsement of I-594 (gun responsibility / background checks) and consider a resolution on Social Security Vision 2025.

Here's the meeting agenda.

AGENDA
Meeting of Wednesday, June 11, 2014
The Hall at Fauntleroy
9131 California Avenue S.W.,
West Seattle, Washington

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS
"All The Democracy You Can Handle"

Program and Business Meeting

7:00 PM - Agenda

Flag Salute
Approval of Agenda, Minutes of last meeting, Treasurer's Report
7:10 - Chair's Report

First Vice-Chair's Report
Committee Reports

Roadway Structure Crews from the Seattle Department of Transportation now plan to make repairs to the deck of the Magnolia Bridge tomorrow, Tuesday, June 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. This change is due to a favorable weather forecast for tomorrow. One lane will remain open in each direction.

The job was originally scheduled for Wednesday, June 11.

Dear Editor:
When I asked my mom if I can go outside at my house she always says "Yes" but then she always says to stay in a place where she can see me. Just imagine if you lived in an apartment or condo and your child wanted to go outside you would probably say "no" because there is not place where your child could play where you could see them. Apartments and condos in Seattle should have green spaces because the kids who live there should have a place to play, so the pets who live there could have a place to go outside, and it is a safer place to let your kids play then a park down the street. The apartments and condos in Seattle should all have big open green spaces.

Dear Editor:
Imagine walking through an animal shelter the cats and dogs are begging you to get them out, they're barking and meowing. You stop in front of one of the tiny cages, there's a big brown dog that has missing patches of fur covered in scars and bruises from slamming its body against the cage repeatedly. Animal shelters should be able to euthanize some of the animals. The animals go insane, they get overpopulated and they get dangerous. Have you ever heard of self-harm? People are trying to stop that, but they're ignoring animals self-harm. Why?

Dear Editor:
Would you want your kids to have a bad future? Do you want your kids to fail in class? And if they already are, make it end by reading this article. Students lose their learning when their minds are on vacation for a long period of time. Also, they miss their homework as they go on vacation. This also leaves their teachers more things to worry about. I think that students shouldn't take vacations during school.

By Hannah Danforth

West Seattle resident, Lea Warshawski had a non traditional start to her film career. With a combination of kismet, hard work, perseverance, and passion, Leah has created a touching and enlightening documentary on the Rwandan film industry.

Leah got her start working for the marine department coordinating boats and crews for large productions in Hawaii while attending college. Mentors and teachers gave Leah a chance to work on features like Lost and Baywatch even though she had no experience. Working with these crews encouraged Leah to be a producer with a broader skill set. She began working on whatever she could find, including reality shows like Survivor and short documentaries, one of which was in Rwanda.

A window to Pandora's box

June 2 --- At the 8500 block of Dibble Avenue Northwest officers responded to a burglary at a residence. The complainant told officers that she left to run some errands and returned to find her back gate ajar. At first she thought nothing of it but noticed her bedroom door was closed, which was unusual. Police determined the suspect came in from the back via window after removing the screen. The suspect took several items of jewelry with an estimated value of over $4,000. Police were able to lift several prints from the scene.

Young man accosted and asked to 'apologize' by woman with gun

A window to Pandora's box

June 2 --- At the 8500 block of Dibble Avenue Northwest officers responded to a burglary at a residence. The complainant told officers that she left to run some errands and returned to find her back gate ajar. At first she thought nothing of it but noticed her bedroom door was closed, which was unusual. Police determined the suspect came in from the back via window after removing the screen. The suspect took several items of jewelry with an estimated value of over $4,000. Police were able to lift several prints from the scene.

Young man accosted and asked to 'apologize' by woman with gun

By Gwen Davis

Did you know there is a United World Games for athletic youth? And that this year West Seattle’s own 17-year-old Olivia Wake will represent the city and nation?

On June 15, Olivia, senior at Seattle Lutheran High School, will compete in volleyball in the 2014 United World Games in Klagenfurt, Austria.

She was cherry-picked by recruiters from the American International Sports Teams (AIST) to be on the U19 volleyball team. Female players from across the country were selected, including two others from Washington State. Around 13 female athletes were chosen.
The United World Games includes youth from 30 countries, for a range of sports. Players are bracketed according to their age. Olivia will participate in the bracket for 19-year-olds – the top of the age range.
“She got an invitation and it was an opportunity she just couldn’t pass up,” said Mark Wake, her dad.
Olivia is pumped.

“It’s really exciting,” she said. “I’ve never been to Europe or anything before. It will be fun to meet all the girls from other states, and get to know them and play with them.”