February 2015

By Gwen Davis

Who are you going to vote for Seattle City Council District 1? To date, nine candidates have joined the race to replace retiring Council Member Tom Rasmussen. This past week we asked the candidates two questions:

What are the top two issues in West Seattle that are most important to you?
What do you have that your competitors do not?

Here is a summary of how each candidate responded to the questions.

Dave Montoure

Montoure’s two main issues are development and public safety.

“Impacts of development and assuring that public investment in our infrastructure keeps pace with private investment in our communities [are important to,” Montoure said.

Montoure also said that crime and public safety are among his top concerns.

West Seattle needs a 24/7 emergency medical facility, he believes, especially given the high number of elderly people, children and families who live in the area.

What makes Montoure the best candidate?

“I have a proven record of volunteer civic involvement,” he said. “I remain vested in our local economy and provide jobs in our community.”

Chief Sealth's Daron Comacho finished 6th in state for the 195 weight class.

by Paul Moseley

The third time was a charm for the Cleveland Eagles as they beat the West Seattle girls 57-54 in the Sea King District 2 tournament. The game, a gateway game to determine the third and fourth seeds in the District for the Regional playoffs, highlighted Cleveland’s ability to attack inside and out, and to apply pressure for a full 32 minutes. The Wildcats, coming off their first loss in 14 games to Juanita last Saturday, knew they were in for an aggressive game against Cleveland. The last time these two teams met, West Seattle beat them by one point to win the Metro League championship.

West Seattle came out fast, taking an 8-2 lead on the back of an opening jumper from Emily Fiso, and strong lane play by Lydia Giomi. The Eagles hung tough, and relied on scoring machine Aqeelah Williams on the inside and deep threat Giovanni Flowers on the outside. Both teams played pressure defense, and Cleveland came out on top, going into the half up by two points 24-22.

UPDATE:
The South Park Bridge reopened late Saturday Feb. 21 after mechanical issues had kept it upright and closed for hours.

The closure forced drivers to use alternate routes across the Duwamish River, with the 1st Avenue South Bridge being the nearest alternative way to the South Park neighborhood.

Original Post
On Saturday morning the South Park Bridge, which crosses the Duwamish at 16th Ave. S., became stuck in the “up” or open position after a transmission pump broke. The closure is expected to continue until Tuesday at the earliest.

When dispatchers with Seattle DOT were contacted for comment one referred to the break down as a “mechanical failure” and commented that little information was available at this time. “I really don’t know of any ETA [estimated time of on that one,” said the dispatcher of when repairs would be finished and the bridge operational again.

Signs for detours have been placed directing motorists to the 1st Ave. South Bridge. This route is the same detour that was used during the four years of construction leading up to the bridge’s reopening last June.

It must be destiny.
Seattle Lutheran of West Seattle and Shorewood Christian of White Center will meet for the fourth time this year in boys basketball Saturday -- and for the second time in the postseason.
The two Class 1B teams collide at 4:15 p.m. at Mount Vernon Christian in a battle for the No. 3 and No. 4 Tri-District berths into state regional play.
Both are members of the Sea-Tac B League and they also met in the league tournament championship game with Shorewood Christian winning, 65-63.
Shorewood Christian was a 62-50 Tri-District tournament winner over Mount Rainier Lutheran on Friday as Seattle Lutheran posted a 63-52 victory over Tulalip Heritage.
Regional action will take place at various sites Saturday, Feb. 28.
Both reached the Tri-District semifinals before taking losses Thursday.

information from WestSide Baby

WestSide Baby will host its 14th-Annual Benefit Tea Sunday March 1, raising funds to provide essentials to local children in need. The Tea, at the Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center, marks WestSide Baby’s largest event of the year, with more than 600 supporters gathering for a lively afternoon of tea and philanthropic inspiration.

The 2015 Tea centers on need in our community that is often kept hidden from sight, and understanding how together we can help children grow up safe and healthy. Raising Change President and CEO Kathy LeMay will highlight the afternoon with a keynote address focusing on the role of compassion in philanthropy. LeMay’s work has taken her around the world, fighting for human rights and social justice.

The Tea offers guests an opportunity to give and many opportunities to walk away with gift packages, including roundtrip airfare for two on Alaska Airlines. WestSide Baby will also sell hand-crafted glass “BabyCakes,” created by Avalon Glassworks, with one hiding a $1,000 diamond and white gold pendant compliments of Wyatt’s Jewelers.

The nine month labor dispute that has slowed down and sometimes idled 29 west coast ports has ended with a tentative agreement made under the threat that if an agreement were not reached today the federal government would force arbitration at the national level.

Thomas Perez labor secretary, told both sides that the agreement had to be made today or it would have to go to Washington D.C.

The agreement reached is tentative however and still must be voted on by the 13000 member longshoreman's union.

A vote is expected in April.

“After more than nine months of negotiations, we are pleased to have reached an agreement that is good for workers and for the industry,” said PMA President James McKenna and ILWU President Bob McEllrath in a joint statement. “We are also pleased that our ports can now resume full operations.”

The first night shift in months is scheduled for tonight at 6 with 9 working gangs.

The Disney classic, The Jungle Book is being presented by West Seattle Elementary School on Feb. 25, 26, 27 performing for grades K, 1 & on February 25 at 1:30pm and grades 3.4 & 5 on February 26. plus a special evening performance for friends and families on February 27 at 6:00pm

Tickets for Friday's show will be a suggested donation of $2 with all proceeds going to fund next year's show.The school is located at 6760 34th Ave SW.

BY GERARDO BOLONG
Contributing Writer

SUMNER - The Seattle Christian Warriors came close to being gobbled up by Wolves before persevering in the acquisition of triumph.

Seattle Christian qualified for a third and final season match up with Bellevue Christian after delivering a 50-44 astounding comeback overtime win against the highly combative Coupeville Wolves in a loser-out game of the West Central III 1A girls basketball district tournament at Sumner High School on Wed., Feb. 18.

"We realized it was now or never," said Taelor Willhoite, who played like a fierce tiger for more than 32 minutes of floor time while fighting for five points and eight key rebounds, including crucial overtime action.

The Warriors will face the Bellevue Christian Vikings for the third and final time this season for the high stakes final berth from district to state on Sat., Feb. 21, in a 2 p.m. engagement at Foss High School (Tacoma) near Cheney Stadium. In previous encounters, SCS lost by two points and one point, respectively.

Wednesday, Feb. 18

Girls basketball
Central Kitsap 33, Kennedy 29
The Kennedy Catholic girls basketball season ended with Wednesday's loss at the Class 3A West Central District tournament.
The defeat at the hands of the Central Kitsap Cougars occurred at Washington High School in Parkland.

Tuesday, Feb. 17

Boys basketball
Kennedy 58, North Thurston 42
Kennedy Catholic stayed alive in the boys Class 3A West Central District tournament with Wednesday's win over North Thurston at the Rogers High School gymnasium on Puyallup's south hill.