UPDATE: Dept. of Neighborhoods press release-

Bernie Matsuno to serve as Department of Neighborhoods interim director

SEATTLE – Bernadette (Bernie) Matsuno, a former deputy director of the Department of Neighborhoods and a well known community activist and volunteer, will return as interim director of the department, Mayor Mike McGinn announced.

The mayor named Matsuno to the interim position while he searches for a successor to Neighborhoods Director Stella Chao, who is not seeking reappointment.

It is the second stint as interim director for Matsuno, who is now retired from city government. She held the same position in 2006 under Mayor Greg Nickels before Chao was hired. She also was deputy director of the Department of Neighborhoods in 2007, director of the department’s Community Building Division from 2004 to 2006, and participated in the creation of the Department of Neighborhoods and the Neighborhood Matching Fund in 1988. Most of Matsuno's public service career has been with Neighborhoods and she looks forward to supporting the department during this period of transition.

Matsuno has said she is most proud of developing and piloting a Race Relations and Social Justice Fund and then making it a permanent part of the Neighborhood Matching Fund, which she also helped develop.

Chao’s last day as director is Jan. 31.

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As the West Seattle previously reported, after meeting with Mayor Mike McGinn, Department of Neighborhoods Director Stella Chao and the mayor agreed that the director's name would not be put forward for reconfirmation by the City Council.

In a letter to her staff, Chao said the four-year appointment by previous Mayor Greg Nickels “has flown by quickly, and it has truly been a privilege to serve the community in this post.” Her last day will be Jan. 31.

here is that article:
http://www.westseattleherald.com/2011/01/07/news/stella-chao-leaving-de…

Since that press release, Chao spoke to the West Seattle Herald about her post, and what West Seattle neighborhoods mean to her.

Who will take your place?

"Until the mayor's office makes a decision, or some sort of announcement, the deputy director will step in for me, Kimberlee Archie. When I haven't been available she's been on point and has overseen most of the programs in the department."

What did you do prior to this job?

"I was executive director for a social service agency, the International District Housing Alliance. We had side offices in High Point, Yessler Terrace, White Center, and Rainier Vista."

How many neighborhoods does Seattle actually have?

"I've counted more than 180 neighborhoods. But it depends how people identify their neighborhoods. You could say over 100 neighborhoods."

She added that she would like White Center to become annexed to the City of Seattle.

"Interaction with the White Center community has so much potential to bring more vibrancy into the city if annexed. On a personal level I think it would be a wonderful thing for it to happen for that community and for the city. This is a really hard budget time, but because you don't have the money for something you also have to think about the other effects of not supporting a community, the costs of those impacts."

You have been actively involved with West Seattle's neighborhoods. How do they compare to others in Seattle?

"When out-of-town folks come in and meet with me to see what community engagement has really done for neighborhoods, I've taken them to that Morgan Junction area. The work that started with neighborhood plans, community members is impressive. I think about that area 20 years ago and today it looks nothing like that. It was a little run down, but people were passionate about it. It needed some love and care. Now it is so vibrant, just a wonderful place to be. It was largely about 'visioning community' with the help of Cindi Barker and others at the Morgan Community Association.

"The Department of Neighborhoods helped the community moved forward with the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center and a lot of the programing. It was initially supported by matching funds which are most effective as a seed for wonderful ideas that community members have, but don't have a track record to obtain hard-to-get grants. We were able to take an historic building and turn it into a culture center bringing young people, and people of all ages, under one roof and supporting artists who contribute to the community. All of that energy then spills over to make Youngstown what it is today.

"The Community Gardens and Market Garden in High Point interact with people outside High Point. We've funded a lot of youth programs there."

The three P-Patch Community Gardens in High Point are: Juneau Garden Market & Community Garden, SW Juneau & 32nd Ave SW, High Point MacArthur Park, 2726 MacArthur Lane, and High Point Commons Park, SW Graham St & 32nd Ave SW.

"Laura Raymond in our department is stewarding the development of the new P-Patch on SW Barton."

This new P-Patch is being developed with the effort of many volunteers and with funding from the Parks and Green Spaces Levy, says seattle.gov. It will be located on the corner of Barton Ave. SW and 34th Ave. SW in West Seattle.

What are your plans for the future?

"I have no plans yet, but I want to continue to serve the community."