Last night, the Ballard District Council (BDC) celebrated 25 years of existence. Along with the usual crowd of familiar faces, old faces showed up to the meeting, with memories stretching back to the very beginning of BDC's history.

BDC was created out of a neighborhood malcontent with city decisions on the age-old issue of land development. Residents, feeling encroached by development, said the city was not including them in the choices being made.

So, in 1987, the Seattle City Council adopted a resolution creating the "Neighborhood Planning and Assistance Program." This action established the Office of Neighborhoods, created the Neighborhood Matching Fund program and established the Neighborhood District system which authorized the formation of Neighborhood District Councils. Twelve district councils were formed (now 13), and Ballard, with its rag-tag group of engaged citizens, was the first to get rolling.

While BDC began more or less informally in April of 1988, the first official BDC meeting took place in June of 1989, and the first president was Rick McAbee.

Tom Malone, one of the first rotating BDC chairs in 1988, spoke of the diversity perspectives that comprised the first council, which included business interests and residents alike. But despite the disparity in opinion, the first 12 council members had made compromise, and a powerful community was formed.

"For a while it looked like the peace withheld and the district council grew ... and we were then able to move forward. ... That took a little bit of time, but I think that's great the council developed the way it has," Malone said.

Tom Malone, of the Olympic Manor Club, was one of the first rotating BDC chairs in 1988. Photo by Erik Haugen

From there, BDC went on to become an integral part of the Ballard community, with a hand in just about every major issue, including development, transit, homelessness, parks, bicycling, the city budget, capital investments and more.

BDC was instrumental in creating the mechanism for the neighborhood plan, and in fact Ballard was the first of 37 to adopt a neighborhood plan in 1998.

Warren Aakervick, who was BDC president Oct. 2003 to Oct. 2005, said he remembered when he was approached in 1996 about being on the BDC to represent the industrial side.

"It isn't too bad," he joked. "You don't have to go to too many meetings, just one meeting a month."

Now the BDC has grown from just 12 members to 24, and many of the meetings are accompanied by interested community members who wish to help make their neighborhood a better place.

Steve Cohn of the Sunset West Condominium Association was a BDC president from Oct. 2007 to Oct. 2009. Next to him, Jody Grage, is a secretary of the City Neighborhood Council and a member of the 36th District Green Party. Photo by Erik Haugen

Left, Rosemary Bryne, represents the Sunset Hill Community Association. Right, Jennifer Macuiba, represents Friends of Burke Gilman trail. Macuiba was BDC President from Oct. 2009 to Oct. 2010. Photo by Erik Haugen

From left to right: Laura Cooper of Ballard Historical Society, Dawn Hemminger of Groundswell NW, Julie Beall of Canal Station Condominium Association and Bob O'Strom of Ballard Place Condominiums. Photo by Erik Haugen

Though the council has changed hands over the years from president to president, many of the same faces are still present.

"I just want to thank all the old timers. ... I signed on to get involved in something and it's been a long downhill slide ever since," said Stephen Lundgren, a former BDC president. "There's just so many people who have given their time freely, or people who want to get involved somehow. that's the thing about Ballard that I've always respected immigrating from Queen Anne is how the community welcomes people and takes them aboard."

Mary Hurley was BDC President from Oct. 2005 to Oct. 2007. Photo by Erik Haugen

Stephen Lundgren was BDC President from July 1999 to Oct. 2000. Photo by Erik Haugen

Of course, every neighborhood has their hero, and Ballard's is Rob Mattson, the District Coordinator and the unofficial Mayor of Ballard. He was there when BDC was first created and he has acted as Shepard throughout the years and as a rock for the community.

At the meeting last night, as everyone made their announcements, everyone gave praise to Mattson, who often tries to hide in the background and plays the role of the unsung hero. Hemminger of Groundswell NW awarded him with a "Local Hero" award (a neat wind chime) for everything he has done for the community.

Everyone else followed suit, exclaiming that Mattson was their hero, too.

"If it wasn't for rob, this wouldn't be happening," said Kay Ogren, a former BDC president. "... This organization wouldn't really exist the way it does'

Rob Mattson, Mayor of Ballard. Photo by Erik Haugen

All in all, everyone present at the meeting was full of Ballard pride.

"I have to say I'm very proud to be part of this organization," said Michelle Rosenthal, of the Ballard Chamber of Commerce. "Ballard District Council tends to be the 'Do Not Pass Go.' If you have an issue, you need to come talk to us. I think this organization has a lot of pull with the city council and the city."

Chronology of Ballard District Presidents

1. Tom Malone, 1988 with rotating chairs
2. Rick McAbee, Aug. 1989 - Sept. 1991
3. John Morris, Sept. 1991 - Sept. 1993
4. Tom Mller, Sept. 1993 - Sept. 1994
5. Jay Estle, Sept. 1994 - Sept. 1995
6. Ken Becker, Sept. 1995 - Sept. 1996
7. Bob Harbaugh, Sept. 1996 - Sept. 1997
8. Thomas Whittemore, Sept. 1997 - June 1999
9. Stephen Lundgren, July 1999 - Oct. 2000
10. Kay Ogren, Oct. 2001 - Oct. 2003
11. Warren Aakervik, Oct. 2003 - Oct. 2005
12. Mary Hurley, Oct. 2005 - Oct. 2007
13. Steve Cohn, Oct. 2007 - Oct. 2009
14. Jennifer Macuiba, Oct. 2009 - Oct. 2010
15. Catherine Weatbrook, Oct. 2010 - Present

Zachariah Bryan can be reached at zachb@robinsonnews.com

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