As King County Executive Ron Sims pointed out recently, over 59 languages are spoken in the unincorporated North Highline which includes the areas of White Center and Boulevard Park. Almost 50percent of our 32,000 residents are from communities of color. North Highline is one of the most ethnically diverse communities in the state.

As newly elected members of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council and as members of communities of color, we acknowledge the initial efforts of the council to facilitate public discussions regarding annexation options for our neighborhoods. The efforts by the council leadership to inform the communities, and study our options, have been sincere.

At the same time, we have noted that very few members of communities of color have participated in recent public forums. Last summer, the (Unincorporated Area Council) completed an annexation survey of 1,500 North Highline residents. We estimate that around 5percent of those interviewed were from communities of color, while we are actually 50percent of the community.

How can anyone pretend that this is equitable?

We also have concerns, that effective and complete comparison of the vast differences in services that will result between a Seattle annexation, versus a Burien annexation, have not been effectively presented by the North Highline Council during public meetings.

Based on these concerns, we recommend the following to King County Executive Ron Sims;

A moratorium on annexation declarations by Seattle or Burien until a more effective outreach to communities of color can be developed

The majority of the interviewees in the King County study have been homeowners, who, overwhelming stated that they want to remain unincorporated. This speaks loudly to the lack of engagement that Burien or Seattle has had with our residents.

We also note that many in our communities are not yet homeowners, explaining one factor in why the minority communities are so severely underrepresented in the study outreach. In our view, the study also did not effectively use interpreters during its limited focus group discussions. As a result, starting in January, 2006, we, along with interested community groups, will begin expanded formal outreach to communities of color, to assist the families we represent to understanding the differences in level-of-service that can be expected from a Seattle versus a Burien annexation.

Explore segmented annexation for neighborhoods that are closer to Seattle or Burien

Some on the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council have been declaring that all neighborhoods in North Highline must annex in unison, completely to Seattle, or completely to Burien. We feel that this narrow perspective is limiting neighborhood options and potentially will reduce the choices that North Highline residents have. Neighborhoods closer to Burien, might naturally prefer a Burien annexation, while neighborhoods closer to Seattle, might prefer a Seattle annexation. Annexation by neighborhood should not be eliminated as a choice.

A non-binding advisory vote by neighborhood should be scheduled for November 2006

We will be working with the King County executive to recommend an advisory vote, by neighborhood precinct, in November, 2006, as the first step in moving towards more formal annexation votes held in November, 2007. This advisory vote will allow all registered voters to declare and rank their preferred options (remain unincorporated, Burien annexation or Seattle annexation), neighborhood by neighborhood, and will assist us in determining which neighborhoods prefer an association with which city.

Mr. Sims has always emphasized that communities must drive these annexation discussions and that participation from all segments of the community is essential for a fair and thoughtful outcome. We ask him to continue to emphasize this important, community-oriented philosophy.

Karen Veloria of Boulevard Park represents Council District No. 1. Doris Tevaseu of White Center is an at-large member of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council and can be reached at425 985.0151.