Highline cities continued their economic development plans in 2007 while Burien dealt with affordable-housing advocates who opposed demolition of the Lora Lake Apartments.

Burien and Seattle's dispute over North Highline annexation was not resolved, and the decision was complicated by SeaTac's suggestion it might want to annex Boulevard Park.

Here's a month-by-month look back at what made news in Highline during 2007.

January

Scott LaVielle, a 27-year veteran who worked his way up through the ranks, replaced Russ Pritchard as North Highline Fire District chief on Jan. 1. The possible merger of North Highline with the Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department or absorption into the Seattle Fire Department will depend on the outcome of the annexation debate.

Mike Martin also started as Burien's city manager, replacing Gary Long.

Greg Dymerski left after serving two years as SeaTac police chief and Southwest Precinct commander to become commander of the King County Sheriff's Office criminal investigation division. Former Green River Task Force Commander James Graddon was later selected to replace Dymerski.

February

Discover Burien began an internal investigation of possible conflict of interest against executive director Debra George because of her involvement with the Mark Restaurant. The city of Burien renewed its contract with Discover Burien.

JoAn Cox, mother of slain King County Deputy Steve Cox who was killed by a known gang member, conducted a petition drive asking the county council to fund a gang unit.

March

The sole bid to build the Sea-Tac International Airport/SeaTac City Center light-rail station came in almost twice as high as Sound Transit engineers' estimates. Sound Transit is working with Mowat Construction to cut costs on the project.

Voters approved a four-year educational programs and operations levy for Highline public schools on its first try. The levy will fund about 20 percent of the district's budget.

Debra George resigned as Discover Burien's executive director but continued as an independent contractor to promote and manage special events for the organization. The group's president, John Roberts, also quit.

April

A gang expert with the sheriff's office told the Times/News, "There definitely is a gang problem" in the Highline area.

With a blast of air horns from watching dignitaries, demolition of the old Gottschalk's building began to make way for Burien Town Square.

Burien City Council members rebuffed King County Housing Authority officials after they made an eleventh-hour bid to keep most of the Lora Lake Apartments open. Lawmakers said the area was designated for economic development.

May

Burien lawmakers reviewed plans for a controversial 40-foot, $80,000 tilted sculpture envisioned as the Town Square's centerpiece.

Sea-Tac Occupational Skills Center celebrated its 40th anniversary by changing its name to Puget Sound Skills Center.

Highline Public Schools Superintendent John Welch was named "the most effective administrator" among large school district administrators in the state.

June

King County Executive Ron Sims put the squeeze on Burien for its refusal to reconsider keeping most of the Lora Lake Apartments open. An expected county request for qualifications from private developers to build a transit-oriented development near Town Square was not issued.

Burien lawmakers rejected the planned centerpiece Town Square sculpture. Critics said it looked like a giant screw.

In a sweep of the Pacific Ridge area around Pacific Highway South and South 216th Street, a joint task force, including the Des Moines and SeaTac police departments, arrested at least 19 gang members for drug trafficking and distribution as well as firearm possession. The area had been plagued by illegal gang activity.

July

Nine protesters were arrested after they occupied a vacant unit at the Lora Lake Apartments complex.

Annexation was left in limbo after rulings by the Central Puget Sound Growth Management Hearings Board rejected claims by both Burien and Seattle.

Volunteer organizers pulled the plug on the Miss Burien Pageant after executive director Janie Bakke resigned.

A stubborn roof fire at the Cedarhurst Elementary construction site forced a delay in the September opening of the school. Cedarhurst students were housed at the Sunnydale site but will attend their new school after winter break.

A 20-year, $32.75 million renovation of the Des Moines Marina got underway.

August

Port of Seattle Commissioners voted to proceed with demolition of the Lora Lake Apartments. Two commissioners up for re-election wanted the port to hold off on demolition.

The city of SeaTac unveiled its new branding slogan, "Everywhere's possible." A blue and green three-quarter circle logo represents that people can start from SeaTac, go anywhere, and then return for the city's attractions.

Residents of Des Moines' North Hill neighborhood disagreed over a proposed extension of sewer service.

Annexation critic J. Fulop placed third in a primary election race for Burien Councilman Gordon Shaw's seat. Former Councilman Stephen Lamphear will face Shaw in the general election.

Some Burien merchants said they were struggling to stay in business because of impacts caused by the First Avenue South remodeling project.

Ax a result of a lawsuit, a King County Superior Court judge granted a preliminary injunction that bars the port from tearing down the Lora Lake Apartments.

September

Chinook Middle School in SeaTac became the only Puget Sound-area school to reach step five in federal sanctions as a result of Washington Assessment of Student Learning results. A new Bow Lake Elementary opened five days late with several construction details still not completed.

State Sen. Erik Poulsen (D-West Seattle) resigned from the state Legislature. He was replaced by Rep. Joe McDermott (D-West Seattle). Sharon Nelson (D-Maury Island) was appointed to take McDermott's seat.

The state Court of Appeals upheld a $10.71 million judgment against Burien over delayed construction of the Emerald Pointe condominiums.

Demolition of six of the 21 buildings in the Lora Lake Apartments began. The units were located within the runway protection zone for the third runway and were not part of the ongoing dispute.

A giant Sirorsky helicopter transported machinery and materials to workers repairing a main sewer trunk line along Miller Creek in Normandy Park.

King County Council members voted to re-establish a permanent gang-suppression unit following petitions submitted by slain Deputy Steve Cox's mother.

October

The Waterland Community of Des Moines experienced water woes when South King Fire and Rescue officials told lawmakers that major improvements were needed to the downtown water system. Water District 54 staffers defended their service.

SeaTac lawmakers decided to partner with Tukwila in a consultant's study of joint fire operations.

November

A compromise was reached allowing 162 vacant units at the Lora Lake Apartments to remain as affordable housing. The King County Housing Authority will purchase the apartments.

Shaw retained his Burien Council seat by defeating Lamphear in the general election. Councilman Jim Haggerton was elected Tukwila mayor, replacing Steve Mullet who did not run for re-election.

Passenger ferry service from the Des Moines Marina was set to begin in 2010 as one of five county demonstration projects.

SeaTac Council members voted to designate Boulevard Park as a potential annexation area. Burien and Seattle have also declared they might want to add the neighborhood as part of an annexation of the entire North Highline area.

December

About 20 residents of the Shorewood area in Burien were forced from their homes following a landslide.

Julie Burr Spani was elected president of the Highline School Board. Sili Savusa, Bernie Dorsey and Michael Spear were sworn in as new members. They replaced Tom Slattery, Matt Pina and Phyllis Byers who had served a combined 32 years on the board.

Developers of Burien Town Square announced they were proceeding with plans for Phase II after selling about a third of the Phase I condominiums.

Paving of the third runway at Sea-Tac International Airport was completed.

A state auditor's report accused port officials of squandering almost $1 billion on airport construction projects in the past three years.