Each year, our community evolves. From smaller issues about community parks to major transportation impacts to this small region of Seattle, the West Seattle Herald has been there to cover it in-depth in order to serve our readers. The new year is bound to bring more news that will continue to shape our community and we will be there to cover it for you.

Here are some highlights of 2008.

January

Area's only motel has name change

By Tim St. Clair

The owner of West Seattle's only existing motel plans to renovate its 50 guest rooms and then seek a neighborhood zoning change from the city to allow taller buildings so that 50 additional rooms could be built on the upper floors.

Motel owner Elaine Rho also is considering adding a restaurant to the planned development.

Rho will have to apply to the city for a change in the neighborhood's zoning designation to allow structures taller than the current 65-foot height limit around the motel. The area north of Southwest Alaska Street between 35th and 37th Avenues is zoned C1-65, meaning commercial buildings are allowed but buildings can be no higher than 65 feet.

The zoning designation changes south of Alaska Street to a zone called "neighborhood commercial-3" and a 40-foot height limit.

Rho severed the motel's ties to Travelodge and changed its name because she was getting few reservations from the nationwide lodging chain. The motel had been paying Travelodge 10 percent of its take to affiliate with the national company, Rho said.

The motel's new name is Seattle West Inn & Suites.

Many oppose skateboards at Myrtle Reservoir Park

By Tim St. Clair

Seattle Public Utilities has been installing a lid atop the Myrtle Street Reservoir to protect the water supply, opening up an opportunity for a new park atop the city's highest hill.

About 70 people met at the High Point Community Center to talk about what to include in the park and most of the discussion rolled through whether to include a skateboarding facility. Many people who live near the reservoir oppose building anything for skateboarding, but there were also numerous pro-skateboarding adults as well as teenagers at the meeting who supported it.

As it now stands, no skateboarding facilities are planned for the Myrtle Reservoir Park and there's no money in the $668,000 construction budget for any. Nevertheless much of the meeting was devoted to the pros and cons of including skateboarding features.

At a public meeting March 2007 the majority of attendees were opposed to any skateboarding facilities at the new park. Instead they wanted a viewpoint, pathways, picnic tables, a rain garden, amphitheater and other so-called passive activities.

The new facilities are planned for the northern end of the property along Southwest Willow Street.

Although the new lid over the reservoir will have 2 feet of dirt with grass, no athletic fields or play structures will be built on it. The turf would have to be fertilized and that could pollute the reservoir, explained Virginia Hassinger, project manager.

No restrooms or public art projects are included either.

The site's existing structures; two water towers, utility vault, chlorine building and service road, will remain with 12-foot chain link fences around the buildings.

WSHS staff still tied over schedule

By Rebekah Schilperoort

The future course schedule at West Seattle High is still uncertain after a staff vote this month resulted in a dead heat between a "rolling" block schedule and a straight six.

"The staff is pretty split right now down the middle about which (schedule) to go to," said West Seattle High Principal Bruce Bivins.

Under a rolling block, students would attend six, 55-minute periods Monday and Friday. The remaining three school days will be four, 85-minute periods.

Special education teacher Wayne Grytting said 37 voted for the rolling schedule and 35 favored a six-period day. A new schedule is supposed to replace the school's four-period day beginning this fall.

But a two-thirds majority is required to validate a staff vote, and since the vote wasn’t even close to that, the school will have to figure out how to proceed, said Bivins.

One possibility is to test out each schedule for one quarter and then have staff re-vote.

Bivins said he prefers the compromise of a rolling schedule to a traditional six-period day because it still offers longer periods for classes that require more in-depth activities, such as science labs.

"There's still a feel for a four-period day on a rolling schedule," he said.

Eventually, the School Board voted to switch the high school to a modified six-period day schedule.

February

Worries expressed over future of park programs

By Rebekah Schilperoort

The Seattle Parks and Recreation Department is soliciting community input for the development of its "strategic business plan," which will guide department actions for the next five years.

At a recent community meeting several residents said they were most concerned about the future of teen and community programs funded through the Pro Parks Levy, which expires at the end of the year. Dewey Potter, parks department spokesperson, said Mayor Greg Nickels has made a "firm commitment" to fund those programs using general budget funds through 2009 and beyond.

The $198 million parks levy was approved by voters in 2000 and paid to create more than 100 new parks and trails, as well as dozens of free teen programs and increased maintenance of city property.

Mostly operated out of the city's community centers, the levy has provided funding for hundreds of teen leadership and senior/adult programs and financial assistance to low-income families so they can participate in before and after school programs. Parents and community members said the activities available for teens have made a significant difference in the lives of the young people.

"Sustainability of these free programs is vital," said one man. "I see that as one of the biggest threats (facing the parks department)."

Several parents said their children feel safe at Seattle's community centers, where they are respected and cared for, thanks to the staff.

"That's really important," said a parent. "It's like a second family."

Parents expressed thanks for the late night teen programs that offer a wholesome alternative to the kinds of activities teens could get mixed up with wandering the streets. Several people fought back tears when describing how the community centers have helped build relationships among minorities and young people.

"The center works because of the commitment of community," said another parent.

Herald reporter dies

By Steve Shay

and Jack Mayne

Tim St. Clair, 57, a legend in West Seattle journalism and 20-year West Seattle Herald reporter died Monday night, Feb. 25, a victim of pancreatic cancer.

The outpouring of grief, comment and concern for his family and friends was overwhelming both in scope and depth.

Tim worked for the Herald and Robinson Newspapers for what would have been 20 years later this year.

"Tim St Clair was the consummate reporter,"