SEPTEMBER 4TH UPDATE: Skylark’s projector isn’t working – so this has been moved to the Heartland Café in the Admiral District.

ORIGINAL AUGUST 31ST REPORT: The night of the 2008 general election, the biggest public Election Night watch party in town was at Skylark Café and Club in North Delridge. For this year’s election season, Skylark also will be the site of a watch party the night President Obama accepts his party’s nomination at the Democratic National Convention. Skylark proprietor Jessie SK tells WSB the event, organized by local campaign reps, is set for 5-8:30 pm Thursday, September 6th. (According to the event’s outline, the president’s speech is expected between 6:30 and 7:30 pm.)

P.S. If any local venue is planning a similar party for this week’s Republican convention, please let us know.

FIRST REPORT, 1:34 PM: That’s Husky Deli owner Jack Miller with visiting U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, there right now – as previewed here on Wednesday – to talk about the tax-cut-extension bill that’s cleared the Senate but not the U.S. House. We’ll add video later of what Sen. Murray, Miller, and others at the news conference had to say. (In case you are wondering, no, this is not a campaign visit – Sen. Murray won a new six-year term two years ago.)

ADDED 2:25 PM: Video of the event in its entirety (only 16 minutes):

Miller introduced Sen. Murray by talking about his 80-year-old family business and its 40 or so employees, and the challenges of competing against “big stores,” as well as the importance of tax breaks. Sen. Murray said that taxes will go up unless Senate Bill 3412 is passed to extend current tax cuts. In addition to those who you will see speaking in the video – Merryweather Books owner Mary Clark follows Sen. Murray – other local business reps were on hand:

From left with Miller, Junction-based attorney Jerome O. Cohen, West Seattle Junction Association‘s Liz Schroeder, and West 5 owner Dave Montoure (who also chairs the WS Chamber of Commerce board).

There were lighthearted moments too: The senator drew laughter by noting she was happy to be at Husky Deli even though she’s a Cougar. And before she left, she of course had some of the famous Husky ice cream:

In the background of that photo, by the way, you might recognize another Junction business proprietor – Jody Hall, owner of the Cupcake Royale stores here and around the city.

Just in – U.S. Senator Patty Murray will be at Husky Deli in The Junction tomorrow afternoon to “join with local business owners to support extending tax cuts for middle class families,” according to a media advisory we just received. The advisory adds, “Senator Murray will be joined by local small business owners and middle-class families who will urge the House of Representatives to pass this bill so middle-class families and small-business owners can get the tax certainty they deserve.” The business owners listed in the news advisory include Husky owner Jack Miller and Merryweather (formerly Leisure) Books owner Mary Clark; the event is scheduled for 1:15 pm. You can read the text of the bill in question, S. 3412, here. This will be Sen. Murray’s third West Seattle visit in less than a year; she was here three months ago to speak during Civics Week at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor), also the site of her October 2011 visit with fellow Sen. Maria Cantwell to discuss job training.

(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
Today, you’ll find volunteers from the 34th District Democrats in a booth at the Delridge Day festival – just hours after the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year, the Garden Party. Last night, partygoers basked in evening sunshine at West Seattle Nursery, with the theme “All-American Barbecue,” and with this area’s highest-ranking politician serving as auctioneer/emcee:

With King County Executive Dow Constantine, that’s the 34th DDs’ chair Tim Nuse at left, and the ubiquitous reminders that this is a presidential election year. The event’s theme even inspired some costuming – Chris Porter was in the red-white-and-blue spirit:

More of WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams‘ scenes from the Garden Party, ahead:

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We’re spotlighting outdoor events even more than usual these next few days, since it’s usually cooler outside in the evening than in a non-air-conditioned house/apartment, so here’s another one: Friday night is the annual Garden Party/Auction for our area’s largest political organization, the 34th District Democrats. This year’s auctioneer is King County Executive Dow Constantine; the auction will include donated items from a Napa getaway to condos in Spain to airline tickets. He’s not the only local political leader you’ll see – prime-time for ear bending while you mingle. The Haggis Brothers – featured at The Mount last Friday – are the musical guests. The food theme this year is “All-American BBQ” – from The Swinery. It all happens at West Seattle Nursery, 6 pm Friday; more info here.

Got a question, complaint, compliment, concern, to share with Mayor Mike McGinn and/or city staff? You have another chance coming up on August 28th, two weeks from tomorrow, at Southwest Teen Life Center (2801 SW Thistle). It’s following the usual format – a “community information fair” with local organizations and institutions tabling 5:30-6:30 pm, then a youth performance TBA at 6:30 pm, and Q/A with the mayor and staff from 6:40 till about 8 pm. His last one here was in May at the Senior Center of West Seattle (WSB coverage here). And in March, he had one at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (WSB coverage here).

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The 34th District Democrats are now officially on the record as against the proposed SODO arena.

That’s the result of a resolution approved following an hour and a half-long forum in which three supporters and three opponents participated.

Many stressed this wasn’t an anti-bring-back-the-Sonics vote, but rather a vote reflecting serious concerns about the location, as have been voiced by organizations including the Port of Seattle and the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce (here’s their July 25th letter).

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As is customary on Election Night these days, there’s one round of results – the major races are on this page of The Seattle Times (WSB partner)’s website. For the two ballot measures voted on in this area, both are ahead so far – Seattle Prop 1, for library funding, 62 percent yes, and King County Prop. 1, youth/family justice center funding, 53 percent yes. (Both need only a simple majority to pass.)

The most prominent West Seattle candidate in the primary, former Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, may not make it to the general-election runoff for secretary of state – he’s in third, with Kim Wyman leading at 39 percent, Kathleen Drew at 22 percent, and Nickels at 16 percent. In the Seattle-area Congressional District 7 race, incumbent Rep. Jim McDermott has 70 percent of the vote, with Ron Bemis next at 16 percent, and Andrew Hughes at 6 percent (the top two advance to November). In the statewide governor race, Democrat Jay Inslee is at 47 percent, Republican Rob McKenna at 43 percent. To get results directly from the county website, go here.

Haven’t voted yet? Technically today’s election is the primary – but two major ballot measures, and the judicial races (as explained here), will be settled today, so don’t just let the day slide by without having your say. The ballot-dropoff van – which is drive-up/ride-up/walk-up – will be set up along the West Seattle Stadium driveway till 8 tonight. Or, if you’re mailing your ballot, make sure it’ll be postmarked today. Last-minute research? Here’s the official pamphlet.

West Seattle hasn’t had a ballot-dropoff box since 2009, but the county is trying something new this election season by bringing a ballot-dropoff van here. We first mentioned the plan a month ago, and today was the first of four days you can use it to vote without a postage stamp. Richard, Kaleigh, and Ted staffed the van near the entrance to the West Seattle Stadium parking lot starting at 10 am today; they’re there till 5 pm, then the van’s back 10-5 tomorrow, 10-5 Monday, and 7 am-8 pm on Tuesday (which is Election Day, and therefore your deadline to get the ballot to a dropoff spot or a mailbox).

Next Tuesday is Primary Election Day – which means you have to get your ballot in the mail by Tuesday night. But you can save the money for a stamp, and be sure you’ve delivered it directly to King County Elections, by using the “ballot dropoff van” that will be stationed in West Seattle tomorrow, Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday. We first reported the plan in early July, and it’s time now for a reminder. You can drop your ballot(s) off at the van at West Seattle Stadium (turn east off 35th just south of Avalon) 10 am-5 pm tomorrow, Saturday, and Monday, or 7 am-8 pm on Tuesday. Lots more election info on the county website. Remember that while this is technically a primary election, there are some issues and races that will be decided in this vote – including county Prop 1 (for a new juvenile/family justice center) and city Prop 1, the library levy.

FIRST REPORT, 11:26 AM: With the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce board taking a stand against the SODO location proposed for a new Seattle sports arena (as first reported here last week), it’s higher on the radar here – so here’s a new development: Less than 3 hours before the King County Council holds a public hearing on the possible county investment in the plan, the Seattle City Council has announced it’s “in discussions” with would-be arena investor Chris Hansen, and has gone public with a four-page letter to him, signed by 8 councilmembers (all except Bruce Harrell). You can see the letter here; the concerns it outlines include the ones on which the WSCoC and Port of Seattle have focused:

… In particular, transportation issues must be addressed and freight mobility impacts mitigated to protect the city’s vital maritime and industrial job sectors. …

The letter spends even more time on concerns about “ongoing financial exposure” to the city and a “balance of public and private benefits.” But it also makes a point that “it would be unfortunate if the project were to founder now …”

Meantime, in advance of the public hearing and expected County Council vote this afternoon, West Seattle’s County Councilmember Joe McDermott co-authored an essay explaining why he believes they have “done (their) due diligence”; read it here. (If and when there is a vote, we’ll add that update to this story.)

6:46 PM: The County Council’s vote was yes. Read about it on their site.

As the Seattle City Council and King County Council consider whether to approve the proposal for an arena in SODO, the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce has gone on record as opposed to the proposed location – NOT to the idea of an arena, but to the proposal for putting it in SODO. The Chamber has just sent this letter to both:

Honorable Members of King County and Seattle City Councils

The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce (WSCC) has taken a position in opposition to the proposed Sodo location of Arenaco’s sports and entertainment complex. Our Chamber feels that the proposed sports and entertainment complex is a type of use that is incompatible in our marine, industrial and warehouse neighborhood.

WSCC is chiefly concerned about the impact such a facility would have on congestion in Sodo. Sodo is the main artery feeding West Seattle. Many goods needed by West Seattle businesses originate in Sodo warehouses or arrive via truck through Sodo. This is also true for goods and/or freight originating in West Seattle, much of it must go to or through Sodo.

WSCC wishes to emphasize that freight mobility is not simply an issue for marine cargo, it’s an issue for freight movements of all sizes and destinations. Freight sitting idle in a congested Sodo is costly to local businesses large and small.

The letter continues after the jump:Read More

The August 7th election is five weeks from tomorrow – including not only the primary, but also two local levies (Seattle libraries and the King County youth justice/family law center) and we have just learned that, for those who would rather not put their ballots in the mail, there WILL be some ballot-dropoff service in West Seattle for the first time since 2009.

We checked with King County Elections after hearing that Burien had received a new dropbox and wondering if West Seattle and/or White Center would get one too. Kim Van Ekstrom‘s reply: No, BUT: “A new temporary service for returning your ballot will be added for the 2012 fall elections. We will employ 3 vans that will park in temporary locations. The vans will be parked and staffed by people accepting ballots at the following locations, on the following dates and times: Friday, Saturday, and Monday prior to Election Day 10 am – 5 pm, and on Election Day, 7 am – 8 pm.” West Seattle Stadium is one of the three dropoff-van locations.

If you’re interested in where else you will find either accessible-voting service or ballot dropoffs around King County, here’s an advance look at all of that information, which Van Ekstrom says will be updated soon on the Elections website:Read More

You’ve probably heard already that the U.S. Supreme Court upheld most of of President Obama’s health-care law (here’s what it means for our state). The first West Seattle politician to comment is King County Executive Dow Constantine – his statement, ahead (10:25 AM UPDATE – we also have heard from West Seattle’s State Rep. Eileen Cody and County Councilmember Joe McDermott, and are adding their statements after Constantine’s):Read More

This Thursday, Seattle City Council President Sally Clark is the guest speaker at the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s monthly lunch – and you don’t have to be a member to attend, Chamber president Dave Montoure reminds us. So he’s issuing an invitation to anybody interested – not just to come listen, but to ask questions during the Q/A section of lunch. Want to ask about development? Job creation? Transportation? Or? Be at The Kenney (WSB sponsor; 7125 Fauntleroy Way SW), 11:30 am-1 pm this Thursday. If you’re a Chamber member, the cost for lunch is $25; if not, $35, and everyone has to RSVP – you can do it online or call the Chamber office at 206-932-5685.

If an ad that just appeared on Craigslist in Seattle is for real, someone appears to be planning a political protest of sorts during this year’s Seafair Pirates Landing, coming up July 7th on Alki. Thanks to Diane for spotting the ad; it offers T-shirts (“sure to be a collectors item”) and $20 to each of up to 125 people who will be hired for: “Holding a sign and/or passing out info sheets requesting that the laws of the state of Washington and the City of Seattle should apply to all.” The ad also says organizers are “expecting national TV coverage.” We’ve sent a note to the blind-box address in the ad, which also includes an ad for a mail drop in Lake City. While we continue poking around for clues and awaiting a possible reply, thought we would throw it out to you – know what this is about? If you don’t want to leave a comment, you’re also welcome to e-mail editor@westseattleblog.com.

(Photo by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
34th District State Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon had ample reason to smile tonight. Not only did other local political leaders including King County Executive Dow Constantine turn out for his re-election campaign kickoff at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center tonight, Rep. Fitzgibbon, a Burien Democrat, is running unopposed, since no one else filed for the position. (Our area’s senior State Rep. Eileen Cody does have an opponent this time around, Vashon Democrat William Giammarese; the primary this year is August 7th, and the general election is November 6th.)