West Seattle, Washington
16 Friday
We’re just back from Seattle U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott‘s office downtown, where several local families including members of West Seattle’s CoolMom group visited to ask him to support the American Clean Energy and Security Act (here’s a National Wildlife Federation page about the campaign; here’s more information on the bill from OpenCongress). The congressman wasn’t there but staffers greeted the group and also accepted hand-created items including this:
The proposal, House Bill 2454, also known as ACES, may come up for a vote in the U.S. House later this month. You can share your opinion on this (or any other matter before Congress) with Rep. McDermott, whose district includes the entire city of Seattle, by going here.
(WSB photo from Upper Fauntleroy, December 2008)
The city Ethics (and Elections) Commission issued a short letter to Mayor Nickels late today, saying that in his response for an investigation into whether any aspect of the snowstorm response constituted an ethics violation, “… there is insufficient evidence to charge anyone with a violation of the Ethics Code.” Accompanying that letter, their report on who they talked to and what they found out. See the report here; see the letter here. We’re checking the report now for any West Seattle specifics – you’ll recall, one of the allegations was that extra snow-clearing was done in north West Seattle, where the mayor, deputy mayor Tim Ceis and SDOT director Grace Crunican live. ADDED: Page 3 of the report is where the findings in those allegations begin – read on for our cut-and-paste if that’s easier:Read More
“DUMP THE PUMP DAY”: Area transit agencies say today’s the day to take a bus, ride a bike, walk, carpool, anything but drive alone. Side note: Just looked up our D-the-P Day item from last year. It notes that gas at a certain station was about $4.33, while on the same date in 2007, it was more like what it is now, just under $3. (P.S. We just might see you today on the King County Water Taxi.)
SOUNDWAY “VACATION” TO DESIGN COMMISSION: Why the Water Taxi, you ask? We’re expecting to head downtown for a Seattle Design Commission review at 11 this morning at City Hall – seems terribly appropriate this one’s happening on “Dump the Pump Day,” because it involves greenbelt once targeted for roadbuilding that never happened, the “Soundway” property in the West Duwamish Greenbelt. For this to officially be preserved as greenbelt, its once-planned streets/alleys have to be officially “vacated,” and the SDC has to off on those. (Here’s the agenda.)
ALSO AT CITY HALL: The next big campaign forum is at 5 pm tonight, presented by the City Neighborhood Council. City Council candidates are in the spotlight this time.
SOUTH SEATTLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS MAKE HISTORY: Tonight’s SSCC graduation at Brockey Center, 7:30 pm, includes the first 4-year graduates from its Hospitality Management program.
That’s West Seattle Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Patti Mullen with Seattle City Councilmember Tim Burgess at Chamber HQ earlier this afternoon, as the WSCC hosted its latest “Lunch with LEO” (Local Elected Official). Burgess was the second councilmember to take part (after Tom Rasmussen last month – WSB photo here). Since Burgess chairs the Public Safety, Human Services and Education Committee, you won’t be surprised to hear that most of the questions from participants involved crime and other public-safety matters, including much discussion of the new Youth Violence Prevention Initiative. That’s one of the main issues in the spotlight when the entire City Council comes to West Seattle later this month for a town hall-style meeting (6:30 pm June 25, The Hall at Fauntleroy, as reported here). We also asked Burgess for his thoughts on the “Nickelsville” homeless encampment situation on the eastern edge of West Seattle (most recent WSB coverage here); he did not comment directly on whether the campers should be evicted for trespassing (as they were on another section of the same site last fall) but did say, “Encampments do not provide permanent solutions,” while allowing that this one was better than encampments like those cleared off the hillsides over I-5, but then pointing out that the better solution, in his view, lies with measures such as the new Housing Levy that voters will consider this fall. (Watch the WS Chamber’s website for the next “Lunch with LEO” opportunity.)
We’re not yet publishing every back-and-forth in every key race – our in-the-works Election page will be your HQ for that, if you’re interested – but since this is a major issue for West Seattle, here’s the statement just issued by King County Council Chair Dow Constantine‘s County Executive campaign regarding the latest developments in the continuing process of a potential new Seattle-and-other-cities misdemeanor-offenders jail (with a West Seattle site remaining under consideration) – he says if he’s elected KCE, there won’t be a need for a new city jail – read on:Read More
Today we spotted that additional “no trespassing” sign stenciled onto a concrete barrier at the homeless encampment that calls itself “Nickelsville” (note the hand-lettered sign on the left side of the photo), now in its second week on state-owned land on the east edge of West Seattle (2nd SW/Highland Park Way; map). We had a request out to the camp spokesperson for comment on where things stand, when this arrived from a group of state legislators including West Seattle’s Reps. Sharon Nelson and Eileen Cody:
Dear Governor Gregoire,
As you know, the tent city providing housing for approximately fifty homeless men and women has relocated once again, to land in West Seattle owned by WSDOT and currently not in use.
We write today to respectfully request that WSDOT allow the residents to stay on this unused land temporarily while they work towards a long-term solution for their community.
Due in large part to our troubled economic situation, homelessness has sharply increased in recent months. The 2009 annual One Night Count, conducted on January 30, found 2,827 individuals without shelter in King County, in addition to the approximately 5,800 who found shelter at emergency shelters and transitional housing programs.
Meanwhile, 50 homeless men and women died outside or by violence in 2008, and 16 have already died this year. Our state’s willingness to be patient and compassionate towards those without homes will mean the difference between life and death for many of these individuals.
Please consider negotiating with the residents of the tent city to work towards a mutually agreeable solution.
Sincerely,
Sen. Karen Keiser, 33rd District
Rep. Maralyn Chase, 32nd District
Rep. Eileen Cody, 34th District
Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson, 36th District
Rep. Bob Hasegawa, 11th District
Rep. Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney, 46th District
Rep. Sharon Nelson, 34th District
Rep. Jamie Pedersen, 43rd District
Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos, 37th District
We note that West Seattle’s State Sen. Joe McDermott is not among the signatories and will be asking him for comment; the most recent statement from encampment organizers is on their website, noting the original trespass posting last Tuesday (WSB coverage here) and saying, “… The good news is that there has not YET been any time and date set for forcible expulsion, or d-day. …” 10:39 PM UPDATE: First – heard back from Sen. McDermott; he is out of state, in a study program this month at Harvard, so that’s the only reason he isn’t involved in this right now. Second, also heard back from Nickelsville spokesperson Revel Smith, who says “… nothing new tonight. Arranging hot food, donations and things like that.” Smith also shared this photo of the camp, beyond the barrier we showed above:
More of Smith’s photos from the camp can be found here.
Next time West Seattle’s biggest political group, the 34th District Democrats, meet, they will decide who else to endorse for the August primary — and that’s why more than two dozen candidates in almost one dozen races came to The Hall at Fauntleroy last night for our area’s biggest pre-primary candidates’ forum.
One week earlier, four of the contenders for King County Executive took questions in the InSPIRe-sponsored forum (WSB coverage here) across the street at Fauntleroy Church (WSB sponsor); with many 34th DDs involved in that group, they urged members to attend that event to get a look at the KCE candidates, but as for everything else – last night was the big night.
The marquee race: Seattle Mayor, which started the night; also featured – four Seattle City Council races, the Seattle City Attorney race, Seattle Port Commission positions, and Burien City Council. Read on for our marathon roundup of highlights (focusing on the city races) – including links to the 34th DD’s own coverage, as well as photo galleries, and a link to what we sent out via Twitter during the event:Read More
This is the epicenter of Seattle politics tonight – The Hall at Fauntleroy, where the 34th District Democrats are hosting their big candidates’ forum — all major races except King County Executive (that race was handled with a separate forum across the street at Fauntleroy Church [WSB sponsor] last week). The major candidates for mayor are all here – including incumbent Greg Nickels, Councilmember Jan Drago, Michael McGinn, Joe Mallahan, James Donaldson, Norman Sigler. If there are any fireworks during the meeting, we’ll add them here – otherwise look for the detailed report later (we’ll also be tweeting from time to time at @wsblive rather than our regular Twitter account). The first few minutes focused on the mayoral race, with yes/no questions – notably, “Do you support parking meters in The Junction?” Nickels no, Drago yes. ADDED 8:05 PM: The mayoral section of the forum is over, no fireworks. Questions included support for labor, philosophy on transportation and helping the homeless. “Nickelsville” only came up when Mallahan alluded to it but said he would only call it a “tent city” because anything else “wouldn’t be fair.”
Highlights from the WSB Events calendar:
LANDMARK COURT FIGHT: This morning in the Court of Appeals, 1st Division, both sides in the Satterlee House court fight get 10 minutes each for oral arguments in the two-year fight over proposed homebuilding on the landmark Beach Drive home’s lawn.
TUNNEL TALK: 6-8 pm tonight at Madison Middle School, it’s your next chance to comment on the future of the Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct corridor. Specifically, the city, state and federal governments want to hear what you think should be included in the “environmental” studies before the deep-bore tunnel can be built – but that doesn’t just mean ecological impacts. The open-house format meeting also will include displays of the latest information on the project and people who can answer whatever question you have about what’s on the drawing board and how it’ll affect the way you get around.
CANDIDATES’ FORUM: 7 pm tonight at The Hall at Fauntleroy, West Seattle’s biggest political group, the 34th District Democrats, will host candidates for every major job except County Executive (since they faced off last week across the street). It’s a prelude to their endorsement vote at next month’s meeting, but it’s your best chance this summer to get a look at the candidates in the crowded races that will be narrowed down to two in August.
(added 10:56 am) HIGHLAND PARK IMPROVEMENT CLUB: HPIC meets tonight at its HQ, with potluck/social hour at 6:30 pm, meeting including installation of new officers at 7 pm.
June 25, the Seattle City Council‘s coming to The Hall at Fauntleroy for a Town Hall meeting – focused on youth violence, public schools and tree protection. Thanks to Ron Angeles for sharing the announcement (which also includes word of similar meetings elsewhere in the city) – read on for details:Read More
Is another showdown ahead at the “Nickelsville” homeless-camp site on the eastern edge of West Seattle (2nd SW and Highland Park Way, as reported here Saturday morning)? We happened to get a photo of the “trespass notice” earlier today (above) and had been checking into its implications – now we’ve received an update from Nickelsville spokesperson Revel Nt:
TODAY Washington State Department of Transportation posted an undated trespass notice at the Nickelsville encampment.
Governor Gregoire’s Senior Adviser Ron Judd visited Nickelsville and talked with campers.
Wa State Attorney General Rob McKenna said state law does not allow temporary agreements regarding state land.
At this time, Governor Gregoire hasn’t decided what is possible or not yet regarding their stay on that site.
Ron Judd is coordinating a meeting between the Mayor’s Office, Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis and Nickelsville. We don’t know whether Mayor Nickels will meet with them directly.
Nickelsville asks that everyone please contact Governor Gregoire at (360)902-4111 or e-mail: govcommoffice@gov.wa.gov, and ask the Governor for negotiations for their stay.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The word heard at Monday night’s King County Executive candidates’ forum at Fauntleroy Church (WSB sponsor) more often than you would expect to hear at a meeting of rivals for a big, open job: Agree.
As in:
“I agree with Dow.”
“I agree with Fred.”
“I agree with Larry.”
“I agree with Ross.”
Of course, consider the fact that all four are Democrats, though they can’t run under that label since King County Executive is a nonpartisan job, made so by the voters last year; also, all four are current or former state legislators. The one major candidate who doesn’t fall under either of those umbrellas, former TV anchor Susan Hutchison, didn’t even respond to repeated invitations to participate tonight, according to organizers from InSPIRe (Seattle Progressives Inspiring Reform), which presented the forum.
The fact three of the candidates even showed up is proof nobody’s writing off West Seattle just because this area’s largest political group, the 34th District Democrats, has already taken a vote supporting hometown guy Constantine. But just because you’re speaking in West Seattle, doesn’t mean you’ll only be read about and heard about in WS, so off we go with coverage of what was and wasn’t said — read on:Read More
Long version later, short version now: Big crowd tonight at the Fauntleroy Church (WSB sponsor) Fellowship Hall as the West Seattle-rooted progressive political group InSPIRe presented the peninsula’s biggest candidates’ forum so far this primary season. Four of the five major King County Executive candidates participated: From left in the top photo, that’s Rep. Ross Hunter, King County Council Chair Dow Constantine, County Councilmember Larry Phillips, State Sen. Fred Jarrett. Hunter and Jarrett both live on the Eastside; Phillips is from Magnolia; and Constantine, of course, is a West Seattleite. (Susan Hutchison was invited but, the group says, did not even respond to repeated invitations.) No clashes, no fireworks, little disagreement, aside from one brief burst of “yes/no” questioning, when the question was “Should King County be in the ferry business?” — the two county councilmembers — who are also former state legislators — answered “yes,” Jarrett and Hunter said “no.” We “tweeted” highlights while taking notes – you can read those raw summaries at our @wsblive Twitter page – and stay tuned for the full story in a bit.
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar, for today/tonight:
VYING FOR VOTES: This just might be one of the biggest candidates’ forums of the primary season in West Seattle: Four of the major King County Executive candidates declared so far — Dow Constantine, Ross Hunter, Fred Jarrett, Larry Phillips — will be at Fauntleroy Church (WSB sponsor) at 7 pm tonight in a forum presented by InSPIRe, all welcome. Audience Q/A for the candidates is part of the plan, and you can even submit a question online right now (via this page).
PICK A PLAYGROUND (DESIGN): 7:30 tonight at Delridge Community Center, come share your thoughts about the three proposed designs for the new DCC playground to be “built in a day” next month — see all three designs here — so the eventual choice will truly be the community’s choice.
BINGO’S BACK: The popular Monday night bingo games at Alki UCC resume tonight after a Memorial Day hiatus. Doors open 5:30 pm, games start at 6:30.
FOOD DRIVE: All Bartell Drugs locations have a food drive this month, starting today – they’ll be collecting nonperishable food items at their stores. Read more here.
TAE KWON DO: The Hiawatha (Community Center) Tae Kwon Do Club is inviting new members (18 and up) to its classes, Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays – find out more at (206) 684-7441.
Mayor Greg Nickels makes his re-election campaign official Monday. During our interview with him at Admiral Starbucks on Saturday morning, we asked some of the questions we solicited from WSBers, starting with the one you see answered in the top clip: Why should he get a third term? Meantime, if you’re just catching up after the weekend – we’ve already published three excerpts:
First: The park-trash-can phase out
Second: Getting hassled on Alki – can police do anything about it?
Third: (published on White Center Now) Will Seattle annex White Center (assuming the rest of North Highline goes with Burien)?
We had 25 minutes to talk with him, a blink of an eye in political interview time, but we squeezed in as many questions as we could, most of them from those offered by WSBers after we asked on Friday for suggestions. The very first one posted here on WSB also speaks to his campaign overall: Lillian suggested he and other politicians have a problem with inauthenticity, and asked how he would get people to believe in him and what he wants to do – in his answer, you will hear him acknowledge that he doesn’t always come off authentically and warmly in the media:
We’ve still got several answers to roll out, and we’re not going to jam them all into this third report, but we did ask about one West Seattle sore spot, the “Whole Foods hole” – can the city do anything to try to stop this sort of “big dig, followed by big stall” situation from happening? Go forward to see/hear his answer:Read More
We’re continuing to roll out chunks of our Saturday morning interview with Mayor Nickels, who’s doing the media rounds as he prepares to officially file his re-election campaign papers this Monday. To recap: We had about 25 minutes with him at Admiral Starbucks (they chose the spot, we chose the outdoor table); we asked WSBers (also via Facebook and Twitter) for question suggestions, and got MANY more than we could ask in that short time. The clip above is his answer to a question we asked as a followup to the recent Alki Community Council meeting following the May 1st Alki shooting – some in attendance (and, later, in WSB comments) voiced more concern about getting harassed at the beach, than about the threat of violent crime. Police in attendance noted there’s no law against, for example, standing around and saying something “vile.” So is there anything that can be done? we asked the mayor; reply above. Yet more from the interview to come (and we will be adding soundbite transcripts shortly to this story, and our 1st one – about the park trash-can issue – see that here). P.S. Ken, whose post-ACC comment we linked above, is the person who started the Alki Neighborhood Watch Facebook group – if you haven’t joined yet and you’re interested, find it here.
Going to do anything about the “fewer trash cans in parks” policy that the Parks Department is pursuing? That’s the first WSBer-suggested question we asked Mayor Nickels this morning, and the answer is in the :45 video clip above. Backstory: As noted here last night, we were offered a half-hour to interview Mayor Nickels, as he prepares to officially kick off his campaign for a third term by filing paperwork this Monday. This morning, we got about 25 minutes with him at Admiral Starbucks (they chose the location); he appeared with his wife Sharon Nickels and their dog Edgar – saying they walk there every morning – as well as the folks who helped arrange the interview, including campaign spokesperson Sandeep Kaushik. We sat outdoors on the east side of the coffee shop, and we asked some of the many questions WSBers kindly sent in response to our request for suggested questions – many more than we could squeeze in, and we hope to get a chance to ask more later in the campaign. Meantime, we’ll share more from this interview later – just wanted to get out the park/trash answer, for starters.
We get half an hour to interview Mayor Nickels tomorrow morning. We’ve got questions galore, of course. But it wouldn’t be a truly two-way news service if we didn’t ask you what YOU would ask him. (And if you don’t want to post it in a comment, editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!)
In the hat, it’s West Seattle writer and former “Rosie the Riveter” Georgie Bright Kunkel, who spoke briefly at Thursday’s West Seattle Democratic Women luncheon as the group paid tribute to her husband Norman Kunkel, who died earlier this year (as noted here). (Georgie revealed she’s doing open-mike comedy at Comedy Underground on June 8th, by the way.) The group also presented a check to an organization for which Mr. Kunkel did a lot of work, the Sightline Institute (whose Alan Durning is shown above with Georgie) in his honor. The centerpiece of the luncheon at the West Seattle Golf Course clubhouse, however, was a candidates’ forum – one of several in West Seattle in the coming weeks. The field won’t be set till after the filing deadline a week from today, but three candidates each for two City Council seats – the open Position 4 (which Jan Drago is leaving to run for mayor) and Position 6 (with candidates including incumbent Nick Licata) spoke to the group – read on for video highlights and a few other notes:Read More
By Jonathan Stumpf
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
In advance of this Saturday’s Seattle march and rally for health-care reform, members of the Health Care for All – Washington (HCFA-WA) organization presented a community screening of the PBS documentary “Sick Around the World” Wednesday night at Fauntleroy Church (WSB sponsor).
The hour-long Frontline documentary, hosted by former Washington Post and NPR correspondent T.R. Reid, examines the successes and problems of health care systems in five countries, looking for alternatives to what many see as a failing health-care system in America.
Twenty West Seattle residents attended the event. The discussion afterward hosted by HCFA-WA board member Chuck Rogers and committee chairs Paul and Mary Margaret Pruitt (photo above) stirred up myriad issues and concerns among attendees, ranging from emergency rooms serving as clinics for the uninsured to some residents being disgusted with insurance company’s control over America’s health-care system.
POLITICS: Before summer revs to fever pitch, time to keep examining your options in this year’s crowded elections. Next chance: 11:30 am today, West Seattle Democratic Women‘s monthly luncheon, West Seattle Golf Course, with a candidates’ forum on the program. RSVP for lunch by 10 am – contact info and more details here.
EDUCATION: College Night tonight at West Seattle’s higher-education institution, South Seattle Community College. Find out more about what SSCC has to offer, 5-7:30 pm in Brockey Center; more details here.
ENTERTAINMENT: Semi-finals of Alki Idol, Bamboo Bar and Grill, 9:30 pm.
CRIME-FIGHTING: South Delridge/White Center Community Safety Coalition meets 6 pm, St. James Place, 9421 18th SW (map).
ONE MORE CRIME-FIGHTING NOTE: If you’re in the Alki area, Ken Allen has set up a Facebook group to convene those concerned about crime. Go here to join “Alki Neighborhood Watch.”
More of today and tonight’s events — and tomorrow, and the days, weeks and months into the future – on the WSB Events calendar.
Saying not only – as you can hear in that clip — “I’m ready,” but also that she wants to be mayor of “all of Seattle,” with shoutouts including one for West Seattle (and South Park, which had an excited supporter shouting back from the sidelines), Councilmember Jan Drago has officially kicked off her not-exactly-a-surprise run for mayor. We were at the announcement outside the Seattle Art Museum earlier this afternoon; two of her fellow councilmembers were there to show their support — Council President Richard Conlin and Councilmember Bruce Harrell – while Harrell joined the group flanking Drago at the podium, Conlin stayed on the sidelines (he’s in the white shirt at right, in this next photo):
We saw Councilmember Sally Clark shortly afterward at the Endangered Historic Properties announcement event and asked her if she’s endorsed a mayoral candidate yet — her quote, “I’m hangin’ back for a bit,” at least until the June 5th filing deadline passes. The latest list of candidates who HAVE announced so far is on this frequently updated city webpage. Drago and her husband live in Pioneer Square; here’s her official campaign biography. ADDED 3:17 PM: She took a few questions after the formal announcement – the setting was noisy but here you can hear her field a couple from tv reporter Chris Daniels, regarding the snow response and how she differs from the incumbent:
City Councilmember Jan Drago is planning to officially announce her run for mayor outside the Seattle Art Museum this afternoon. But it’s already “official” online. First, independent journalist Johnathon Fitzpatrick discovered over the weekend that the Twitter account @jandrago4mayor was set up. Then, the mostly-politics website PubliCola found Drago announcing her impending announcement on Facebook. And this morning on Twitter, Lee Therriault (@leetherriault) has just pointed out that Councilmember Drago’s mayor-campaign website is fully operational now too (see it here), fronted by what may be the speech she gives this afternoon (in which, among other things, she says she’s running to be the Mayor of West Seattle, and other neighborhoods).
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