West Seattle, Washington
29 Friday
(1st two photos courtesy Machel Spence)
One last round of scenes from weekend fundraisers – two on behalf of local schools. Above, Becca Cressell from the self-contained autism program at Pathfinder K-8 received the annual “Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way” award (she’s shown with principal David Dockendorf) during the school’s “Pathfunder” auction event Saturday night at South Seattle Community College. The school website says the award is given each year to “a teacher, staff member or adult volunteer in the Pathfinder K-8 community who does an outstanding job of helping our children learn and develop … through dedication, innovative thinking, creativity and honoring the differences, strengths and uniqueness of each child.” (The award was created in honor of a former Pathfinder student who was helped there to work through the challenges of Asperger Syndrome.) Auction items included adventures and art:
(In the right background is a creation donated by Machel, who is a Pathfinder parent; you can take a closer look here.) We’re checking on fundraiser results. (UPDATE: Auction chair Sharon tells WSB, “We had a sold-out event, raising over $50,000. Over 100 people volunteered in one form or another. We more than met our goal of raising money for our Fund-A-Need – buying more books for our classroom libraries. It was a great night!”)
Friday night, Gatewood Elementary gathered for “Bids for Kids” at The Hall at Fauntleroy – with a superheroes theme:
(Photo courtesy Gail Ann Photography)
From left in the photo, it’s PTA vice president Nicole “Gator Girl” Sipila, principal Rhonda Claytor, and PTA president Mary Howland. Photographer Gail Ann quotes the principal as saying, “Our fundamental beliefs at Gatewood are that class size should be as small as possible, that children should have a variety of learning experience…this event is a crucial part of providing the funding to make these ideas continue to be an effective learning tool and a reality at Gatewood.” (You can see Gail Ann’s gallery from the gala by going here.) Auction chair Anita Schumacher tells WSB that the auction “grossed just over $60,000. The night was a blast with a lot of costumes to liven up the night.” Still ways to contribute – she’ll be cataloguing the few remaining auction items still up for grabs – keep an eye on the auction website for that. (And if you have a school event coming up, please make sure we know about it! Thanks!)
Just got word that the “Street Scramble” season is opening again this year with the Alki Street Scramble – this Saturday (March 19). It’s a race to see how many of 30 designated locations on a map you can visit on bike or on foot during a certain time period. Registration starts at 8:30 am Saturday (62nd and Alki), maps are handed out at 9:30 am, you have half an hour to plot and then – you’re off! More information here; photos from last year are on Facebook.
2 quick food notes:
PI(E) DAY: It’s the unofficial National Pie Day, what with it being 3.14 and all that. The photo above is courtesy WSB/White Center Now contributor Deanie Schwarz, who says 3.14 Bakery in White Center has $1 “pie pops” today, cherry, marionberry and peach. West Seattle’s Shoofly Pie Company reported via Twitter that it’s offering slices of fruit and shoofly pie for $3.14 all day.
LUMPIA WORLD: The newest food truck to regularly visit West Seattle has a change starting today: Instead of lunch, Lumpia World is serving dinner on Mondays starting tonight, 5-8 pm in the California SW Rite-Aid parking lot. (They plan to continue with lunch on Saturdays.)
Over the weekend, we reported on the neighborhood discussion sparked by reports that West Seattle’s third medical-marijuana dispensary might be on its way to a space in the 5200 block of Delridge Way SW. Though police tell WSB that the property owner now says the dispensary probably is not happening after all, the issue remains, since dispensaries are operating in a gray area of the law. We noted in our weekend report that state legislation to change that, SB 5073, has a public hearing in Olympia today; now we’ve received a letter from Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes‘ office, also signed by Mayor McGinn and the entire City Council, voicing support for the bill, because they believe a “coherent, consistent, and rational regulatory system’ for dispensaries is needed. Here’s the letter in its entirety, including amendments they are proposing, including restoring language that would allow for-profit dispensaries as well as nonprofit.
(Video/photos by Patrick Sand for WSB; clip substituted at 9:26 am for earlier photos)
8:10 AM: On our way to a fire in single-family residence call in the 9600 block of 48th SW (map).
8:19 AM: There are flames, according to the scanner, and part of the building is in danger of collapse, so firefighters are being kept away from that side. Our crew is just arriving – there’s a significant amount of smoke, even from a distance. Flames are still visible. We’re being told by neighbors that the house is almost a century old.
8:28 AM: Just added photos. Our crew is just feet from the house but the smoke is so thick, you can’t see the flames – it’s still burning – via cameraphone. No report of any injuries but too soon to tell for sure.
8:41 AM: Firefighters still actively fighting – some flames visible on 1st floor (it’s a 2-story house). Looks like a Seattle Fire Department public-information officer has arrived on scene, which means we should have more specifics soon from the fire crews. Meantime, scanner traffic (8:45 am) indicates that an “occupant” from the house is “at a neighbor’s house.”
(OUR AS-IT-HAPPENED COVERAGE CONTINUES POST-JUMP)Read More
(Photo by Danny McMillin, from the West Seattle Blog group pool on Flickr)
As we do most mornings, we’re taking a look at some highlights of the day/night ahead, from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar. First, two neighborhood meetings, including one with a timely agenda:
NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 6:30 pm, Delridge Library (Delridge/Brandon). As announced by chair Karrie Kohlhaas, this one’s focused on emergency preparedness:
Imagine not being prepared when an earthquake, tsunami, mudslides, terrorist attack, or other disaster situation strikes, cutting you off from the rest of Seattle, from provisions, from electricity and other city services like waste management, police, fire dept…
We want Delridge to be prepared and in good shape if disaster comes our way, so we found the best people to come talk with us:
Debbie Goetz, City of Seattle Emergency Preparedness Training Specialist
Cindi Barker, West Seattle Hubs Coordinator and WS neighbor
Ben Canfield, neighbor volunteer creating a Delridge Disaster Preparedness Plan* Learn how you will know what’s going on if you can’t use your phone or computer
* Find out what supplies you should have on hand at all times
* Meet an amazing neighbor who organized a communication plan for West Seattle
* Ask questions of city and local organizers so you can empower your family
* Find out how you can get more involved in shaping a plan for Delridge
* Leave with information that could save your life or a neighbor’s life …Looking forward to meeting many of you for the first time. Meetings are upbeat and I try to keep them moving. We must be done by 7:45 because the library closes, so no worries that this is going to take your whole night! Hope to see you there!
PIGEON POINT NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: Northeast of NDNC, the PPNC meets tonight at 7 at Pathfinder K-8 (Cooper campus) School.
ARTSWEST ANNOUNCEMENT: What will West Seattle’s fulltime arts purveyor produce/present next season? The suspense ends tonight in a fun announcement event at the ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) theater in The Junction, 7:30 pm, free, everyone invited (and it’ll include a sneak peek at the current production “Distracted“).
SING IT!: Karaoke with Kelli at Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor), 9 pm
RAISE A GUIDE PUPPY: West Seattle See Dogs meets 6:30 pm, Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor) lobby at 2326 California Ave SW. Do you have love and time to share with a puppy? Call Ruth Oldham at 206-953-0268 for information on how you can raise a Guide Dog Puppy or just show up at our meeting! More info at www.guidedogs.com.
FREE WORKSHOP: “Building a Better Home” free workshop at Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) for those interested in custom homebuilding or remodeling, 6 pm, more info on Facebook invite page (but call to RSVP).
BINGO! Every Monday night, it’s Bingo at Alki UCC church – doors open at 5:30 pm, games start at 6:30 pm (read more here)
This month, West Seattle’s West Side Presbyterian Church is celebrating its centennial – 100 years in the community, though not at the same location for that entire time. From Mark O’Connell at WSPC:
On March 27, 2011, West Side Presbyterian will hold a “Generations of Faithfulness” Centennial Celebration at 9:30 am at 3601 California Avenue SW followed by a light lunch and fellowship. The Rev. Dr. Paul Smith (right), who has served at West Side since 1981, will preside over the service, which will include speakers and members of former staff families, musical selections from children and adult choirs and special ensembles, and video greetings from West Siders around the world. Members of the community, along with former church members and friends, are invited to join us in celebrating our 100th anniversary.
West Side Presbyterian Church was established in March 1911 near the Admiral Junction in West Seattle on 44th SW and Lander. It originated as a mission of Seattle’s First Presbyterian Church under the leadership of Dr. Mark Matthews, a dynamic and colorful community leader in Seattle’s early days. The church grew from 47 charter members to 583 members today. In 1948, the church dedicated its current building on the corner of California Avenue SW and Spokane Street. It has undergone remodels and expansions in the 1950s and 2000s. West Side is a stalwart member of the West Seattle community with many outreach activities and ministries.
After the 1949 earthquake when Lafayette School was damaged beyond usability for students, West Side was one of the locations where classes were held through the end of the year. West Side has sponsored Boy Scout Troop 282 for 63 years. In the 1950s, more than 1000 children attended West Side’s two-week Vacation Bible School, and notable guests have included sports editor Royal Brougham and Seahawks quarterback Sam Adkins. Ministries to lonely and shut-in members of the community have touched many people for more than 50 years, and West Side has served vital roles and support to the homeless and less fortunate in our neighborhoods, including Union Gospel Mission, City Team, and Family Promise. Our doors have been open to community members for meeting spaces, blood drives, special musical presentations and performances, and an annual garage sale that fills the church and raises significant funds for youth projects.
Through the years, West Side has sent out over 75 missionaries to countries around the world, even as we have taken in displaced families and refugees from wars and violent regimes ranging from the World War II refugees from Hungary and Austria, to those fleeing Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge. West Side’s membership is a special and unique melding of people who have lived and contributed to life in West Seattle for 50+ years, including teachers, business owners, service people, musicians and artists, and medical personnel, as well as newcomers to the community.
Further Information:
www.wspc.org
West Side Presbyterian Church on Facebook
Church office: 206.935.4477
E-mail: office@wspc.org or wspc.centennial@gmail.com
(Photo credits: Rev. Dr. Smith, courtesy of Carreen Smith; building, courtesy of Tom Hibben)
A weekend full of generosity in West Seattle – a wave of major fundraisers for schools and nonprofits, capped by the Nature Consortium’s annual brunch, which filled The Hall at Fauntleroy at noontime Sunday. The West Seattle-based organization’s work is threefold, as shown on this display board:
There’s the Youth Art Program, the Arts In Nature Festival every summer at Camp Long, and in the West Duwamish Greenbelt – the huge forest along West Seattle’s eastern edge – the work to restore it, to plant new evergreens and other natives where native conifers towered long ago. Nature Consortium executive director Nancy Whitlock talks about that work in the speech excerpt that starts our video-highlights clip (in which you’ll also see volunteers honored with “Golden Shovel Awards” and youth performers presenting music and dance):
And of course, there was the food: Brunch cuisine was provided by The Hall at Fauntleroy’s own resident catering company, Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering (WSB sponsor),
(WSB is proud to have been among the sponsors again this year.) If you weren’t at the brunch, you can still donate to help the Nature Consortium’s work – here’s how. (You can also join in their frequent work parties – like the volunteers honored with those golden shovels – check the calendar here – and note that the dates are set for this year’s Arts In Nature Festival, August 20-21.)
Police are still trying to sort out the incident that left a woman injured earlier tonight outside the Super 24 at Delridge/Findlay and blocked the southbound lanes for a while. The victim, in her late 20s, has been taken to Harborview Medical Center. Here’s what Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams says investigators know so far: A witness says the woman was involved in some kind of a disturbance at the store with a male she apparently didn’t know. He drove off and she chased after him, police were told, grabbing onto his vehicle and holding on for a short distance before losing that grip, falling, and apparently hitting her head on the ground, which left her unconscious for a while; police also believe she was intoxicated. Lt. Williams says the driver didn’t stop, but the witness wasn’t certain the driver even knew the woman had run after him and been holding onto the car. Police are still investigating.
Two Alaskan Way Viaduct notes tonight: First, the man who oversees the entire project – including the controversial tunnel plan – will be the next guest speaker for the Rotary Club of West Seattle; Ron Paananen is scheduled to speak at noon Tuesday at Salty’s on Alki. (Guests are welcome at the lunch meetings; call the club at 206-718-9401 for info, or e-mail with the form on this page.) Second, next weekend is the semiannual maintenance shutdown for The Viaduct – 6 am-6 pm each day, Saturday and Sunday, March 19-20.
If you live in Fauntleroy, Tuesday’s the big night to support your local neighborhood council, the Fauntleroy Community Association. During the monthly FCA board meeting this past week, final preparations were made for the annual membership meeting/membership drive event coming up at 6 pm Tuesday night at The Hall at Fauntleroy, described by FCA as “… sample food from six local eateries, learn about local issues and programs, chat with neighbors, and pay to start or renew FCA membership. Election of FCA officers and directors will happen toward the end of the evening.”
Also at their meeting, the FCA board also heard a presentation about The Whale Trail:
From left in our photo, that’s FCA president Bruce Butterfield, Evangeline Simmons and Donna Sandstrom from The Whale Trail, and FCA’s Kathleen Dellplain. Donna, who lives in West Seattle, talked about tracing her whale advocacy back 20 years, with one highlight being the drive to save Springer the orphan orca. She brought examples of signs similar to the ones that are going up soon in West Seattle as part of The Whale Trail – thanks to a City of Seattle grant – where you can watch for marine mammals:
The West Seattle signs will be at Alki Bathhouse, Charles Richey Sr. Viewpoint, Me Kwa Mooks, and Point Williams in Lincoln Park (site of Colman Pool). Donna says the signs include bar codes that you can “read” with smartphones, to go directly to The Whale Trail’s website. (The Whale Trail recently sponsored the Duwamish Longhouse presentation about orca research involving special dogs – you can see our coverage here.)
The Fauntleroy Community Association board meets the second Tuesday of each month, 7 pm, at the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse – but again, the annual membership meeting/drive is NEXT Tuesday [March 15], 6 pm, at The Hall at Fauntleroy inside the old schoolhouse.
(WSCO’s Toni Reineke and Rob Duisberg – photos by Patrick Sand for WSB)
What a season for the West Seattle Community Orchestras. The name alone is a big development – the organization was founded as, and known for a long time as, Westside Symphonette, but to recognize what it’s become, multiple intergenerational groups, it’s now known as West Seattle Community Orchestras. The youth programs are a particular point of pride – so to ensure funding to make sure all kids can play, WSCO organized its first-ever fundraising gala. And that historic event last night at Kenyon Hall was a wall-to-wall success, with more than 100 people filling the hall for buffet dinner, drinks, music and dancing:
Dozens of performers of all ages and talents were part of the program. We recorded video of some of them – here are five minutes of highlights, starting with Kenyon Hall maestro Lou Magor playing the hall’s centerpiece, “The Mighty Wurlitzer” and featuring excerpts from five other performances (we wish we had recorded them all!):
The evening, emceed by Adam DeBruler, also included a wide array of silent-auction items, including many donated by other West Seattle (and environs) arts organizations in support of WSCO. We checked with WSCO founder Toni Reineke to see if they have any totals; she says their preliminary tallying indicates the event definitely came out “in the black,” and she adds, “We thank everyone who attended and those who contributed in so many ways — food, labor, energy, smiles, music—and their lusty singing! A special thanks, of course, to Lou Magor!” As she announced last night, the next WSCO performances are May 3 and 10 – more on those soon; meantime, they practice at Chief Sealth International High School every Tuesday night, and are always open to new musicians – check www.wscorchestras.org for contact and schedule info.
Families grow and change no matter how much you wish sometimes things would just stand still for a bit – but your house, maybe that nice little bungalow you bought when there were just two of you (or just you!), isn’t going to adapt unless you take action. West Seattle NestFest next Saturday aims to help. It’s a free workshop presented by West Seattle Family Zone, with participants including WSB sponsors Ventana Construction and WEdesign. As Anne Higuera from Ventana puts it, “Often, the arrival of a new family member is the impetus for starting a remodeling project. And more often than not, there’s a bit of urgency involved (i.e.– there’s a baby on the way and we want to finish the project before the baby arrives). Whether it’s an addition onto the house, converting a basement, or creating new space in or above a garage, there’s a lot to keep in mind as you plan. We’ll be talking specifically about how to plan for remodels that involve kids and kids’ spaces, and how to make sure those spaces are functional for the long term, as the kids grow up.” NestFest is next Saturday morning, 10 am, at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon); though it’s free, registration is required – here’s how to sign up.
P.S. The next edition of Ventana’s own free remodeling/custom-building workshop is tomorrow night (Monday 3/14), 6 pm – call 206-932-3009 to RSVP for that.
Our coverage of Saturday’s Town Hall in West Seattle, featuring our area’s three state legislators, includes Rep. Eileen Cody‘s observation that she is somewhat surprised our state’s budget crisis isn’t drawing more demonstrations of concern. Are protests passé? Not necessarily – in fact, one small demonstration had happened in West Seattle hours earlier, in support of another hot issue – and the demonstrators (photo above) were middle schoolers. The story, with video including the young protesters’ explanations, after the jump:Read More
(Squirrel photographed in Lincoln Park by Machel Spence)
To assist you in feeling bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, despite the hour of sleep lost to Daylight Saving Time’s arrival, we start with a photo of a critter who actually is (or was at the time of the photo) bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Now on to the highlights:
TRAFFIC NOTE: If you are headed north of downtown, note that a section of Highway 99 north of The Viaduct/Tunnel is closed until about 11 am for the St. Patrick’s Day Dash.
NATURE CONSORTIUM BRUNCH: The weekend full of fun fundraisers continues with the West Seattle-based Nature Consortium‘s annual fundraising brunch, noon at The Hall at Fauntleroy.
GIRL SCOUT COOKIE FINALE: Last day of cookie sales at local stores – details here (including link to find the sale nearest you)
AWARD-WINNING FARMERS’ MARKET: As reported here last week, the West Seattle Farmers’ Market is the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s Nonprofit of the Year – and you can enjoy it today, 10 am-2 pm, in The Junction (44th/Alaska).
‘DISTRACTED’ MATINEE: At 3 pm, you can catch an afternoon performance of “Distracted” at ArtsWest in The Junction – full details here (P.S. Everyone’s invited to see ArtsWest announce its next season lineup, tomorrow night at 7:30 pm.)
DONATION-DRIVE REMINDER: Today’s a great day to shop for something to give to the donation drive for foster kids reported here last Thursday, organized by West Seattle High School senior Kellen Gearon – details and dropoff sites here.
More on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar!
(WSB photo from March 2010 Fairmount Ravine cleanup)
With an announcement we received tonight, there are now three notable cleanup events scheduled for next Saturday. The newest one happens just once a year, in the Fairmount Ravine, where neighbors already have noted lots of trash as well as spray cans from graffiti vandals:
Fairmount Ravine Preservation Group will sponsor the 19th Annual Spring Cleanup and Reforestation of Fairmount Ravine, Saturday March 19th. Gather at 8:30 for delicious Tully’s coffee and hot cocoa along with donuts. Cleanup is usually completed within two hours. Meet your friends and neighbors at the top of the ravine (Forest St. and Fairmount Ave., just east of Hiawatha Park). Beware that currently there is utility construction at this intersection. You can walk through the intersection but need to park nearby. Wear boots and gloves. Bring a pruning saw if interested in removing ivy from trees.
We extend a special invitation to those who use the ravine to access the waterfront; please donate an hour of your time to keep this greenbelt healthy and pristine. More info – call John at 932-5151.
(The aforementioned intersection is the one where a sinkhole revealed a big pipe problem. Underground work has wrapped up, tipster Craig tells us, but there’s still road repair ahead.)
The other two cleanups next Saturday both have been announced here already – Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s Adopt-A-Street quarterly cleanup, meeting at 9 am Saturday (3/19) at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor), and the first effort of what was dubbed “Clean Up Your Act Seattle” when we reported it here six weeks ago, but has since changed to “Keep Seattle Beautiful” – they’re focusing first on South Seattle, meeting at 8111 First Avenue South (map), between West Seattle and South Park, 10 am next Saturday (here’s the Facebook event page).
(Photo courtesy West Seattle Family YMCA)
Got a 3- to 10-year-old who would like to play T-ball or baseball? Registration is open now for the West Seattle Famliy YMCA (WSB sponsor) programs, all co-ed and designed to teach the basic skills – batting, catching, and throwing – while promising “equal chances (for all children) to bat, run bases, and play in the field.” There’s one practice during the week and one game (on Saturdays, for all but the 3-year-olds); practices start the week of April 25, and the season runs May 7-June 25. You can register in person at the Triangle or Fauntleroy locations of the Y – or online, by going here. (P.S. The Y also needs volunteer coaches. If you are interested, call sports director Matt Schlede at 206-937-1000 or e-mail him at mschlede@seattleymca.org)
Thanks to Gatewood-residing photographer and pilot Long B. Nguyen for sharing that photo of West Seattle taken as wind buffeted our peninsula (and elsewhere) the other night – click the photo to see a larger version. (Nothing extraordinary in the forecast for the next several days, by the way – mostly rain.)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
If you’ve seen the agenda for next week’s Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting, you might have noticed this item:
Discussion on Medical Marijuana Dispensary @ 5214 Delridge Way
There isn’t one there now, but word circulated in the neighborhood this past week that one was planned for that address, which has been undergoing renovations for months. It’s the same spot that evokes unpleasant memories for longtime community members, since it was long home to Delridge Vacuum and TV, whose license was revoked by the city two years ago after ongoing controversy about everything from the nature of the business to its street-front appearance, plus a criminal investigation.
After hearing about the reported dispensary plan, we tried to confirm it. We attempted to contact the property’s owner, including a visit to the site, but were told he was unreachable till next week; a broker representing at least one space at the address told WSB the space she represented hadn’t been rented yet. A check of the DPD records for the address only mentions a salon, office and live-work unit.
Then we checked today with Southwest Precinct leadership, who say they have word the plan may have changed.
Two and a half years ago, City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen – then the chair of the council’s Parks Committee – stood next to then-dusty Delridge Playfield, holding a sign campaigning for the Parks and Green Spaces Levy that has now paid for the field’s all-new turf. (Here’s the story we published that day.) Less than an hour ago, he joined acting Parks Superintendent Christopher Williams in dedicating the $3 million-plus levy-funded project – Williams threw out a ceremonial disc, while Rasmussen tossed out a ceremonial ball. The field has been happily welcomed by local athletic organizations involved with sports including disc, softball, baseball, lacrosse, and of course, soccer:
That’s West Seattle Soccer Club president Bill Fry (center) with Jack Chilcott and dad Howard Chilcott – WSSC co-sponsored today’s dedication celebration along with DiscNW. (added) Local organizations were there with info tables – North Delridge Neighborhood Council (whose next meeting is at 6:30 Monday night in the Delridge Library) and Southwest Youth and Family Services, whose headquarters is next to the field:
Student musicians from the acclaimed Chief Sealth International High School drum line played (video to come), but of course the star of the show was the field itself:
Before the year’s out, another dedication is likely nearby – groundbreaking is expected later this month for Delridge Skatepark, just a block north.
ADDED SATURDAY NIGHT: Click ahead for two video clips from the Saturday dedication:Read More
Robin Lindsey from Seal Sitters says they’ve been enjoying a rare sighting — an elephant seal on a private beach in West Seattle. It’s actually her second visit in the past month or so, Robin explains, while sharing the photo above:
Abby was molting on this same stretch of beach in early February for several days, but finally returned to the water after a huge windstorm one night. Seal Sitters received a call yesterday afternoon from a waterfront homeowner that the huge seal (estimated to be around 350-400 lbs) was on her beach. We rarely see elephant seals around West Seattle, but there has been some breeding activity at Race Rocks off Victoria, BC, over the past number of years. There have been occasional elephant seal pups molting onshore near Port Gamble and Port Townsend. Since we are seeing them more often.
You can see video of Abby on the Seal Sitters “blubberblog” – just go here.
From left, State Reps. Eileen Cody and Joe Fitzgibbon and State Sen. Sharon Nelson are leading a “Town Hall” meeting at High Point Community Center right now. Rep. Fitzgibbon opened by saying “The biggest challenge in Olympia right now is the budget,” and Rep. Cody warned, “Everyone’s going to feel the pain.” We’ll make notes here as this goes; you have time to get here if you’d like to be part of it – 34th just north of Myrtle, till 11:30 am. More than 100 people are here.
In-progress updates, topic by topic:
BUDGET OUTLOOK/JOBS: The next revenue forecast from the state is expected next Thursday, and the legislators say it’s expected to get uglier. As Sen. Nelson put it, the average recession since the Great Depression has lasted 18 months; this one is 36 months old, she said, and we’re “still scraping bottom.” She says that of the 195,000 jobs lost in our state so far, barely a tenth have been recovered. She also noted that our state’s unemployment-insurance fund is still healthy, unlike some states. And later, while answering a question, she talked about meeting with people who are directly feeling “the pain we are causing” by having to cut, and she declared, “This budget will be immoral, no matter how we look at it.” Moments later, asking a question from the audience, an attendee named Anastasia said, “This whole budget-cutting thing is insane.”
IF YOU ARE UPSET ABOUT THE BUDGET TOO … Rep. Cody remarked toward the end of the event that she’s hopeful they’ll see more “enough is enough” rallies in Olympia because so far, in her view, “people don’t seem to be all that upset about the cuts.” This Thursday, there’s a rally about tax loopholes, Rep. Fitzgibbon noted.
TRANSPORTATION: Rep. Fitzgibbon noted that legislators opposed the governor’s proposal to create a regional district to handle state ferries: “They’re part of the state highway system.” He said major challenges will include helping local transportation agencies like Metro Transit find ways to find additional funding to avoid deep service cuts as traditional revenue sources run short. (11 am note – Interestingly, we are an hour into this event and there has not been a question about transportation yet … 11:30 update: STILL no transportation questions.)
EDUCATION: Sen. Nelson is vice chair of an education committee in the Senate. She talked about decisions that have to be made regarding early-learning programs, and also about higher-education funding – fielding a question about South Seattle Community College, she said there will be some cuts to community colleges, even though “We know they are the ones right now helping folks get back to work” (because of retraining programs). Rep. Fitzgibbon said that further tuition increases are “a dangerous road to go down” and could price more people out of college. The legislators were asked toward meeting’s end about “common core standards” for education; Rep. Cody says she supports it – “If we don’t adopt them and join together (with other states), the textbooks we buy are determined by California and Texas.” She acknowledges there are questions because of the math standards that are being proposed.
ENVIRONMENT: Sen. Nelson recapped the recent vote to crack down on the state’s one coal-burning energy plant, in Centralia, and also noted with regret that she had not been able to get enough votes to pass her proposal to get toxins out of children’s toys. She said she will keep trying.
HEALTH CARE: Rep. Cody, a nurse by trade, has long had an emphasis in that. She said they are working on funding to keep 60,000 more people from losing basic insurance that currently is provided through the state.
WORKPLACE SAFETY: Rep. Fitzgibbon mentioned a bill to make sure dangerous conditions in workplaces are fixed faster. Sen. Nelson discussed the “compromise” regarding workers’ compensation insurance – which results in relatively speedy settlements to get people off insurance – saying that in her opinion, it creates “a two-tiered system … where the poor get poorer” if they cannot hire a lawyer to get a better settlement in case of serious injury. She also says that there are Democrats siding with Republicans on even more-major changes that she says the Washington Business Association is pushing for.
INCOME TAX? Asked by one attendee if a temporary income tax could be implemented to help with the budget, while saying, not really, Sen. Nelson pointed out that the 34th District is one of only five out of 39th that voted in favor of 1098, the income-tax measure.
LEGISLATORS’ SALARIES, AND HAVE THEY FACED CUTS? Answering that question, Rep. Fitzgibbon said their salaries are set at $42,000 and it’s been frozen for a few years. Rep. Cody added that they have dealt with cuts in everything from their travel to printing/postage to staff budgets.
11:37 AM UPDATE: Sen. Nelson reiterated that it will make a difference if people attend the aforementioned rally this coming week – and that it’s important for people to contact them with questions and issues. (Though replies may take a while – Rep. Cody answered a written question earlier in the event by noting that her legislative assistant already has answered 1,800 e-mails this year and “a few hundred more” come in every day – “We’ll get to you, it just might take a while.”
7:01 AM: We’re on our way to a house fire in Gatewood, 4100 block of SW Southern (map). Per the scanner, initial crews are calling it a basement fire, and saying it’s under control. More to come.
7:14 AM UPDATE: Just added a photo. Per the scanner, the fire is tapped – firefighters are focusing on looking for spots of “extension,” where the fire might have moved from the basement, where they believe it started. Investigators have been summoned to help find out how it started. No report of any injuries.
7:22 AM UPDATE: Our crew at the scene just talked with firefighters. They confirm no injuries – the people who were home got out OK – the only big concern is a dog that might have been in the house at the time; they’re looking for the dog. Some of the fire units already have been released from the scene.
ADDED 8:05 AM: Photo of the actual house. Investigators are still en route.
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