Category Archives: Government

Government

Primary Election, August 17th, 2010

It’s that time already.  Your ballot and voters pamphlet is in the mail today (July 28) for the August 17th primary election in Washington State.  We’ll be voting for one of Washington State’s US Senate seats, US Congressional Representative for District 7, State Senator for District 36, and State Representatives 1 and 2 for District 36.  Also on the ballot will be the County Prosecuting Attorney, State Supreme Court Justice Positions 1, 5, and 6, and the Court of Appeals, District 1, Judge Positions 1 and 2.

Do take the time to study the candidates and make your voice heard in your government. This is once again an all mail ballot. All ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday, August 17th at midnight.

You can track the progress of your ballot, or view your voter guide at King County Elections.

Government, Sustainability, Transportation

Walk Bike Ride

WBR Logo

Walk Bike Ride is a Seattle initiative to:

  • Create an equitable transportation system for all by providing more affordable travel choices
  • Focus on the places where people want to be and add qualities that make them want to stay
  • Prioritize right-of-way space to emphasize walking, biking and riding

The initiative emphasizes the transportation choices we make each day and encourages us to walk, bike, take public transit more often to: 1) save money; 2) improve our health; 3) improve the health of our communities.

The city wants your input and has scheduled a series of meetings:

Continue reading Walk Bike Ride →

Government, Parks & Greenspace

Campaign to Save Ballard and Loyal Heights Community Centers

We received an appeal from Mindy Terence of the Loyal Heights Block Watch. The appeal concerns the impending possible closure of one of the two Ballard Community Centers due to the looming Seattle Parks and Recreation budget crisis.  Mindy has created an online petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/bcclhcc/petition.html Please read, and if you agree, consider signing the petition. More extensive coverage of the budget crisis and links to other articles is available on the Crown Hill Neighbors website at http://crownhillneighbors.org/wp/2010/04/seattle-parks-recreation-budget-crisis/

Government, Parks & Greenspace

Seattle Parks & Recreation Budget Crisis

Seattle Parks and Recreation Dept is facing a budget crisis. There is a $2.5 million shortfall this year, and this may force a closure of one or both of Ballard’s Neighborhood Community Centers (Loyal Heights Community Center at 2101 NW 77th, or Ballard Community Center at 6020 28th Ave NW).

In part this may be due to the opportunities for new and improved parks afforded by the two Parks Levy funds approved by voters. Establishing new parks adds to the base of parks the department must maintain, but adds no funds to maintain them once built.  The current city budget situation aggravates the situation by cutting the budget to service and maintain all parks city-wide.

The City is holding budget hearings to solicit public input on the whole city budget:

2011 Budget Public Hearings
Wednesday, April 28, 2010  AND  Tuesday May 4, 2010:

Wednesday, April 28 at New Holly Gathering Hall
7504 32 Ave South, Seattle, 98108
5  PM Sign-in
5:30 PM Public Hearing

Tuesday, May 4, 2010 North Seattle Community College Cafeteria
9600 College Way North, Seattle, 98103
5 PM Sign-in
5:30 PM Public Hearing

In Tim Gallagher’s resignation letter as the Director of Parks and Recreation,  he states:

Voter approval of several recent levys shows  the tremendous public support for parks and recreation, unfortunately operation and maintenance resources have not been provided to the department to match the public’s request.  The result is a park and recreation system that is now unsustainable and in jeopardy of collapse.

NPR’s Gary Davis interviewed Tim Gallagher this morning (April 28) and you can hear or read a transcript of  the interview here.

More information on the community centers is available in the MyBallard article, and the King 5 article The Seattle Times article covers Gallagher’s resignation and the budget crisis.

Continue reading Seattle Parks & Recreation Budget Crisis →

Government

McGinn Town Hall Meeting Wrap-Up

A very friendly crowd of approximately 300 people showed up for Mayor-elect Mike McGinn’s transition team town hall meeting at the Northgate Community Center on November 30th. This meeting was one of a series of meetings held, one each in the North, Central and South parts of the city. He assumes the responsibilties on January 1st with an official ceremony taking place on Monday, January 4th.

Continue reading McGinn Town Hall Meeting Wrap-Up →