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Dear Neighbors:
I have written in the past about the Council’s Mental Illness and Chemical Dependency Action Plan which I initiated last year. The Council recently received the final report on this plan at a packed, standing room only Town Hall in Shoreline. Read the Mental Illness & Drug Dependency Action Plan (pdf.) Over 400 people (!) attended, breaking all known attendance records for King County town halls.
I
invited my Council colleagues and a panel of experts to join me for this
special meeting to address the challenges facing King County in providing
better services for the mentally ill and chemically dependent. Crowd
Supports Mental Health Programs at Town Hall Meeting and Mental
Health Hearing by County Draws Hundreds.
My OpEd published earlier this year discusses these issues in more detail: 'The Jail as Mental Institution'. The State Legislature recently gave Washington State counties the authority to increase the sales tax by one tenth of a penny (or one cent on a ten dollar purchase) to fund programs specifically dealing with the mentally ill and chemically dependent. Within the past year, six counties implemented this tax.
I will keep you updated as we continue to make progress on this issue.
If you would like to receive periodic updates on this topic, please e-mail
me and reference “Mental Health Updates”.
Update -- Public Health Funding is Real!
Nearly
200,000 residents of King County lack health insurance. Last year, however,
there was a proposal to close two King County public health centers which
provide access to health care for the uninsured and underinsured. I helped
secure temporary funding to keep the clinics open through 2007.
I wrote to you recently about partnering with Executive Sims to identify
a $5 million reserve fund that will keep the clinics running through 2008
while we identify sustainable, long-term solutions to ensure access for
public health services. Last week, the Council unanimously approved legislation
appropriating these critical funds. This legislation makes real the promise
to fund the public health centers through 2008, and sends a signal that
public health is a priority for King County. Click here to read a Seattle
Times article about the funding.
In the Community: Return to my Alma Mater
I had the privilege of addressing the 2007 graduates of Blanchet High School at their graduation. As an ’83 Blanchet graduate, it was a pleasure to return to my alma mater.
Blanchet graduating classes typically present their graduation speaker with a token of their appreciation in the form of a check. My wife Colleen and I are donating that money to the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce “Dollars for Scholars” fund. Dollars for Scholars is a locally supported scholarship foundation that raises scholarship money to assist local students achieve their educational goals. Read more about Shoreline Dollars for Scholars.
Plan for Emergency Preparedness
When disaster strikes, citizens expect their government to be flexible and responsive. We listened to citizens impacted by the winter storm of 2006 and refined our emergency preparedness planning.
The plan calls for five separate reports. The Executive will submit these plans to the Council by October 1—before consideration of the 2008 King County budget.
This legislation will:
• Create a coordinated shelter plan;
• Update King County’s emergency communications plan;
• Create a traffic management plan and identify key intersections;
• Better integrate human service providers, non-profit organizations,
and businesses into emergency planning, and
• Identify King County residents who may need special assistance
during a crisis.
I look forward to working with my colleagues on the King County Council and Executive Sims to put this plan into action.
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| Bob and Colleen at the Bothell parade. |
Bob goes to Bothell!
My friend Rod enjoys driving his antique fire engine, so every year he joins me at Bothell’s annual 4th of July parade. The weather was wonderful, the kids loved riding in the back of the fire truck, and it was great to see all our friends in Bothell.
Those of you who remember the Kingdome may have used the North Kingdome parking lot when watching the Mariners and Seahawks. Today, Safeco and Qwest fields have replaced the Kingdome, but the North Kingdome parking lot remains. The lot is currently owned by King County and used by the Washington State Public Stadium Authority for event staging and parking.
The Council recently voted to allow King County to enter into an agreement with a qualified developer for purchase of the North Kingdome lot. After a public process of requesting bids for development, the selection committee chose the proposal from the joint venture of Opus Northwest, L.L.C. and Nitze-Stagen and Company, Inc., in cooperation with the Seattle Housing Authority, as providing the best value and development to King County.
I was pleased to co-sponsor the legislation that allowed the sale. The development will encourage much needed urban community in the Pioneer Square neighborhood. The agreement requires ground level retail, affordable housing and shops, and, if determined by the buyer to be economically feasible, the provision of a full service food market. Ten percent of the proceeds from the approximately $10,000,000 sale will be dedicated to Arts in King County. Read more about the Lot at Qwest Field.
Shoreline Solar Project's 4th Annual Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living Fair
I would like to invite you to join me at a fun summer event for a great cause.
The Shoreline Solar Project is kicking-off its fourth annual renewable energy fair on Friday, July 20 at 7:00 p.m., at the Shoreline Center, 18560 1st Avenue N.E. in Shoreline.
The Fair will be open 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 21st at the Meridian Park Elementary School, (16003 Meridian Avenue North in Shoreline). The Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living Fair concentrates on bringing resources to individuals, businesses, and organizations seeking practical solutions to energy consumption and sustainable living. Commercial venders and non-profit organizations are available to share their work and are eager to assist those who want to learn how they can contribute to an energy-conscious society.
This year you can also experience the “The Taste of Shoreline”
sponsored by the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce. This will be the food
service at the fair and will provide small bites of local restaurant specialties.
For more information, please visit the Shoreline Solar Project website
at www.shorelinesolar.org.
There are always opportunities to serve as a volunteer on King County Boards and Commissions that discuss and make recommendations to the Council on a variety of important local issues. This is a great way to stay involved with the community.
There are currently two openings for District 1 citizens on the Transit Advisory Committee. If you are interested in Metro Transit services and policies, I encourage you to apply for this committee. Applications are due by Friday, July 20. To get more information or apply, go to www.Metrokc.gov/kcdot/getinvolved/asac or call Marnie McGrath at (206) 684-1154.
Fourth Annual Shoreline Solar Project's Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living Fair and Taste of Shoreline: Saturday, July 21, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. at Meridian Park Elementary School, 17077 Meridian Ave. N. in Shoreline.
Shoreline Swingin’ Summer Eve: Wednesday, July 25, 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at Cromwell Park, 18009 Meridian Avenue N. in Shoreline. This event includes live music, a barbecue fundraiser by the Shoreline Fire Department, and pre-concert games and activities for children.
Lake City Pioneer Days: Saturday, August 4, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. The 65th annual Lake City Summer Festival celebrating Pioneer Days includes fun for the whole family, including events such as a vintage car show, children's and teen's family fun, street fair with craft & food vendors, senior games, Rotary Kid's Parade, and the Grand Performance Parade at 7 p.m. Come join in the fun! The parade takes place on Lake City Way between N.E. 145th and N.E. 123rd Streets. The Street Fair and Festival will be held at 125th Street from Lake City Way to 27th Avenue N.E.
Celebrate Shoreline: Friday, Saturday & Sunday, August 17 - 19. Help celebrate Shoreline’s 12th birthday! Festivities include a teen skateboard competition at Connie King Skate Park, a 5k walk/run and 10k run, parade, festival at Ridgecrest Elementary, a car show and a sandcastle contest at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park. The theme for 2007 is "Celebrating Shoreline's Cultural Diversity". For details and more information, visit http://www.cityofshoreline.com/parks/info/events/ or call (206) 546-5041.
Bothell RiverFest: Sunday, August 26, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. This annual community event celebrates the end of summer with fun, food, and entertainment. Festivities include a car show, a City of Bothell Show & Tell, a craft & merchants market, inflatable toys and other activities for kids, hobby & volunteer expo, and a concert. Located between Main Street and N.E. 185th Street in downtown Bothell. For more information, visit www.ci.bothell.wa.us or call (425) 486-3256.
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Phone: (206)
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Mailing Address: King County Courthouse, 516 Third Avenue, Room 1200,
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