Dear Neighbors:

The Council’s annual reorganization recently concluded, and I will again be chairing the Operating Budget Committee. The Operating Budget Committee work plan includes review of King County’s public investment practices; implementation of an independent Office of Economic and Financial Analysis to ensure independent revenue forecasts; monitoring the county’s response to the Department of Justice investigation of the alleged violation of constitutional rights of inmates at the King County Correctional Facility; and oversight of the implementation of the Mental Health and Chemical Dependency treatment funds of approximately $54 million that were approved last fall.

In December, the Council reached an agreement with the Port of Seattle to preserve the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Eastside rail corridor for public use. I opposed the County Executive’s proposal to buy sections of the corridor and immediately remove the existing rails. Below is a link to my recent Op-Ed with Councilmember Larry Phillips breaking down the components of the agreement: Guest Columnists: Rail corridor on the right track.

On a lighter note, the Seattle Times recently printed my “First Person” essay about the death of former world chess champion Bobby Fischer.

As always, I welcome your suggestions. I wish you all the best in the New Year.

Bob Ferguson
King County Councilmember, District 1

Application Deadline: February 7th
Flood Control Update – Applying for FEMA Assistance

King County residents and businesses dealing with the aftermath of the December storms are now eligible for federal individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This assistance includes housing and financial resources for eligible flood and storm survivors in our region. In addition to help for families, individuals, and businesses, King County will be receiving federal and state public financial assistance to clean up the mess left by the recent storms and to work at continually improving emergency preparedness.

If you or someone you know suffered damage during the storms, I strongly encourage you check out the King County Office of Emergency Management website for more information and links to register for federal assistance. You can also register by calling FEMA directly at 1-800-621-FEMA or by visiting www.fema.gov/assistance. The deadline to apply for assistance is February 7. When applying for help, you are asked to have the following information available:

• Current phone number
• Both the current address and the address of the damaged property
• Social security number, if available
• General financial information
• Bank account information for direct deposit

In the aftermath of the storms as many of our neighbors were clearing out flood-damaged items from their homes, I was proud to support a temporary fee waiver for residents bringing flood-damaged solid waste to King County’s transfer stations—one small gesture of assistance for individuals who were impacted by the December floods.

Bob and new Seattle City Councilmember Tim Burgess.

Save the Dates - Upcoming Town Halls

My town hall meetings are a great way for you to stay informed about local issues, and for me to hear directly from you. For my Seattle constituents, Seattle City Councilmember Tim Burgess will join me on Wednesday, March 5 at 7:00 p.m. for a town hall at Olympic View Elementary School, 504 N.E. 95th Street in Seattle.

For my Northshore constituents, Lake Forest Park Mayor Dave Hutchinson will join me on Wednesday, April 2 at 7:00 p.m. at Third Place Commons, 17171 Bothell Way N.E. (next to Third Place Books). I hope to see you there! More information will be coming soon.

Public Campaign Financing Update

Last year I introduced campaign finance reform legislation. Specifically, Motion 2007-0430 called for a roadmap for reinstituting public campaign financing in King County. Unfortunately this legislation did not receive a hearing in committee. I have re-introduced it for 2008 and expect it to receive a hearing. The legislation calls for a report on the public financing systems that operated in King County and the City of Seattle prior to 1993 and national models for promoting accountability, accessibility and competition for office through other campaign finance reform measures.

Public campaign financing in King County is currently prohibited by a provision of state Initiative 134, which was adopted by the voters in 1993. The initiative precludes the use of public funds in local campaigns. I support legislation currently at the state Legislature that would repeal this prohibition. This legislation, EHB 1551, would allow local jurisdictions the option of implementing public financing for campaigns. Known as the “local choice bill,” EHB 1551 was passed by the state House of Representatives in late January. Companion legislation, SSB 5278, sponsored by Senator Rosa Franklin, is currently being debated in the state Senate.

I will keep you updated on this good government reform effort as it moves through the Council this year.

All-Mail Voting Update

A delay in certification for the high speed vote-counting equipment King County Elections hopes to purchase in order to make the switch to all-mail voting portends a likely delay of that switch until 2009. Elections officials reported to the County Council that they do not have confidence their existing equipment could handle all-mail elections.

I will keep you updated as we learn more about the timing of certification for this new tabulation equipment and whether the switch to all-mail elections will take place this year. As you know, I support all-mail voting but I have serious reservations about this new equipment. Read more about this issue.

Flood Control Zone District Begins Work

To reduce the likelihood of future flooding disasters, King County will begin implementation of the work plan, recently adopted by the King County Flood Control Zone District, to rebuild and maintain the County’s aging system of levees and hardened embankments that protect residents, businesses, public infrastructure and roads from flooding along major waterways. I sponsored an amendment to make 10 percent of the proceeds from the Flood Control levy--about $30 million annually--available in an “opportunity fund” to address local neighborhood flooding problems as well, like those many of you experienced in the December storm.

If you have recurring flooding in your neighborhood, I encourage you to contact your city’s public works director to encourage him or her to apply for funding from the King County Flood Control Zone District opportunity fund. The preliminary determination of projects that will be funded in 2008 is likely to be made by the Flood Control Advisory Committee this summer. I also encourage you to send your written request for a neighborhood flood control project directly to the staff liaison to the Flood Control Advisory Committee, Mr. Brian Murray of King County Water and Land Resources Division, at Brian.Murray@kingcounty.gov or by mail: Water and Land Resources Division Attn: Brian Murray, Flood Control Advisory Committee Coordinator, 201 S. Jackson St., Suite 600, Seattle, WA 98104.

Riding the Dipper in District One

A view of the Dipper, an 85-foot roller coaster that was part of the historical Playland Amusement Park. Photo courtesy of the Shoreline Historical Museum.

A District One historical treasure is attracting new attention. Longtime residents may remember queasy stomachs from too many rides on the Dipper roller coaster, or being soaked after a day on the Shoot the Chutes water ride. Open every summer from 1931 to 1961, Playland Amusement Park was located on the south shore of Bitter Lake in the Broadview neighborhood, stretching from approximately Greenwood to Linden Avenue, north of 130th. Since the closure of Playland, and subsequent development in the area around Bitter Lake, all traces of what had previously been there have vanished.

Take a step back in time with Greg Brotherton. Greg is a local filmmaker, who recently won a $4,200 Heritage Special Projects grant from 4Culture to help him complete his 30-minute documentary “Finding Playland.” You can read more information about Greg’s film in the Seattle Times. Greg hopes to have the film completed around June of 2008. If you have memories of Playland you wish to share, you can get in touch with Greg by e-mail at gregory.brotherton@gmail.com.

Additionally, the Shoreline Historical Museum has an archive of Playland photos and memorabilia.

Get Involved!

From time to time my constituents write and ask how they can get involved in local government. Here are a few opportunities:

• King County Civil Rights Commission Seeks Applicants

The Martin Luther King, Jr. County Civil Rights Commission is accepting applications for commissioners and would like to encourage individuals in King County Council Districts 1, 6, 7, and 9, to consider public service on the Commission. Members are nominated by Councilmembers representing each of the King County Council Districts, while the remaining three serve as at-large members, selected by the County Executive. For more information on the Commission, please visit: http://www.metrokc.gov/dias/crc. To locate your Council District, please visit: http://www.kingcounty.gov/council.aspx. For more information please contact Paula Harris-White, Administrator at 206-296-8610 or Paula.Harris-White@kingcounty.gov.

• Interested in King County Policy?

If you are interested in County policy decisions, I encourage you to participate in the Countywide Community Forums. Born out of Initiative 24, the first small group discussions will be held only after 1,000 people have signed up to participate. The first topic scheduled for discussion is transportation. Many of you have creative ideas and this is a great place to have your voice heard. Learn More...

• Bothell Advisory Boards and Commissions Openings

The City of Bothell will accept applications from January 2 through February 15, 2008 for several advisory boards and commissions. Learn More...

About my E-Newsletter
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Phone: (206) 296-1001 | Fax: (206) 296-0198 | TTY/TDD: (206) 296-1024 | Toll Free: (800) 325-6165
Mailing Address: King County Courthouse, 516 Third Avenue, Room 1200, Seattle, WA 98104-3272