Dear Neighbor:

I have frequently written regarding my legislative efforts to provide individuals struggling with mental illness and chemical dependency with greater treatment options, thus protecting the public and helping reduce the number of people cycling through the county’s jails and hospitals.

The council recently took action to release an estimated $50 million a year for mental health and chemical dependency services. The council approved the two final elements of a three-phase action plan, culminating two years of planning, analysis, and community involvement to ensure the sound investment of public sales tax dollars for mental health and chemical dependency.

For a good summary of how these funds will improve the lives of individuals throughout King County, check out Jerry Large’s article in the Seattle Times and Carol Smith’s article in the Seattle PI.

Next week the council will receive the executive’s proposed 2009 budget. I recently mailed a newsletter to my constituents regarding the budget, and I will continue to keep you updated. In the meantime, please make a special note of the public hearings that will be held this month and in early November to receive public comment on the proposed budget. For a helpful summary of the current budget situation, check out Keith Ervin’s recent Seattle Times article.

Sincerely,

Bob Ferguson
King County Councilmember, District 1

Food Lifeline Award and Challenge

I joined Mayors Cindy Ryu (Shoreline), Dave Hutchinson (Lake Forest Park), and Dave Baker (Kenmore), at the Food Sort Challenge at Food Lifeline in Shoreline.

In September, I had the opportunity to participate in two Food Lifeline events. At the Bag Hunger Luncheon, I received an Ending Hunger Award. Food Lifeline provides critical services to many people in our region, and I am honored to have been recognized by such a fine organization.

On September 23, my staff and I visited Food Lifeline’s Shoreline facility. We participated in a Food Sort Challenge against the North King County mayors and other officials. The two teams packed over 3,000 pounds of food. The mayors finished packing their items first due to their larger numbers, which they supplemented with ringers from their staff and city councils. Next year I will be sure to review their team roster prior to the event!

Levy Helps Fund Lake City Housing for Veterans

I attended the McDermott Place groundbreaking event in Lake City, along with Therese McDermott and members of the Veterans Levy Oversight Board (L to R) Stanley Gunno, Bill Wood, Gary Kingsbury and Doug Hoople.

I have a particular interest in veterans issues, and on October 2, I was proud to speak at the groundbreaking ceremony for McDermott Place, an affordable housing development for low-income and homeless individuals in Lake City. McDermott Place will provide 75 permanent affordable housing units for homeless individuals, with 38 of the units designated specifically for veterans. Supportive services, including employment and job training, will also be provided at the site.

A regional effort helped acquire the funds needed for this development. I am proud to report that $1.48 million from the King County Veterans and Human Services Levy was used to help fund McDermott Place. Congratulations to the Low Income Housing Institute and North Helpline for your efforts to make this project a reality.

In 2005, I sponsored legislation to place the Veterans Levy on the ballot. It passed with nearly 60% of the vote. It is great to see your investment being put to such good use.

Comprehensive Plan Update

On October 6, the council completed the 2008 King County Comprehensive Plan (KCCP) Update. The KCCP is the guiding policy document for all land use and development regulations in unincorporated King County and for regional services. The KCCP is updated annually for minor and technical amendments. Major updates, such as those that occurred this year, take place every four years. Please read here for more information about the council’s action on this issue.

Recent District Outings

In addition to volunteering at Food Lifeline in Shoreline, I enjoyed participating in several other events in District One. Here are a few examples of where I have been recently:

• On September 26, the Westhill Sportsfields in Bothell were renamed the Doug Allen Sportsfields. I attended the dedication program, along with members of Doug’s family, the Bothell City Council, the Parks and Recreation Board, and city staff. Doug was a former Bothell Parks Department maintenance worker who passed away tragically in an auto accident last year. This past summer the County Council authorized the transfer of the Westhill Park to the city of Bothell, and the Bothell City Council voted unanimously to rename the park’s sportsfields the Doug Allen Sportsfields.

• On October 4, I spoke at the grand opening of the new Dale Turner Family YMCA in Shoreline. Located at 19290 Aurora Avenue North, the new YMCA is a state-of-the-art facility featuring a fully accessible swimming pool, pinnacle climbing wall, teen center, teaching kitchen, and a health and wellness center. It is an extremely valuable community asset for Shoreline and surrounding areas. Named after the late Reverend Dale Turner, who lived in Lake Forest Park, the new YMCA honors Turner's legacy of community service.

• I was a guest at the Licton Springs Community Council (LSCC) meeting in North Seattle. I had the opportunity to address questions on topics ranging from Metro bus service and the King County Elections Department, to the current budget situation. LSCC meetings provide Licton Springs neighbors with the opportunity to stay informed and engaged about local issues. For more information about the organization, you can visit the LSCC website.

• I attended a Shoreline Council of Neighborhoods meeting to discuss issues related to county government and answer questions. We discussed the King County budget, buses, and the impact of county services in the Shoreline community. The Council of Neighborhoods consists of representatives from each of Shoreline’s neighborhood associations and is a great forum for connecting citizens and promoting neighborhood involvement.

• This Saturday I will be attending the Kenmore History Walk dedication at Log Boom Park. Hosted by the Kenmore Heritage Society and the city of Kenmore, the event will celebrate the new Kenmore History Walk which includes a series of ten panels telling the story of Kenmore “from Ice Age to incorporation.” The public is invited to the dedication ceremony which will begin at 10 a.m.

Mortgage Assistance Information

There has been a lot of news coverage recently about the state of the local and national housing markets. I want to share information about federal legislation that recently passed, which will allow the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to provide targeted mortgage assistance to homeowners that may be at risk of foreclosure. Called “Hope for Homeowners,” the new federal program will make certain borrowers facing difficulty with their mortgage eligible to refinance into FHA-insured mortgages they can afford. More information is available by calling the FHA at (800) CALL-FHA or by clicking here.

Around District One and King County

• The 11th Annual Hamlin Halloween Haunt will be on Friday, October 24, at Hamlin Park, 16006 15th Avenue Northeast in Shoreline from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Bring a flashlight, dress warmly, and do not forget your roasting stick for marshmallows.

• The Annual Harvest Festival and Pumpkin Painting Contest will take place at the Bothell Country Village Shops on Saturday, October 11 and Sunday, October 12. The Festival will feature 40 craft booths with locally hand made products, music, glass blowing, pony rides, train rides, and specialty foods including roasted corn on the cob.

• The North Helpline/Lake City Food Bank accepts donations of home grown fruit and vegetables. If you have an abundant harvest, you can take produce to North Helpline at 12707 30th Avenue Northeast in Seattle.

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