Dear District 2 Friends and Neighbors:

Please join me on Tuesday, March 15, 2005, for a Community Town Meeting with Seattle City Councilmember Peter Steinbrueck. Our meeting will be held from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Olympic View Elementary School (504 N.E. 95th Street). I hope you can attend!

My current print newsletter focuses on election reform and should be in your mailbox soon. If you do not receive the newsletter, please visit my website to view online or contact my office and we will mail you a copy.

I hope you enjoy District 2 E-News. Please contact me with any questions or comments. To unsubscribe, please see directions at the end of this message.

Election Reform Update

This week, I introduced bipartisan legislation with my colleagues Councilmembers Julia Patterson (D) and Kathy Lambert (R) to amend the 2005 King County Legislative Agenda to include key election reforms that can only be changed at the State level. This package advocates:

• An earlier primary election
• Increased time for election certification from ten to fifteen days
• The flexibility for Counties to conduct certain elections entirely by mail
• The State to reimburse the County for their share of even-year election costs

My election reform newsletter is now available online. The newsletter includes a survey that can also be completed online. I hope you will take the time to complete the survey and help guide public policy changes to our election system.

On my website, I have also posted election reform information including links to the 2004 Report on King County Elections and other resources. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions regarding the survey or newsletter.

In the News:
“Sensible election safeguards are needed
King County Journal – February 9, 2005

Maritime Heritage Task Force

I recently began work on the Maritime Heritage Task Force formed by 4 Culture. 4 Culture is the cultural services agency for King County. The task force will meet through June, 2005, to determine ways to sustain and create a vibrant maritime heritage presence in King County by involving museums, historic vessel restoration groups, and other committed organizations. We are also studying successful maritime heritage centers across the nation. I am pleased to be involved with this committee and for the opportunity to help preserve Puget Sound’s important maritime heritage.

Downtown Bus Tunnel Closure This Fall

This September, the downtown Metro Transit bus tunnel will close for two years while being upgraded and retrofitted for light rail capacity. During the closure, 21 bus routes will be moved from the tunnel to downtown surface streets. For North Seattle bus routes 41, 71, 72, and 73, Third Avenue will be utilized during the bus tunnel closure. Third Avenue will become a transit priority corridor during both morning and evening commutes.

I questioned transit officials at a recent Council Transportation Committee meeting regarding how much time will be added to a typical commute. They estimate that the tunnel closure will add an additional four to six minutes to bus route 41 which serves Northgate. I take the #41 bus to work and I am concerned about additional commute time because of the bus tunnel closure. For more information, please visit the King County Department of Transportation Website and Metro Transit Website.

In the News:
June rehearsal for shutdown of bus tunnel
The Seattle Times – February 24, 2005

In the Community

Lakeside School— Washington State Chess Champions!

I am pleased to announce that last weekend Lakeside School won the 2005 Washington State High School Chess Championships. This is their sixth straight State Championship. I am particularly proud because I am the Coach for the Lakeside Team. The members of the team are David Wyde, Ben Wyde, Marcel Knudsen, Ben Bishop, and Michael Spillane. Ben Bishop lives in District 2 and is co-captain of the team.

David Wyde won the individual Washington State High School Chess Championship and will represent the State of Washington at the National Individual Championship. Congratulations Lakeside Chess!

In the News:
Lakeside edges Garfield for state chess championship
The Seattle Times – February 28, 2005

District 2 Arts & Heritage Highlight: The Burke Museum

The Burke Museum located on the University of Washington campus is a Washington State museum of anthropology and natural history, with research in anthropology, biological science, geological science, and Pacific Rim areas.

I toured the Burke Museum last year and viewed the impressive large collection of rare birds as well as the general public exhibits.

The Burke Museum is located on the University of Washington campus near the corner of 17th Avenue N.E. and N.E. 45th Street. The museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, please visit www.burkemuseum.org or contact 206.543.5540.

To subscribe/unsubscribe/change email address/make comments: simply reply to this message.

Phone: (206) 296-1002 | 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