Dear Neighbors:

Thanks to the over 60 neighbors who attended my recent Transportation Town Meeting with guest King County Councilmember Dwight Pelz at Eckstein Middle School. It was great to see such a nice turnout on a beautiful spring evening.

Many neighbors came with questions about the 520 Bridge Replacement Project. I currently serve as a member of the Executive Committee and will be voting later this year on the preferred bridge replacement design. For those interested in learning more about the 520 Bridge Replacement Project, please attend the upcoming Open House that will be held Tuesday, June 28, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Museum of History & Industry (2700 – 24th Avenue East).

It is an honor to serve you on the King County Council. Please contact me with any questions or comments. To unsubscribe, please see directions at the end of this newsletter.

Independent Audit of Elections Department Underway!
My proposal for the independent audit of King County Elections has become a reality. In May, we received four applications and interviewed potential companies. On May 23, the King County Council unanimously agreed to hire The Election Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and improving democracy, and Strategica of Issaquah, an organization focused on management audits.

The audit is underway with completion by October 1, 2005, and preliminary memorandums are expected before this date. The audit will analyze the 2004 General Election and provide a road map for change and improvement. Specifically, the audit will examine management, organizational structure, staffing levels and competencies, training, policies, security and facilities.

I am pleased that my idea of the independent audit has become a reality. I was particularly proud that the proposal received unanimous, bipartisan support. This audit will provide the factual, independent information that is necessary for real change in our elections department and ensure every legal vote is counted in King County.

Transitional Housing for Homeless
The Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness in King County was released this past March. The report represents a collaborative effort of human service providers, homeless advocates, and civic leaders, to provide a blueprint for ending the cycle of homelessness. The plan calls for housing and support services to help this effort.

In May, I announced a proposal to designate a Council reserve fund to purchase transitional housing for the homeless. My proposal is modeled after the Aloha Inn, a successful transitional housing program in Seattle, and the facilities would include services such as drug treatment, mental counseling, and employment assistance. Ongoing costs will be paid by savings from the Council reduction from 13 to 9 members which will be implemented this January.

The Aloha Inn, purchased by the City of Seattle in response to the first Tent City in the early 1980’s, is a great model for where the County can begin. The Aloha Inn has successfully helped hundreds of homeless men and women find permanent, affordable housing by providing transitional housing with appropriate support services.

My proposal will designate funding from a Council reserve of $3.4 million dollars and will not raise taxpayer dollars. I hope my colleagues support my proposal to help break the cycle of homelessness.

In the News:
Let's use surplus to aid homeless, councilman says
The Seattle Times – May 13, 2005

King County Council looks at alternative to tent cities
Puget Sound Business Journal – May 13, 2005

No Closures for Seattle Schools!
I’m pleased the Seattle Public School District decided not to go ahead with the proposed school closure and consolidation plan. I heard from many neighbors about this issue and I agreed that community schools should remain open. I understand the Seattle School District is trying to balance their budget which is currently at a deficit of $20 million, but it should not occur on the backs of thousands of displaced students.

Three of the proposed closures were in my district, Daniel Bagley Elementary, John Marshall Alternative High School, and Summit K-12. To show my support, I participated in a video for Daniel Bagley Elementary. In addition, I walked the neighborhoods near the proposed school closures to speak with parents and community members. I also wrote to the School Board to show my support for keeping our neighborhood schools open.

I was impressed with the public response to this issue that clearly influenced the decision. Congratulations to the active community members who persuaded the Seattle School Board to support our community schools.

King County Women’s Advisory Board Vacancy
Would you like to serve on the Women’s Advisory Board? The District 2 position will soon be vacant. I am looking for a community member to appoint to this position who would like to make recommendations to the King County Council and Executive on behalf of women to ensure the needs and rights of women are being met by the County.

Currently, the Women’s Advisory Board projects include community outreach and analyzing services for women in the King County Adult Detention System. Meetings are held the first Thursday of each month, 6:45 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. at Safeco Center (306 – 23rd Avenue South, Suite 200). Please contact my office if you are interested in applying.

Volunteering at North Seattle Family Center
My staff and I recently had the opportunity to volunteer at the North Seattle Family Center just off of Lake City Way at 3200 Northeast 125th Street. After meeting with staff and touring the facility, we spent the afternoon spring cleaning the offices and family rooms, vacuuming and carpet cleaning. That night, the North Seattle Family Center hosted a movie night for the families who utilize the Center.

Bob and staff spring clean the North Seattle Family Center for the family movie night.

The North Seattle Family Center is a collaborative program of Children’s Home Society of Washington and is made possible by the voters of Seattle through the Families and Education Levy. The Center provides support for families including CPR, parenting, citizenship tutoring, and cooking classes. To volunteer, please contact Derek Wentorf, Volunteer Coordinator, at (206) 364-7930.

Arts & Heritage Highlight: Henry Art Gallery
The Henry Art Gallery was founded in 1927 as the first public art museum in Washington State. Currently on display is the “Doug Aitken: interiors” exhibit consisting of video installations, four scenes cycling across three screens portraying actors wandering through stark landscapes and interiors. Also on display is the “Playtime” exhibit, a witty and absurd collection of playful sculptures of toys and games.

The Henry Art Gallery is located on the University of Washington campus at 15th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 41st Street.

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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